Visual-Baseball

Welcome to the second countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1960s. After decades with eight teams per league, the 1960s brought two waves of expansion – two new AL teams in 1961, two new NL teams in 1962, and two more for both in 1969. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1960s (1960-1969), a total of 198 teams were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 10% for the decade. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #10 through #6.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1960s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#10: 1964 Chicago White Sox, 50.4 WAR162

The 1964 White Sox lost the pennant by a single game to the Yankees, with the Baltimore Orioles another game back in a torrid race.

The Sox offense was limited, as their 642 runs ranked 7th in the league, and their 106 homers ranked 9th in the 10-team AL. Their best offensive categories were OBP (3rd), walks (1st), and strikeouts (1st). This was an offense that made contact and drew walks to compete with their AL rivals. Pitching was the major strength for the Chicagoans, with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.102 WHIP, numbers that easily topped the AL. The Chicago staff was very stingy with walks and also yielded the fewest hits of any team.

Ron Hansen and Pete Ward were the team’s offensive leaders, aided by Floyd Robinson. Hansen (20 homers, 85 runs) played well at shortstop, and Ward (23 homers, 94 RBI, .282 BA) added plenty of production from third base. Robinson batted .301 with a .388 OBP to round out the Sox’s top producers. On the mound, Gary Peters authored a 20-8 record and 2.50 ERA, while Joe Horlen won 13 with a sparkling 1.88 ERA and the AL’s top WHIP and hits per 9 innings numbers. Juan Pizarro went 19-9, John Buzhardt added 10 wins, and knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm saved 21 games at age 41.

#9: 1961 Detroit Tigers, 50.5 WAR162

The 1961 Tigers won 101 games but still finished 8 games behind a powerful Yankees squad in the AL pennant chase. The Tigers’ win projection was 98, so they had a bit of good fortune, but were still a strong team.

Offense powered the Tigers to their 101 wins, as their 841 runs led the AL. Their 180 homers trailed the slugging Yankees and Angels, but they led the league in BA and OBP while placing second in OPS. Detroit’s pitching was solid, with third-place rankings in ERA and WHIP, and the top spot in strikeout-to-walk rate, courtesy of issuing the fewest free passes in the AL.

First baseman Norm Cash had a career year, leading the AL in BA (.361), OBP (.487), and OPS (1.148) while slugging 41 homers with 132 RBI and 119 runs scored. Al Kaline also had a fine season, batting .324 with a league-best 41 doubles and Gold Glove defense, and Rocky Colavito was close behind after slugging 45 homers with 140 RBI while batting .290. This trio accounted for more than 80% of the Tigers’ positional WAR. The pitching staff was led by Frank Lary (23-9), who tossed an AL-best 22 complete games. Don Mossi topped the AL in the fewest walks per 9 innings metric while winning 15, and Jim Bunning posted a 17-11 record.

#8: 1963 Minnesota Twins, 50.7 WAR162

The 1963 Twins finished third in the American League pennant race, 15.5 games back of the Yankees. However, the Twins were a very unlucky team for the season, finishing 7 games below their projected win figure. The Yankees were slightly lucky on the year (+4 wins over projection); put those together and the Twins were just two games worse than the Yanks.

The Twins were a strong offensive club, leading the AL with 767 runs, 53 more than the Yankees. They clobbered 222 homers to easily top the AL, and they ranked first in BA and OPS, and a close second in OBP. Their pitching was above average, but not exceptional – third in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Bob Allison had a fine season, leading the AL in runs (99) and OPS (.911) after a 35-homer season. Jimmie Hall added 33 homers in his rookie year, and catcher Earl Battey added 26 more round-trippers. Harmon Killebrew led the AL with 45 homers, and Rich Rollins batted .307. Camilo Pascual was the ace of the pitching staff, going 21-9 and leading the league with 18 complete games and 202 strikeouts. Dick Stigman (15) and Lee Stange (12) combined for 27 wins.

#7: 1963 St. Louis Cardinals, 51.1 WAR162

The 1963 Cardinals were the runner-up to the Dodgers in the NL, as the Dodgers were 7 games over their win projection, and the Cardinals were one below their projected 94 wins.

