Tag: team WAR

1980s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 5 through 1

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the final countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1980s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1980s (1980-1989), a total of 280 team-seasons were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 7% for the decade. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their dashboards, and explain how they attained their rankings. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #5 through #1.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1980s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#5: 1987 Toronto Blue Jays, 53.1 WAR162

The 1987 Blue Jays were caught by the Tigers in the final week of the 1987 season. The Jays ultimately fell two games short of the AL East title after dropping their final 7 games.

The Jays had a potent offense, finishing second in the league with 215 homers and third with 845 runs. Their team OPS of .782 was also good for second, trailing only the Tigers. Toronto’s pitching staff led the AL in ERA and WHIP in the high-scoring 1987 season, and ranked second in strikeouts.

George Bell claimed AL MVP honors with an AL-best 134 RBI and added 47 home runs and a .308 BA. Shortstop Tony Fernandez (.322 BA, 32 steals, Gold Glove Award), and right fielder Jesse Barfield (28 home runs, 84 RBI, Gold Glove Award) were Bell’s primary support. Lloyd Moseby also had a fine season, batting .282 with 26 homers, 96 RBI, and 39 steals. Lefty Jimmy Key led the mound staff, topping the AL in ERA and WHIP while winning 17 games. Jim Clancy added 15 wins, and closer Tom Henke had an AL-best 34 saves with a 2.49 ERA.

#4: 1985 St. Louis Cardinals, 54.0 WAR162

The 1985 Cardinals topped the NL East by three games over the Mets. They then defeated the Dodgers in a six-game NLCS. The Cards’ run ended with a seven-game World Series defeat at the hands of the cross-state Royals.

The Cardinals’ offense was built on speed, as they compiled an astonishing 314 stolen bases, 132 more than their nearest rival. This speed propelled them to an NL-best 747 runs despite hitting just 87 homers, the second fewest in the league. The Cards led the NL in BA, OBP, and OPS (lots of doubles & triples) on their way to 101 wins. The pitching staff ranked second in ERA and third in WHIP, providing strong support for their potent offense.

NL MVP Willie McGee was the Cardinals’ offensive spark via his NL-best .353 BA coupled with 56 steals and 114 runs scored. Shortstop Ozzie Smith batted .276 with 31 steals while providing exceptional Gold Glove defense, and Tom Herr batted .302 with 31 steals, 38 doubles, and 110 RBI. Andy Van Slyke (13) and Jack Clark (22) combined for 35 of the team’s 87 dingers, and rookie Vince Coleman swiped 110 bases on the season. John Tudor was the ace on the mound, tossing 10 shutouts with a 1.93 ERA and a 21-8 record. Tudor also led the NL in WHIP in a career-best season. Danny Cox (18-9, 2.88 ERA) and Joaquin Andujar (21-12) gave the Cardinals a strong rotation behind Tudor.

#3: 1984 Detroit Tigers, 54.5 WAR162

The 1984 Tigers raced out to a 35-5 record and then coasted to the AL East title with a 15-game margin over the Blue Jays. The Tigers then swept the Royals in the ALCS before defeating the Padres in five games in the World Series.

The Tigers had a dynamic offense that led the AL in runs and OBP, and ranked second in OPS behind the Red Sox, getting strong contributions from the top of the batting order. The starting pitching was solid, and was supported by a strong bullpen. The Tigers staff led the AL in ERA, WHIP, and saves, while posting the second-best strikeout-to-walk rate.

Alan Trammell keyed the Tigers’ lineup in 1984, batting .314 with 85 runs scored and a Gold Glove Award at shortstop. Chet Lemon played an outstanding center field and launched 20 homers with 76 RBI and a .287 BA. Kirk Gibson swiped 29 bases and homered 27 times with 91 RBI, and Lou Whitaker batted .289, scored 90 runs, and earned a Gold Glove at second base. Lance Parrish belted 33 homers with 98 RBI while claiming a Gold Glove behind the plate. Willie Hernandez had a Cy Young season out of the bullpen, earning 32 saves with a 1.92 ERA, appearing in an AL-best 80 games. Dan Petry (18-8) and Jack Morris (19-11) were the top starters for the Tigers.

#2: 1986 New York Mets, 55.2 WAR162

The 1986 Mets ran away with the NL East, topping the Phillies by a whopping 21.5 games. They then took down the Astros in six games for the NL pennant before defeating the Red Sox in a dramatic seven-game World Series. While the Mets’ win projection was for a slightly lower 103 wins, they would have still easily won the NL East.

The Mets scored an NL-high 783 runs, batting .263 with a .339 OBP and .740 OPS to top the league. They also ranked third in home runs and fourth in doubles. The Mets’ pitching topped the NL in ERA and ranked second in WHIP, and also ranked high in saves, strikeout-to-walk rate, complete games, and shutouts.

First baseman Keith Hernandez had an excellent season, batting .310, drawing an NL-best 94 walks, scoring 94 runs, and winning a Gold Glove. Lenny Dykstra batted .295 with 31 steals, Gary Carter swatted 24 homers with 105 RBI, and Darryl Strawberry launched 27 homers with 93 RBI. Dwight Gooden (17-6, 2.84 ERA) and Bob Ojeda (18-5, 2.57 ERA) topped the Mets staff. Close behind were Ron Darling (15-6, 2.81 ERA) and Sid Fernandez (16-6), giving the Mets a formidable starting rotation.

