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 108, 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!