The Cardinals led the NL with 747 runs, and also led the league in doubles and triples. They also topped the league in BA and OBP, and finished a single point behind the Giants in OPS. The pitching staff was rather average, finishing 7th in ERA, 5th in WHIP, and 6th in strikeout-to-walk rate.

Dick Groat, Bill White, Curt Flood, and Ken Boyer all provided offensive firepower as well as defensive skill. Groat led the way (.319 BA, 43 doubles (NL-best), 85 runs), while White picked up a Gold Glove in addition to slugging 27 homers with 109 RBI. Flood was also a Gold Glove winner, while batting .302 with 112 runs, and Ken Boyer picked up a Gold Glove to go with 24 homers and 111 RBI. On the mound, it was primarily Curt Simmons and Bob Gibson leading the way. Simmons posted a 15-9 record with 6 shutouts and a 2.48 ERA, and Gibson racked up 18 wins.

#6: 1962 San Francisco Giants, 52.0 WAR

The 1962 Giants defeated their Los Angeles rivals in a single-game playoff to claim the NL pennant. They then lost a heartbreaking 7-game World Series to the Yankees.

The Giants topped the league with 878 runs, 36 more than the Dodgers. They also launched 204 homers and swept the BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS categories behind a deep offense. The Giants ERA ranked just 6th in the NL, but they were 2nd in WHIP. Still, it was the offense that made the Giants pennant winners.

Willie Mays recorded one of his best seasons, mashing an NL-best 49 homers, with 141 RBI, 130 runs, 18 stolen bases, and a .304 BA, plus a Gold Glove in center field. Right fielder Felipe Alou batted .316 with 25 home runs and 98 RBI, and third baseman added a Gold Glove to go with his .297 BA. The Giants pitching was led by the trio of Billy O’Dell (19-14), Juan Marichal (18-11), and Jack Sanford (24-7). All three had ERAs in the mid-3s, so they weren’t dominant, just solid.

Summary

That’s it for the third entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1960s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #5 to #1, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

Welcome to the first countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1960s. After decades with eight teams per league, the 1960s brought two waves of expansion – two new AL teams in 1961, two new NL teams in 1962, and two more for both in 1969. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1960s (1960-1969), a total of 198 teams were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 10% for the decade. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #20 through #16.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1960s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#20: 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers, 47.3 WAR162

The 1965 Dodgers held off the rival Giants by two games to claim the NL pennant. The Dodgers projected as a 92-win team, so they were fortunate to win 97 games, but they made the most of it by defeating the Twins in a 7-game World Series.

Offense was not a strength for the Dodgers – their 608 runs placed 8th in a 10-team league, and they hit the fewest homers in the NL. Even within the pitching-friendly environment at Dodger Stadium, these were low numbers. The Dodgers ranked 7th, 6th, and 8th, respectively, in BA, OBP, and OPS. Fortunately, they had exceptional pitching, with league-leading numbers in ERA, WHIP, and shutouts, and ranked near the top in strikeouts and walks.

Maury Wills swiped 94 bases to lead the NL, while batting .286 and scoring 92 runs. His double-play partner Jim Lefebvre was effective at second base, earning Rookie of the Year honors, and Ron Fairly batted .274 with a .361 OBP. Additional support came from veteran Jim Gilliam (.280 BA), Wes Parker, and Willie Davis (25 steals). Interestingly, Wills, Lefebvre, Gilliam, and Parker were all switch-hitters, while Davis and Fairly batted from the left side. Sandy Koufax had a monster season, going 26-8 with a 2.04 ERA, 382 strikeouts, and a 0.855 WHIP, topping the NL in each category and winning the Cy Young award. Don Drysdale was an excellent second option, going 23-12 with a 2.77 ERA, and Claude Osteen added another 15 wins with a 2.79 ERA.

#19: 1968 St. Louis Cardinals, 47.8 WAR162

The Cardinals repeated as NL champs, defeating the Giants by 9 games before losing to the Tigers in a dramatic 7-game World Series.