#1: 1988 New York Mets, 55.3 WAR

The 1988 Mets won the NL East, topping the Pirates by 15 games, before being upset by the Dodgers in a seven-game NLCS defeat.

The Mets easily led the NL in runs, home runs, OBP, and OPS, while ranking second in BA. It was a very strong offensive performance for the season. The team also had dominant pitching in 1988, ranking first in ERA, WHIP, strikeout, and strikeout-to-walk rate while placing second in saves.

Darryl Strawberry led the Mets offense with an NL-best 39 homers, 101 RBI, and a league-best .911 OPS. Kevin McReynolds added 27 home runs and 99 RBI, and Howard Johnson launched 24 homers and stole 23 bases. Lenny Dykstar stole 30 bases in 126 games, and Wally Backman batted .303 on the year. On the mound, David Cone had a splendid 20-3 record with a 2.22 ERA, followed by Dwight Gooden with 18 wins and 10 complete games. Sid Fernandez yielded the fewest hits per 9 innings in the NL and won 12 games. Bob Ojeda (10) and Ron Darling (17) contributed 27 more wins for the Mets.

Summary

That’s it for the final entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1980s decade! Here’s a summary of the most dominant franchises of the 1980s:

1980s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 10 through 6

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the third countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1980s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1980s (1980-1989), a total of 280 team-seasons were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 7% for the decade. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of their dashboards, and explain how they attained their rankings. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #10 through #6.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1980s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#10: 1988 Oakland Athletics, 50.5 WAR162

The 1988 Athletics cruised to the AL West title by 13 games over the Twins and then swept the Red Sox in four games to claim the AL pennant. Then they ran into an upstart Dodgers team that upset them in a five-game World Series.

The A’s boasted a strong, but not dominant offense in 1988. Their 800 runs scored ranked second to the Red Sox, and they placed 4th or better in BA, OBP, and OPS. The team’s 156 home runs were just two shy of the Blue Jays for the top AL spot. Oakland also had a talented mound staff, with the AL’s top ERA and 3rd-best WHIP, and easily led the AL with 64 saves.

Jose Canseco posted some big offensive numbers to lead the team, bashing an AL-best 42 homers with 124 RBI while also stealing 40 bases. Canseco claimed AL MVP honors for his exploits. Dave Henderson had a career year with a .304 BA, 24 homers, and 94 RBI, and Mark McGwire added 32 home runs and 99 RBI. Dave Stewart was the A’s top pitcher, recording 21 wins with a league-best 14 completed games, and Bob Welch added 17 wins. Storm Davis won 16, and closer Dennis Eckersley topped the AL with 45 saves, finishing second in Cy Young voting.

#9: 1983 Detroit Tigers, 51.0 WAR162

The Tigers were a year away from dominating the AL, but were clearly on the way to the top in 1983. While they finished six games behind the Orioles, they were the better team based on WAR162.

The Tigers’ offense was very good, finishing a close 4th with 789 runs, and ranking third in BA and second in OPS on the season. Their 156 home runs ranked 4th, just 12 behind the AL-best Orioles. The Tigers’ pitching was solid, placing 4th in ERA and 2nd in WHIP, benefiting from strong defense across multiple positions.

Lou Whitaker helped ignite the Tigers’ offense, batting .320 with 40 doubles, and also claimed a Gold Glove Award at second base. Center fielder Chet Lemon flashed exceptional defense while stroking 24 homers, and Gold Glove shortstop Alan Trammell batted .319 with 30 stolen bases. Catcher Lance Parrish also earned a Gold Glove, and stroked 27 homers with 114 RBI. Larry Herndon batted .302 with 20 homers to round out the team’s offense. Jack Morris was the ace on the mound, winning 20 games and leading the league in innings and strikeouts. After Morris, there was some drop-off, although Dan Petry won 19 games and Aurelio Lopez was effective as a late-inning reliever.

#8: 1982 California Angels, 51.6 WAR162

The 1982 Angels won the AL West title by three games over the Royals before losing a five-game ALCS to the Brewers, denying them a shot at their first World Series.

The Angels featured a strong offense that accounted for 814 runs, second to Milwaukee. Their 186 home runs also ranked second, and they ranked 1st in OBP, 2nd in OPS, and 3rd in BA on the season. They also had solid pitching, trailing only the Tigers in ERA while leading the league in WHIP.

Third baseman Doug DeCinces had a career year, batting .301 with 30 homers, 97 RBI, 94 runs scored, and strong defense. Brian Downing batted .281 with 28 homers, and Fred Lynn batted .299 with 21 home runs. Rod Carew (.319 BA, 88 runs) and Bobby Grich (19 homers, 82 walks) helped round out the team’s offense. On the mound, Geoff Zahn won 18 games while 21-year-old Mike Witt posted an 8-5 record. Bruce Kison (10) and Ken Forsch (13) combined for 23 more wins.

#7: 1985 Toronto Blue Jays, 51.6 WAR162

The 1985 Blue Jays won the franchise’s first AL East title, topping the Yankees by two games before falling to the Royals in a seven-game ALCS.

Toronto featured a good offense, scoring 759 runs, 4th in the 14-team American League. Their 144 stolen bases ranked second, as did their .269 team BA. The Jays ranked 4th in OPS and 5th in OBP for the season. Toronto had a very effective pitching staff, with an AL-best 3.31 ERA. They also led the league in WHIP and finished second with 47 saves.

Right fielder Jesse Barfield had a big season, batting .289 with 27 home runs and 22 steals, and providing excellent glove work. Shortstop Tony Fernandez batted .289 with 31 doubles, and George Bell swatted 28 homers with 95 RBI and 21 steals. Lloyd Moseby (92 runs, 37 steals) and Rance Mulliniks (.383 OBP) also contributed offensively. On the mound, Dave Stieb had a stellar campaign, winning 14 games with a league-best 2.48 ERA. Doyle Alexander posted a 17-10 record, and lefty Jimmy Key went 14-6 on the season.

#6: 1985 New York Yankees, 52.1 WAR

The 1985 Yankees lost out by a scant two games to the Blue Jays in a competitive AL East race.

The Yankees had a very potent offense, with their 839 runs easily topping the league. The team possessed both speed and power, leading the AL in stolen bases and placing 3rd in home runs. The New Yorkers ranked 3rd in BA and 2nd in both OBP and OPS, trailing only the Red Sox. Pitching was also effective, if not to the level of the offense. The Yankees ranked 3rd in ERA and 4th in WHIP for the 1985 campaign.

Rickey Henderson had a monster season for New York, scoring an AL-best 146 runs and leading the league with 80 stolen bases. He also batted .319 with a .419 OBP to ignite the Yankees’ offense. Don Mattingly (.324 BA, AL-best 48 doubles and 145 RBI) claimed the AL MVP award, and Willie Randolph (.382 OBP) provided additional offensive support. Ron Guidry led the pitching staff with a 22-6 record, aided by a strong bullpen corps. Bob Shirley (2.64 ERA), Dave Righetti (29 saves, 2.78 ERA), and Brian Fisher (2.38 ERA, 14 saves) led an excellent Yankees bullpen.

Summary

That’s it for the third entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1980s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #5 to #1, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 15 through 11

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the second countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1980s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1980s (1980-1989), a total of 280 team-seasons were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 7% for the decade. We’ll summarize each team, including portions of the team’s dashboard, and explain how they attained their ranking. So, without further ado, here are the teams ranked #15 through #11.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1980s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#15: 1985 Los Angeles Dodgers, 48.7 WAR162

The 1985 Dodgers topped the NL West by 5.5 games over the Reds before falling to the Cardinals in a six-game NLCS.

The Dodgers finished 5th in runs, playing half their games in pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. The offense had modest power and speed by league standards, but they did manage to rank 2nd in BA and OBP, and 3rd in OPS. The pitching staff was excellent, even given the friendly home ballpark, ranking first in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Pedro Guerrero had one of his best seasons, leading the NL with a .422 OBP and .999 OPS while batting .320 with 33 homers. Catcher Mike Scioscia had a fine season, batting .296 with a .407 OBP and stellar defense. Mike Marshall added 238 home runs and 95 RBI while batting .293. Orel Hershiser (19-3, 2.03ERA) and Fernando Valenzuela (17-10, 2.45 ERA) topped the pitching staff, with solid support from 14-game winners Bob Welch and Jerry Reuss.

#14: 1985 New York Mets, 49.4 WAR162

The 1985 Mets won 98 games but fell three games short of the Cardinals for the NL East title. Nonetheless, this team was one of several strong Mets teams in the mid- to late-1980s.

The Mets had a solid offense, finishing 3rd in runs and home runs, and 4th in both BA and OPS. Pitching was a strong suit, as the Mets staff placed 3rd in ERA and 2nd in WHIP and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Gary Carter led the Mets offensively while playing strong defense behind the plate. Carter batted .281 with 32 home runs and 100 RBI. Keith Hernandez won a Gold Glove at first base while batting .309 with 91 RBI, and Darryl Strawberry homered 29 times with 79 RBI in just 111 games. On the mound, Dwight Gooden assembled one of the best seasons ever by a pitcher, winning the Cy Young with a 24-4 record and 1.53 ERA. Gooden received strong support from Ron Darling (16-6, 2.90 ERA) and Sid Fernandez, who topped the NL in strikeout rate while yielding the fewest hits per 9 innings.

#13: 1980 Baltimore Orioles, 49.5 WAR162

The 1980 Orioles claimed 100 wins but fell three games behind the Yankees in the AL East, a season after playing in the World Series.

The Orioles ranked 5th in runs with 805, just 25 behind the league-leading Tigers, and placed 4th with 156 home runs. In most other offensive categories, they ranked between 4th and 6th in the 14-team American League. Their pitching was a bit stronger, placing 3rd in ERA and WHIP, 4th in strikeout-to-walk rate, and 5th in saves.