The Cardinals’ offense was quite average, tying for fourth in runs scored, and ranking just 8th (of 10) in home runs. They did place second in stolen bases, but were fourth or worse in BA, OBP, and OPS. The pitching was exceptional, even by the standards of the so-called Year of the Pitcher (NL-average ERA of 2.99). The Cards’ ERA of 2.49 topped the league, as did their 1.120 WHIP and 30 shutouts. They also ranked near the top in strikeouts and walks.

Lou Brock led the league in three metrics – doubles (46), triples (14), and steals (62). Outfield mate Curt Flood batted .301, and Mike Shannon had 15 homers and 79 RBI. Bob Gibson compiled a season for the ages with a 22-9 mark, 268 strikeouts, 13 shutouts, and a 1.12 ERA on his way to Cy Young and MVP honors. Ray Washburn posted a 14-8 record with a 2.26 ERA, and a young Steve Carlton provided a glimpse of the future with 13 wins.

#18: 1967 San Francisco Giants, 48.0 WAR162

The Giants finished second in the 1967 NL pennant race, trailing the Cardinals by 10.5 games. According to Pythagorean projections, the gap should have been about 4 games, but the Cardinals were clearly the better club.

The Giants were a middle-of-the-pack offensive team, ranking 4th in runs and OPS, 6th in BA, and 5th in OBP. The team did have some power, trailing only the Braves in home runs. Pitching made the Giants a contender, as their 2.92 ERA and 1.177 WHIP topped the league. They ranked a bit lower in other metrics, but always above the NL average.

Third baseman Jim Ray Hart had a fine season, belting 29 homers to go with a .289 BA, 99 homers, and 98 runs scored. Willie McCovey led the Giants with 31 homers while batting .276 with 91 RBI, and 36-year-old Willie Mays added 22 homers. Tom Haller had an all-star season behind the plate, adding 14 homers to the mix. Gaylord Perry had a bad-luck 15-17 record despite his 2.61 ERA, while Ray Sadecki won 12 with a 2.78 ERA, and Mike McCormick claimed the Cy Young with a 22-10 mark and 2.85 ERA. Juan Marichal had a quiet season by his lofty standards, posting a 14-10 mark with a 2.76 ERA. He also posted the highest strikeout-to-walk rate in the NL. This foursome provided the Giants with a deep and consistent pitching staff for the 1967 season.

#17: 1966 Baltimore Orioles, 48.0 WAR162

The 1966 Orioles topped the AL, beating the Twins by a solid 9-game margin to claim the AL pennant. The O’s then stunned the Dodgers in a 4-game World Series sweep.

The 1966 edition of the Orioles had a strong offense relative to their AL rivals. Their 755 runs were 36 more than the Tigers managed, and they finished just behind Detroit with 175 homers on the season. The team also led the AL with 243 doubles, and made a clean sweep of the BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS categories. The Orioles’ pitching was decidedly more ordinary, but possessed some young talent that would emerge over the next several seasons. The O’s ranked 4th in ERA and WHIP, and second in strikeouts behind the Indians.

Triple Crown winner Frank Robinson was the offensive standout, leading the league in numerous batting metrics. Robinson batted .316 with a .410 OBP, 1.047 OPS, 122 runs scored, and 49 homers with 122 RBI on his way to MVP honors. His primary support came from defensive standout Brooks Robinson (23 homers, 100 RBI) and slugging first baseman Boog Powell (34 homers, 109 RBI). Shortstop Luis Aparicio added speed to the O’s lineup, swiping 25 bases and scoring 97 runs. The pitching staff was led by veteran Steve Barber, who posted a 10-5 record with 3 shutouts and a 2.30 ERA. Youngsters Dave McNally (age 23, 13-6 record) and Jim Palmer (age 20, 15-10 mark) provided a glimpse of future greatness on the mound for the Orioles.

#16: 1965 Pittsburgh Pirates, 48.1 WAR

The Pirates finished third in the 1965 NL pennant race, trailing the Dodgers by 7 games and the Giants by 5 games. However, Pythagorean win projections have the Dodgers and Pirates at 92 wins, and the Giants at 91. The Dodgers and Giants had some favorable luck on their side; the Pirates did not.

The Pirates were not impressive offensively, finishing 5th in runs, 6th in homers, and 3rd in OPS. They were a bit better in the BA and OBP categories, ranking second behind the Reds. The Pirates’ pitching was solid, with the second-best NL ERA and 3rd-place rankings in shutouts and WHIP. The staff was average at best in the walk and strikeout categories.

Roberto Clemente led the NL with a .329 average while scoring 91 runs and adding 14 triples along with his superlative defense. Young shortstop Gene Alley provided excellent defense, and Willie Stargell bopped 27 homers with 107 RBI. Catcher Jim Pagliaroni added 17 homers, and Donn Clendenon had 17 homers and a .301 BA. Vern Law had a terrific age-35 season, posting a 17-9 record with a 2.15 ERA, while Bob Veale went 17-12 with a 2.84 ERA despite leading the NL by dishing out 119 walks. Veale yielded just 5 home runs in 266 innings on the season, striking out 276 batters.

Summary

That’s it for the first entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1960s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #15 to #11, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

Welcome to the third countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1950s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1950s (1950-1959), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #10 through #6.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1950s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#10: 1954 Chicago White Sox, 52.3 WAR162

The White Sox won 94 games in 1954, and were projected for 98, and finished just third in the AL pennant race behind the Indians (111-43) and Yankees (103-51). However, the ’54 season set the table for multiple Southside Chicago contenders for the rest of the decade.

The White Sox were not a prolific offensive team; their 711 runs were well behind both the Yankees and Indians. They did rank second in BA and OBP, but just fourth in OPS due to a lack of home-run power. The Sox excelled in stealing bases compared to their rivals in the decade, and piled up 98 in the 1954 season. Pitching was a comparative strength, as the team’s 3.05 ERA and 1.281 WHIP trailed only the Indians. They were first in both strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk rate for the season.

Outfielder Minnie Minoso was the offensive leader for the team, recording 119 runs scored, 116 RBI, 19 triples (AL-best), and 20 homers to go with a .320 BA. Chico Carrasquel (.348 OBP) at shortstop and Nellie Fox (.319 BA) at second formed a strong defensive pair in the middle of the infield. On the mound, Virgil Trucks was the top gun, recording a 19-12 record with a 2.79 ERA at age 37. Jack Harshman went 14-8 with a 2.95 ERA to provide further support.

#9: 1955 New York Yankees, 52.7 WAR162

The rest of this countdown post features four Yankees teams ranked #9 through #6, starting with the 1955 club. The Yankees won the AL pennant by three games over the Indians (and five ahead of the White Sox) before dropping the World Series in a 7-game thriller versus the Dodgers.

The Yankees easily led the AL with 175 homers and finished second in runs scored, behind the Tigers. Their mediocre BA (.260) and OBP (.340) were offset by a league-best .758 OPS, courtesy of the team’s long-ball power. The pitching staff had a strong season, leading the AL in ERA and hits per 9 innings, but finished just third in WHIP due to a high propensity to issue walks.

Mickey Mantle had a big season, leading the AL in OBP, SLG, OPS, walks, triples, and home runs. Gil McDougald (.361 OBP), Hank Bauer (20 homers), and Yogi Berra (27 homers, 108 RBI) provided strong offensive and defensive support for the Yanks. Whitey Ford was the standout on the mound, authoring an 18-7 record with 18 complete games (AL-best) while Bob Turley posted a 17-13 campaign. Both Ford (113) and Turley (AL-high 177) were prone to issuing free passes to batters, but excelled despite their control issues.

#8: 1957 New York Yankees, 52.8 WAR162

The 1957 Yankees claimed the AL pennant by 8 games over the White Sox, their third consecutive pennant, and a remarkable 7th since 1950. Only the 1954 Indians kept the Yankees from winning every pennant of the decade through 1957. Unfortunately, the Yankees were defeated by the Milwaukee Braves in a 7-game World Series.