Al Bumbry compiled the O’s highest positional WAR162, batting .318 with 118 runs scored, and 44 stolen bases. Eddie Murray slugged 32 homers with 116 RBI and a .300 BA, while Ken Singleton added 24 homers and 104 RBI. Third Baseman Doug DeCinces added 16 homers to go with excellent defense, and catcher Rick Dempsey had a solid overall season. Lefty Scott McGregor won 20 games, while veteran righty Steve Stone went 25-7 to claim the AL Cy Young Award.

#12: 1980 New York Yankees, 49.6 WAR162

The 1980 Yankees finished three games ahead of the Orioles to claim the AL East, but were swept by the Royals in three games in the ALCS.

The Yankees boasted a potent offense, scoring 820 runs (10 behind the Tigers), and slugging 189 home runs to rank second in both categories. The New Yorkers ranked 3rd in OPS and 4th in OBP for the season. Pitching was again a strength for the Yankees, with the 2nd-best performance in both ERA and WHIP. The staff also boasted the top strikeout-to-walk rate and tossed the most shutouts in the AL.

Willie Randolph posted one of his best seasons, drawing an AL-best 119 walks on his way to a .427 OBP. He also stole 30 bases and scored 99 runs. Reggie Jackson led the AL with 41 homers while batting .300 with 111 RBI, and catcher Rick Cerone had a fine season with 14 home runs and 85 RBI. Bucky Dent had a strong all-around performance at shortstop for the season. 35-year-old Rudy May had a fine season, splitting duties between starting and relieving, racking up 15 wins with an AL-best 2.46 ERA across 175 innings. Tommy John led the AL with 6 shutouts at age 37, winning 22 games, and Ron Guidry added 17 wins with another 3 shutouts. Closer Goose Gossage topped the AL with 33 saves and a 2.27 ERA.

#11: 1987 Detroit Tigers, 50.0 WAR

The 1987 Tigers tracked down the Blue Jays in the final week of the season to claim the AL East crown. Unfortunately for Detroit, they were upset by the Twins in a five-game ALCS defeat.

The Tigers had a strong offense in 1987, totaling 896 runs to top the league, and belting an AL-best 225 homers. The Detroiters ranked 3rd in BA, 2nd in OBP, and 1st in OPS, with an OPS of .800. Detroit’s pitching was above average, if not at the level of the offense. The Tigers staff ranked 3rd in ERA and 5th in WHIP in the high-scoring 1987 season.

Shortstop Alan Trammell had the best season of his long career, batting .343 with 28 homers, 105 RBI, and 109 runs scored. 40-year-old Darrell Evans launched 34 home runs with 99 RBI and also drew 100 walks. Kirk Gibson stole 26 bases and hit 24 homers in just 128 games, and Chet Lemon added 20 home runs while playing a strong center field. Jack Morris led the mound crew with 18 wins, aided by Doyle Alexander, who put together a memorable stretch run with a 9-0 record and 1.53 ERA. Veteran Frank Tanana added another 15 wins, while Walt Terrell posted a 17-10 record.

Summary

That’s it for the second entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1980s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #10 to #6, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1980s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 20 through 16

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the first countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1980s. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1980s (1980-1989), a total of 280 team-seasons were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 7% 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: 1980s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#20: 1982 Los Angeles Dodgers, 47.5 WAR162

The 1982 Dodgers finished a single game behind the Braves in the NL West race, despite a Pythagorean projection five games better than Atlanta.

The Dodgers were a solid offensive club, ranking 3rd (out of 14) in runs, OPS, OBP, and BA. Their 138 homers trailed only the Braves. On the mound, the Dodgers topped the NL in ERA, WHIP, and shutouts.

Pedro Guerrero was the offensive stalwart in 1982, batting. 304 with 32 home runs, 100 RBI, and 22 steals. Veteran shortstop Bill Russell had one of his best campaigns, batting .274 with solid defense. Ron Cey added 24 homers and 79 RBI. Steve Sax (.282 BA, 49 steals, Rookie of the Year) and Ken Landreaux (.284 BA, 31 steals) rounded out the top offensive producers for the Dodgers. 21-year-old lefty Fernando Valenzuela was the pitching story, posting a 19-13 record with a 2.87 ERA. Jerry Reuss added 18 wins for a formidable 1-2 punch.

#19: 1988 Boston Red Sox, 47.7 WAR162

The Red Sox topped the AL East, winning the division by a single game over the Tigers in a hotly contested 4-team race. Boston’s season ended in a 4-game ALCS sweep by the Athletics in a one-sided ALCS.

The Red Sox got things done on the offensive side of the ball, leading the league in runs, doubles, BA, OBP, and OPS. The pitching staff was less impressive, ranking 7th in both ERA and WHIP, although they ranked first in strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Wade Boggs had a stellar season for the Sox, leading the league in BA (.366), OBP (.476), walks, OPS, doubles, and runs (128). Mike Greenwell had a career season for Boston, batting .325 with 22 homers and 119 RBI. Ellis Burks was a strong third option, batting .294 with 25 stolen bases. On the mound, Roger Clemens led the AL in strikeouts, complete games, and shutouts while winning 18 games. Lefty Bruce Hurst was a capable second starter, posting 18 wins. After the top two, the Sox pitching fell sharply, making the team lean heavily on outscoring opponents.