The Yankees’ offense ranked at or near the top in most categories in 1957 – first in runs, triples, BA, SLG, and OPS, and second in homers and OBP. The pitching staff carved out a 3.00 ERA, far ahead of the White Sox’s 3.35. The staff also earned the most saves (42), and yielded the fewest hits per 9 innings (7.7). They ranked third in WHIP due to issuing lots of walks and ranked second in strikeouts.

Mickey Mantle had one of his greatest seasons, earning AL MVP honors with 121 runs, 146 walks (both AL-best), and batting .365 with a 1.177 OPS. Gil McDougald had another strong season, batting .289 with a .362 OBP from his shortstop position, and Yogi Berra (24) and Bill Skowron (17, .304 BA) added home run power to the mix. Tom Sturdivant led the way on the mound, posting a 16-6 mark with a 2.54 ERA, and Bobby Shantz went 11-5 with a league-best 2.45 ERA. Bob Turley (13-6, 2.71 ERA) and Whitey Ford (11-5 in just 129 innings) rounded out a balanced staff.

#7: 1958 New York Yankees, 52.8 WAR162

The 1958 Yankees land at #7, just ahead of the 1957 team. The 1958 team was projected to win 96 games based on run differential, but still cruised to the title 10 games ahead of the White Sox. The New Yorkers then avenged their prior year World Series defeat by topping the Braves in seven games.

The Yankees easily topped the AL with 759 runs scored, 62 more than the Red Sox. They also topped the AL with 164 homers, a .268 BA, .416 SLG, and .751 OPS. The pitching staff once again topped the AL in ERA, as well as shutouts and saves, while placing second in strikeouts and third in WHIP.

Once again, Mickey Mantle led the Yankees offense, belting 42 home runs, scoring 127 runs, drawing 129 walks (all AL-best) while batting .304 with a 1.035 OPS. Norm Siebern turned in a fine age-24 season, with a .300 BA, and Yogi Berra had 22 homers and 90 RBI from the catcher position. Elston Howard batted .314 as a utility player, and Andy Carey slugged 12 homers with 45 RBI in just 366 plate appearances. The pitching was again led by Whitey Ford (14-7, AL-best 2.01 ERA with 7 shutouts) and Cy Young winner Bob Turley (21-7, 2.97 ERA).

#6: 1952 New York Yankees, 52.9 WAR

The 1952 Yankees continue our run of consecutive teams from the Bronx. The Yankees topped Cleveland in a hotly contested pennant race, claiming the pennant by a two-game margin. They then went on to defeat the Dodgers in a 7-game World Series.

The Yankees had a very good offense in 1952, although they trailed the Indians in both runs and home runs. The 1952 team boasted the league’s highest BA and ranked second in OPS, close behind the Indians. Pitching was a strength, with the staff leading the AL in ERA and shutouts, while ranking third in WHIP and strikeout-to-walk rate.

The offense was led by the 20-year-old Mickey Mantle, who batted .311 with an AL-best .924 OPS, and veteran catcher Yogi Berra, who slugged 30 homers and accumulated 98 RBI. Shortstop Phil Rizzuto had a fine age-34 season, stealing 17 bases and scoring 89 runs while playing excellent defense. More depth was provided by Hank Bauer (.293 BA, 17 homers), Gene Woodling (.309 BA, .397 OBP), and Gil McDougald (11 homers, 78 RBI). Allie Reynolds led the league with a 2.06 ERA and 6 shutouts while compiling a 20-8 record at age 35. Vic Raschi contributed 16 more wins, and Eddie Lopat added 10 as a capable third starter.

Summary

That’s it for the third entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1950s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #5 to #1, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

Welcome to the first countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1950s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1950s (1950-1959), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #20 through #16.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1950s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#20: 1957 Chicago White Sox, 49.4 WAR162

The 1957 White Sox had a fine season, but finished second, 8 games behind the Yankees. This edition was part of a group of very competitive Chicago teams starting in the mid-50s, and including the 1954 and 1955 teams.

The Sox had a good offense, finishing third in runs behind the Yankees and Red Sox, and easily leading the league in stolen bases. They ranked third in BA and OPS, but first in walks and OBP; the team was built on reaching base and manufacturing runs. Pitching was a strength, although the team’s 3.35 ERA was a distant second to the Yankees. The White Sox staff led the AL in shutouts and ranked second in WHIP.

Nellie Fox and Minnie Minoso were the star position players for Chicago, with Fox batting .317 (.403 OBP) and scoring 110 runs while playing a standout second base. Minoso led the league with 36 doubles and batted .310; he also was hit by 21pitches as part of his .408 OBP. Shortstop Luis Aparicio led the AL with 28 steals as part of a productive supporting cast. Dick Donovan (16-6, 2.77 ERA) and Billy Pierce (20-12) led the pitching staff.

#19: 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers, 50.1 WAR162

The Dodgers nosed out the Braves (by 1 game) and the Redlegs (by 2 games) in an exciting NL pennant race before falling to the Yankees in a seven-game World Series. The loss was especially bittersweet, as the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles for the 1958 season, leaving their fan base behind.

The Dodgers scored 720 runs on the season, well behind the 775 from the Redlegs, and trailed them in home runs as well. They ranked just fourth in BA, but first in OBP, thanks to drawing 64 more walks than their closest competitor. Their .761 OPS ranked second for the season. The pitching was solid, ranking a distant second (to the Braves) in ERA and first in WHIP, strikeouts, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Duke Snider had one of his best seasons, belting 43 homers, drawing 99 walks, and sweeping the OBP (.399), SLG (.598), and OPS (.997) categories. Jim Gilliam enjoyed a fine season, stealing 21 bases while batting .300 with a .399 OBP, and 37-year-old Jackie Robinson posted a .382 OBP with 12 steals in 117 games. Gil Hodges (32 homers, 87 RBI) and Randy Jackson provided additional support. The mound was anchored by Don Newcombe, who led the NL in wins (27) and WHIP (0.989) on his way to the NL MVP and Cy Young awards. Sal Maglie had a fine age-39 season, winning 13 games with a 2.87 ERA.

#18: 1957 Milwaukee Braves, 50.5 WAR162

The Braves bounced back from their near miss in 1956 with a comfortable 8-game margin over the Cardinals to claim the 1957 pennant. They went on to defeat the Yankees in a seven-game World Series.

The Braves topped the NL with 772 runs, 25 more than the Redlegs. They also slugged 199 home runs, had 62 triples, and a .442 slugging percentage, all tops in the league. The team ranked second in BA and OPS, a single point behind the Redlegs. The Braves’ pitching posted the second-best ERA in the NL, but had only the fifth-best WHIP, due to issuing the second-most walks in the league.

Hank Aaron and Eddie Matthews formed a fearsome power duo for Milwaukee; Aaron slugged 44 homers with 132 RBI and 118 runs scored, all NL-best numbers. Mathews popped 32 homers of his own to go with 109 runs scored and 94 RBI, and Johnny Logan batted .279 while providing exceptional defense at shortstop. Red Schoendienst batted .310 from his second base position to round out the top position performers. The ageless Warren Spahn posted a 21-11 record with 18 complete games at age 36, winning the Cy Young award in the process. Bob Buhl was the next best option for the Braves, going 18-7 with a 2.74 ERA, and Lew Burdette had an ordinary season by his standards, but still managed 17 wins.

#17: 1955 Chicago White Sox, 50.6 WAR162

The 1955 White Sox finished third in the AL, behind the Yankees and Indians. Their Pythagorean win projection had them winning 95 games, 8 more than the Indians’ projection, but still trailing the Yankees.

Offense was an issue for the Sox, as their 725 runs ranked just fourth for the season, even though they topped the AL with a .268 BA. Unfortunately for Chicago, they lacked power, ranking just sixth in home runs, seventh in triples, and third in doubles. This combination led to a fifth-place OPS ranking. Pitching kept the Sox in the hunt, with the second-best ERA and top WHIP in the AL. The pitching staff issued the fewest walks in the league, leading to the second-best strikeout-to-walk rate behind the Indians.