#18: 1989 Oakland Athletics, 47.8 WAR162

The 1989 Athletics easily won the AL West by 7 games over the Royals. They then topped the Blue Jays in five games and the Giants in four to claim the World Series crown.

The A’s offense was limited in 1989, placing 4th in runs and OBP, and just 6th in BA and OPS. The team ranked 2nd with 157 stolen bases, helping the Athletics’ manufacturer runs. The pitching staff performed well, leading the AL in ERA and WHIP, and tying for first with 20 shutouts.

Rickey Henderson was the offensive sparkplug, batting .294 with 52 steals in just 85 games. Carney Lansford batted .336 with 37 stolen bases, and Dave Henderson added 15 homers and 80 RBI, along with strong defense. Mark McGwire launched 33 homers to help diversify the A’s offense. Mike Moore (19-11, 2.62 ERA) and Dave Stewart (21-9) combined for 40 wins at the top of the rotation, with Bob Welch adding 17 more wins.

#17: 1982 Milwaukee Brewers, 47.9 WAR162

The 1982 Brewers beat out the Orioles by a single game for the AL East title, then defeated the Angels in a 5-game ALCS. Their good fortune ran out in the World Series, where they lost to the Cardinals in seven games.

The Brewers rode a powerful offense to the top of the AL, scoring 891 runs on the season. They also launched 216 home runs, 30 more than their closest rival. The club finished second in BA and first in OPS to rank as the league’s most dominant offense. Pitching was merely average (at best), as the Brewers ranked 6th in ERA and 10th in WHIP out of 14 AL teams.

Robin Yount led the offense with an MVP season, totaling 46 doubles, a .957 OPS, and a .331 BA with 210 hits. He also claimed the Gold Glove Award at shortstop. Paul Molitor topped the league with 136 runs scored while posting a .302 BA, and Cecil Cooper slugged 32 homers with 121 RBI and a .313 BA. Gorman Thomas added additional pop with an AL-best 39 home runs. Pete Vuckovich won the AL Cy Young Award based on his 18-6 record, and Rollie Fingers saved 29 games.

#16: 1986 California Angels, 48.1 WAR

The 1986 Angels topped the AL West, beating the Rangers by five games before losing a dramatic five-game ALCS to the Red Sox.

The Angels had a rather ordinary offense in 1986, finishing 6th in runs, 7th in homers, and 9th in BA. They were adept at drawing walks, leading the AL with 671 walks, which boosted their OBP to third in the league. Pitching was a strength, as the Angels staff led the league in WHIP and ranked second in ERA behind the Royals.

Garry Pettis stole 50 bases, scored 93 runs, and earned a Gold Glove for his defensive work in center field. Brian Downing posted a .389 OBP with 20 homers and 95 RBI, and Dick Schofield stole 23 bases and provided strong defense at shortstop. Mike Witt was the Angels’ ace on the mound, posting an 18-10 record with a 2.84 ERA, aided by Kirk McCaskill, who logged a 17-10 mark on the season.

Summary

That’s it for the first entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1980s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #15 to #11, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1970s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 5 through 1

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the third countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1970s. Expansion continued in the 1970s, with four new teams added for the 1977 season, adding to the four that started play in the 1969 season. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1970s (1970-1979), a total of 252 team-seasons were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 8% 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 #5 through #1.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1970s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#5: 1975 Cincinnati Reds, 57.4 WAR162

The Reds and Orioles own the top five spots in our 1970s rankings. The list starts with the 1975 Reds, who posted a gaudy 108 wins before sweeping the Pirates in the NLCS. They then defeated the Red Sox in a classic seven-game World Series.

The Reds had an impressive offense in 1975, scoring 840 runs, 105 more than their closest rival. Their 124 homers ranked third, and their 168 stolen bases topped the NL. The team ranked second in BA and first in OBP and OPS. The Reds’ pitching staff was less notable, but still quite effective, ranking third in ERA, fourth in WHIP, and second in walks issued.

Joe Morgan had a sensational season en route to NL MVP honors. Morgan batted .327, and led the NL with 132 walks, a .466 OBP, and a .974 OPS. He also stole 67 bases, scored 107 runs, and earned a Gold Glove at second base. Johnny Bench assembled a big season as well, swatting 28 homers with 110 RBI and a Gold Glove. George Foster added 23 homers and a .300 BA, while Pete Rose batted .317 with NL-bests in doubles (47) and runs (112). Dave Concepcion (.274 BA, 33 steals, Gold Glove) and Cesar Geronimo (Gold Glove) were also major contributors for the Big Red Machine. Gary Nolan and Don Gullett (2.42 ERA) each won 15 games for a balanced Reds pitching staff.

#4: 1976 Cincinnati Reds, 58.5 WAR162

The Reds were back in 1976, once again claiming the NL West title and the NL pennant, before sweeping the Yankees in the World Series.

The Reds’ offense was again fearsome, scoring an NL-best 857 runs, 87 more than the Phillies. Their 271 doubles, 63 triples, and 141 homers all topped the NL; they also swept the BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS rankings. Once again, their pitching lacked big-name stars, but was up to the task. The Reds’ staff ranked fifth (out of 12) in both ERA and WHIP.

Joe Morgan repeated as the NL MVP, batting .320 and leading the league in OBP, SLG, and OPS. He also stole 60 bases, scored 113 runs, and had 11 RBI, plus another Gold Glove Award. Pete Rose had a fine age-35 season, batting .323 and leading the NL in runs, hits, and doubles. George Foster belted 29 homers, had a .306 BA, and topped the NL with 121 RBI. Johnny Bench’s offensive output dipped from prior seasons, but he still managed 74 RBI, a .348 OBP, and another Gold Glove Award. Dave Concepcion (.281 BA, Gold Glove) and Ken Griffey (.336 BA, 34 steals) added offensive and defensive efficiency to the team. Pat Zachry posted a 14-7 record with a 2.74 ERA to capture NL Rookie of the Year honors, while the rest of the pitching staff was solid rather than spectacular.

#3: 1971 Baltimore Orioles, 59.3 WAR162

The 1971 Orioles cruised to the AL East title, leaving the Tigers 12 games behind. They then swept the Athletics in the ALCS before falling to the Pirates in a seven-game World Series.

The Orioles topped the AL in BA, OBP, and OPS while scoring a league-leading 742 runs (despite playing four fewer games). They ranked fourth in homers, but only the Tigers hit more per game. Pitching was an Orioles strength in the 1969-73 era, and 1971 was no exception. The Birds led the AL in ERA and placed second in WHIP.

Brooks Robinson (18 homers, 94 RBI, Gold Glove Award) and Merv Rettenmund (.322 BA, 18 home runs in just 385 plate appearances) led the way for the Orioles. Don Buford had another fine season with a .406 OBP and 99 runs scored, and Mark Belanger played his usual exceptional defense at shortstop. Davey Johnson batted .281 and earned a Gold Glove Award at second base, and Boog Powell slugged 35 homers with 114 RBI to claim AL MVP honors. On the mound, the Orioles had four 20-game winners, led by Jim Palmer (20-9, 2.68 ERA), Pat Dobson (20-8, 2.90 ERA), and Dave McNally (21-5, 2.89 ERA). Veteran lefty Mike Cuellar posted a 20-9 mark to complete the dominant starting rotation.

#2: 1970 Baltimore Orioles, 59.4 WAR162

The 1970 Orioles easily won the AL East, finishing 15 games ahead of the Yankees. They then dominated the postseason, sweeping the Twins and the ALCS and beating the Reds in a five-game World Series.

The Orioles featured a potent offense that ranked first in the AL in runs, third in BA, first in OBP, and second in OPS. Their pitching staff led the AL in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate. This team could win either with offense or by shutting down the opposition.

Paul Blair and Boog Powell led the Orioles in positional WAR162 in 1971, albeit via very different means. Blair batted .262 while playing exceptional Gold Glove defense, and Powell belted 22 homers with 92 RBI and drew 82 walks. Merv Rettenmund batted .318 with 15 steals as a fourth outfielder, while veteran star Frank Robinson had 28 homers and 99 RBI in his age-35 season. Don Buford (.413 OBP, AL-best 99 runs), Brooks Robinson (20 homers, 92 RBI, Gold Glove), and Davey Johnson (.282 BA, Gold Glove) all provided significant offensive and defensive support for the Orioles.

#1: 1973 Baltimore Orioles, 60.2 WAR

The 1973 Orioles claimed their 4th AL East title in 5 years, but were upended by the Athletics in a 5-game ALCS. The Orioles Pythagorean win projection was 102, a full five games better than their actual result.

The Orioles again had a diverse offense, albeit one with more speed and less power than in recent years. The O’s 146 steals easily led the AL, while the team ranked third in BA and OPS, and first in OBP. Their 754 runs were just 4 behind the A’s league-leading 758. Pitching remained a strong suit for Baltimore, as its staff topped the AL in ERA and WHIP.

Second baseman Bobby Grich had a career WAR year in 1973, scoring 82 runs, drawing 107 walks, and playing Gold Glove defense. Paul Blair claimed another Gold Glove while batting .280 with 18 steals, and Merv Rettenmund had a .378 OBP and 59 runs scored in 390 plate appearances. Al Bumbry was the AL Rookie of the Year, batting .337 with 23 steals and an AL-best 11 triples. Jim Palmer had another great season on the mound, posting a 22-9 record with a 2.40 ERA in winning the Cy Young Award. Dave McNally won 17 games in support of Palmer.

That’s it for the final entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1970s decade! Here’s a summary of the most dominant franchises of the 1970s:

1970s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 10 through 6

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the third countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1970s. Expansion continued in the 1970s, with four new teams added for the 1977 season, adding to the four that started play in the 1969 season. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1970s (1970-1979), a total of 252 team-seasons were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 8% 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: 1970s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#10: 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates, 53.7 WAR162

The 1972 Pirates ran away with the NL East title, finishing a comfortable 11 games ahead of the Cubs. They then fell to the Reds in a 5-game NLCS series.