The White Sox lacked big-name hitters in their lineup, relying on their pitching and contributions from a variety of batters. Second baseman Nellie Fox led the way with a .311 BA, and an AL-best 17 hit by pitches, followed by Minnie Minoso and his .387 OBP and 19 steals. Catcher Sherm Lollar had a strong season behind the plate while batting .261 with 16 homers, and shortstop Chico Carrasquel played fine defense and scored 83 runs for the Sox. Billy Pierce was the mound ace, winning 15 while topping the AL in ERA (1.97), WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate. Dick Donovan was the team’s next best option, and also logged 15 wins.

#16: 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers, 50.7 WAR

The Dodgers rebounded from their 1951 collapse and loss to the Giants by finishing 4.5 games ahead of their crosstown rivals to claim the NL pennant. They then lost to the Yankees in a seven-game World Series.

The Dodgers easily topped the NL in runs and had a curious split where they were better on the road (51-24) than at home (45-33). Their 153 homers were tops in the league, as were the team’s 90 stolen bases. They ranked just third in BA, but topped the NL in both OBP and OPS. The Dodgers pitching ranked second in ERA and first in strikeouts, but just fourth in WHIP, as the staff issued plenty of walks.

Jackie Robinson had one of his finest seasons, leading the NL with a .440 OBP and stealing 24 bases while drawing 106 walks and scoring 104 runs. Gil Hodges drew 107 walks and hammered 32 homers, and Pee Wee Reese led the league with 30 steals while drawing another 86 walks. Duke Snider batted .303 with 21 homers, and Andy Pafko added another 19 long balls. Carl Erskine posted a 14-6 mark with a 2.70 ERA to lead the pitching corps, aided by Billy Loes (13-8, 2.69 ERA) and Joe Black (15-4, 15 saves, 2.15 ERA).

Summary

That’s it for the first entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1950s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #15 to #11, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

Welcome to the third countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1940s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1940s (1940-1949), a total of 160 teams were eligible (16 teams x 10 seasons), so the top 20 teams are a fairly exclusive group. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their team dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #10 through #6.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1940s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#10: 1945 Chicago Cubs, 53.9 WAR162

The 1945 Cubs returned to the top of the National League for the first time since 1938, outpacing the Cardinals by 3 games. This would also be their last pennant until 1984. The Cubs lost the World Series in seven games to the Tigers, their nemesis from the 1935 series.

The 1945 edition of the Cubs succeeded despite a rather ordinary offensive output. The Chicagoans ranked just fourth in runs scored and were near the bottom in home runs. They did rank first in BA, and second in OBP and OPS behind the Dodgers. Pitching is what carried the Cubs to the top of the NL, led by a 2.98 team ERA, far ahead of their rivals. They easily led the NL in WHIP, yielded the fewest walks, and sported the best strikeout-to-walk rate.

Veteran third baseman Stan Hack had a fine age-35 campaign, batting .323 with 110 runs scored. Phil Cavaretta led the league with a .355 BA and .449 OBP, and Andy Pafko provided further support with 12 triples, 12 homers, and 110 RBI. Don Johnson batted .302 from his second base pot, scoring 94 runs. Claude Passeau had an excellent age-36 season on the mound, winning 17 games with a 2.46 ERA and 5 shutouts, while Hank Wyse went 22-10 with a 2.68 ERA. Ray Prim (at age 38) led the league in both ERA and WHIP while adding 13 wins, and Hank Borowy posted an 11-2 mark in limited duty.

#9: 1940 Cincinnati Reds, 54.3 WAR162

The 1940 Reds ran away with the NL pennant before defeating the Tigers in a seven-game World Series. The Reds were a bit fortunate to win 100 games (their projection was 96), but they were easily the best club in the NL for the season, besting the Dodgers by 12 games.

The Reds were the third-best run-scoring team in the NL, finishing 102 runs behind the Pirates. They finished in the middle of the pack in almost all offensive categories, but were saved by their pitching. The pitching staff led the NL in ERA and WHIP, and had solid metrics in other categories.