The Pirates had a solid offense, finishing third in runs while leading the NL in doubles and triples. Their .274 team BA easily led the league, and they ranked first in OPS by a narrow margin. The Pirates’ pitching staff had a strong season, finishing second in ERA, WHIP, and saves.

Richie Hebner had a fine season, batting .300 with 19 homers and 72 RBI from his third base position. Roberto Clemente batted .312 in 102 games, and Willie Stargell launched 33 homers with 112 RBI and a .293 BA. Manny Sanguillen (.298 BA, 71 RBI) and Dave Cash (.282 BA) provided additional support for a balanced offense. The pitching was led by Steve Blass (19-8, 2.42 ERA) and Bob Moose (13 wins, 2.91 ERA)

#9: 1977 New York Yankees, 55.7 WAR162

The 1977 Yankees prevailed in a tight three-team AL race, finishing 2.5 games ahead of both the Orioles and Red Sox. They then went on to defeat the Royals in the ALCS and the Dodgers in a six-game World Series.

The Yankees had a very respectable offense, finishing fourth in runs, third in BA and OBP, and second in OPS. The pitching staff was similarly strong, ranking third in ERA, first in shutouts, and third in WHIP.

Graig Nettles led a deep Yankees offense, mashing 37 home runs with 107 RBI while earning a Gold Glove at third base. Speedy Mickey Rivers stole 22 bases and batted .326, while Reggie Jackson whacked 32 home runs with 110 RBI and 93 runs scored. Thurman Munson posted a .308 BA with 18 homers and 100 RBI, and Willie Randolph batted .274 and played strong defense in his age-22 season. Ron Guidry was the Yankees’ ace, posting a 16-7 record with a 2.82 ERA. Ed Figueroa (16-11) and Sparky Lyle (13-5, 2.17 ERA, 26 saves, and the Cy Young Award) provided ample support from the mound.

#8: 1979 Baltimore Orioles, 55.8 WAR162

The Orioles cruised to an 8-game margin over the Brewers to claim the AL East. They went on to defeat the Angels in the ALCS before bowing to the Pirates in a seven-game World Series.

The Baltimoreans were not an impressive offensive team in 1979, ranking just 8th (out of 14 teams) in runs scored. They did flash some power, ranking third in home runs, and placed 5th in OPS. Pitching carried the O’s, as their staff easily topped the AL in ERA and WHIP.

Ken Singleton led a balanced offensive attack with a .295 BA, 35 home runs, and 111 RBI. Eddie Murray, a switch-hitter like Singleton, also batted .295 and added 25 homers and 99 RBI in his age-22 season. Gary Roenicke added another 25 home runs in just 133 games. Lefty Mike Flanagan (23-9, 5 shutouts, Cy Young winner) and righty Dennis Martinez (15 wins, AL-best 18 CG) led the pitching staff, supported by 13-game winner Scott McGregor, who led the league in WHIP.

#7: 1976 New York Yankees, 56.9 WAR162

The 1976 Yankees cruised to the AL East title by 10.5 games over the Orioles before defeating the Royals in a five-game ALCS. Their season came to an abrupt end in the World Series, as the Reds swept them in four games.

The Yankees had an offense that ranked in the top three in many categories – 2nd in runs, 3rd in homers, 3rd in stolen bases, 3rd in BA, 2nd in OBP, and 3rd in OPS. Their pitching was also quite effective, ranking 1st in both ERA and WHIP for the season.

Third baseman Graig Nettles had a career year, belting 32 homers with 93 RBI and exceptional defense. Mickey Rivers stole 43 bases to go with a .312 BA, and Roy White led the AL with 104 runs scored while stealing 31 bases. Catcher Thurman Munson claimed the AL MVP with a .302 BA, 17 homers, and 105 RBI. 21-year-old Willie Randolph gave the Yankees another threat on the basepaths, piling up 31 steals. The pitching staff was balanced, without any standouts. Ed Figueroa posted a 19-10 mark with a 3.02 ERA, and Catfish Hunter added 17 wins.

#6: 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers, 57.4 WAR

The 1974 Dodgers defeated the Reds by 4 games in a competitive NL West race before defeating the Pirates to claim the NL pennant. The World Series was a different story, with the Athletics defeating the Dodgers in five games.

The Dodgers had a potent offense that led the NL in runs, home runs, and OPS, while ranking second in BA and OBP. Pitching was also a relative strength, with 2nd-place rankings in WHIP, strikeout-to-walk rate, and strikeouts. The team also featured a strong pitching staff that led the NL in ERA, WHIP, walks, strikeouts, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Veteran Jim Wynn had a terrific season, batting .271 with a .387 OBP (108 walks), 32 homers, 108 RBI, and 104 runs scored. Ron Cey (18 homers, 97 RBI), Steve Garvey (.312 BA, 21 homers, 11 RBI, NL MVP), and Davey Lopes (59 steals, 95 runs) led a deep supporting cast. Andy Messersmith posted a 20-6 mark with a 2.59 ERA to lead the Dodgers pitchers. Mike Marshall won the Cy Young Award with 15 wins, 21 saves, and a 2.42 ERA in an incredible 106 games. Don Sutton went 19-9 with five shutouts as an effective second starter in the rotation.