The Reds’ offense was a collection of relative unknowns, led by Lonny Frey, their second baseman. Frey led the NL with 22 steals and drew 80 walks with 102 runs scored. Frank McCormick led the league with 44 doubles and batted .309 with 127 RBI. Third Baseman Billy Werber was the third wheel of the offense, scoring 105 runs with 35 doubles and 12 homers. Bucky Walters led the pitchers with 22 wins, a 1.092 WHIP, and a 2.48 ERA across 305 innings, all tops in the NL. Paul Derringer posted a 20-12 mark, and Jim Turner (14) and Gene Thompson (16) combined for an additional 30 wins.

#8: 1949 Brooklyn Dodgers, 54.9 WAR162

The 1949 Dodgers had a fine season, at least until they ran into the Yankees in the World Series, where they lost in five games.

The Dodgers were by far the most prolific offensive team in the league in 1949. Their 879 runs were 113 ahead of their closest rival, and their 152 homers also ranked first. The Dodgers also had speed on the basepaths, stealing 117 bases; their closest competitor stole 53 bases. The team ranked second in BA and first in both OBP and OPS. The pitching was also good, albeit not the equal of the offense. The Dodgers ranked second in ERA and WHIP, and led the NL in strikeout-to-walk rate.

Jackie Robinson had a sensational year, leading the NL with a .342 BA and 37 steals. He also scored 122 runs. His double-play partner Pee Wee Reese led the NL with 132 runs scored and drew 116 walks on the season. The 22-year-old Duke Snider batted .292 with 23 homers, and outfield mate Carl Furillo batted .322 with 18 homers and 106 RBI. Catcher Roy Campanella batted .287 with 22 homers to round out the top position performers. On the mound, Don Newcombe assembled a 17-8 record with five shutouts at age 23, while veteran lefty Preacher Roe won 15 games with a 2.79 ERA.

#7: 1948 Boston Braves, 56.9 WAR162

The 1948 Braves make a rare appearance for the Boston club, which more often was relegated to the lower depths of the NL. The Braves outlasted the Cardinals by 6.5 games to win the NL pennant before losing a six-game World Series to the Indians.

The Braves were a solid offensive team, ranking fourth in runs scored, fifth in home runs, but first in doubles, BA, OBP, and OPS. Pitching was their real strength, with ERA and WHIP numbers far ahead of their NL rivals. They also ranked first in strikeout-to-walk rate, largely due to an NL-best walks level.

The Braves’ offense lacked star power, but received strong performances from Bob Elliott, Jeff Heath, Alvin Dark, and Eddie Stanky. Elliott drew an NL-best 131 walks, leading to a .423 OBP, while belting 23 homers and driving in 100 runs. Heath added 20 homers and a .319 BA, and Dark batted .322 from his shortstop position. Stanky added a .320 BA with a .455 OBP in just 67 games. The pitching was led by Johnny Sain, who won 24 games, tossed 314 innings, and completed 28 games, all NL-best numbers. Lefty Warren Spahn added 15 wins, and Nels Potter, Vern Bickford, and Bill Voiselle provided solid support behind the Braves’ big two of Sain and Spahn.

#6: 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers, 57.2 WAR

The 1941 Dodgers fought off a challenge from the Cardinals, eventually taking the pennant by 2.5 games. However, their World Series drought continued after a five-game defeat at the hands of the Yankees.

The Dodgers’ offense was the class of the NL in 1941, scoring 800 runs versus the Cardinals’ 734. They also swept the BA, OBP, and OPS rankings, and led the NL in both walks and triples. The pitching was also very good, leading the league in both ERA and WHIP.

Outfielder Pete Reiser paved the way for the offense, scoring 117 runs with 39 doubles, 17 triples, and a .343 BA, all topping the NL. Dolph Camilli led the league in homers (34) and RBI (120), and posted a .407 OBP. Dixie Walker batted .311 with just 18 strikeouts in 606 plate appearances, and Joe Medwick batted .318 with 100 runs scored and 88 RBI. Whit Wyatt had a career year at age 33, winning 22 games with 7 shutouts, a 2.34 ERA, and topping the NL in WHIP. Kirby Higbe also posted 22 wins, and Curt Davis added 13 more.

Summary

That’s it for the third entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1940s decade! Stay tuned for the final countdown from #5 to #1, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!