That’s it for the third entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1970s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #5 to #1, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1970s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 15 through 11

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the second countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1970s. Expansion continued in the 1970s, with four new teams added for the 1977 season, adding to the four that started play in the 1969 season. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1970s (1970-1979), a total of 252 team-seasons were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 8% 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 #15 through #11.

Here’s the interactive dashboard at Tableau Public: 1970s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#15: 1975 Baltimore Orioles, 52.5 WAR162

The 1975 Orioles finished second in the AL East, 5 games behind the Red Sox. The Orioles may have been better than their record, as their Pythagorean win projection was 95, 5 games above their actual result.

The Orioles had a mediocre offense, even given Memorial Stadium’s pitching-friendly confines in 1975. The Birds ranked below league average in most key offensive categories, relying on pitching and defense to carry the team. Their pitching staff led the AL in ERA, shutouts, and WHIP, while their defense featured four Gold Glove winners.

Bobby Grich had perhaps the best season of his long career, with a .389 OBP (with 107 walks), 81 runs scored, and Gold Glove defense. Ken Singleton batted .300 with a .415 OBP (with 115 walks) and 88 runs scored, and Mark Belanger coupled Gold Glove defense with 16 steals. On the mound, Cy Young winner Jim Palmer posted a 23-11 record, 2.09 ERA, and 10 shutouts, all AL-best numbers. His primary support came from Mike Torrez (20-9 record).

#14: 1977 Kansas City Royals, 52.5 WAR162

The Royals experienced quick success by expansion standards, with the 1977 team rating as their best team of the 1970s. Kansas City’s 102 wins were enough to win the AL West by 8 games. Unfortunately, their season ended with a 5-game loss to the Yankees in the ALCS.

The Royals’ 822 runs ranked 5th in the 14-team AL, and they led the league in both doubles and triples. Their offense also ranked 5th in BA and 4th in OPS. The pitching staff produced some excellent results, ranking first in ERA, second in WHIP, and third in strikeout-to-walk rate.

George Brett was the offensive leader at age 24, with a .312 BA, 22 homers, 88 RBI, and 13 triples. Al Cowens also batted .312, and launched 23 home runs with 112 RBI. Hal McRae batted .298 with an AL-best 54 doubles. Dennis Leonard had an outstanding season on the mound, with a 20-12 record and 5 shutouts. He was backed up by Paul Splittorff (16-6) and Jim Colborn (18-14).

#13: 1972 Oakland Athletics, 52.6 WAR162

The 1972 Athletics became the first of three consecutive AL pennant winners and World Series champs from Oakland. The A’s outlasted the White Sox by 5.5 games in a strike-shortened season, then beat the Tigers in a 5-game ALCS win, and the Reds in a 7-game World Series triumph.

The Oakland club didn’t overwhelm teams offensively, ranking second in runs, first in home runs, sixth in BA and OPS, and fourth in OPS, playing home games in the pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum. The Athletics’ pitching staff was quite effective, ranking second in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate, while topping the league with 23 shutouts.

Joe Rudi led the way for the A’s with a .305 BA, 19 home runs, 75 RBI, and 94 runs scored. He was followed closely by a cluster of teammates – Reggie Jackson (25 homers, 75 RBI), Sal Bando (78 walks, 77 RBI), Mike Epstein (26 homers, 70 RBI), and Bert Campaneris (AL-best 52 steals). Catfish Hunter led the pitching staff with a 21-7 record and 2.04 ERA, followed by left-hander Ken Holtzman (19-11, 2.51 ERA).

#12: 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers, 53.0 WAR162

The 1977 Dodgers returned to the top of the NL West after two years of domination by the Reds, topping Cincinnati by 10 games. They went on to beat the Phillies in a 4-game NLCS before falling in a 6-game World Series to the Yankees.

The Dodgers had a capable offense in 1977, finishing 3rd in runs, 1st in homers, 5th in BA, and 3rd in both OBP and OPS. Pitching is what separated the team from the competition, as the Dodgers led the NL in ERA, WHIP, fewest walks, and best strikeout-to-walk rate.

Reggie Smith had a fine season for Los Angeles, with a .307 BA, NL-best .427 OBP, 32 homers, 87 RBI, and 104 runs scored. Davey Lopes stole 47 bases and batted .283, Ron Cey mashed 30 home runs with 110 RBI, and Steve Garvey batted .297 with 33 homers, 115 RBI, and a Gold Glove Award at first base. Dusty Baker rounded out the Dodgers diversified offense with a .291 BA and 30 homers.

#11: 1976 Philadelphia Phillies, 53.3 WAR

The 1976 Phillies rose to the top of the NL East after decades of frequent mediocrity. 1976 was the Phillies’ first time atop the standings since the 1950 Whiz Kids pennant winners. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get past a powerful Reds team, getting swept in a 3-game NLCS.

The Phillies had a potent offense that trailed only the Reds in most major categories – runs, home runs, BA, OBP, OPS, and doubles. Pitching was also a relative strength, with 2nd-place rankings in WHIP, strikeout-to-walk rate, and strikeouts. The Phillies’ staff issued the fewest walks in the NL, and also ranked 3rd in ERA.

Third Baseman Mike Schmidt powered the Phillies at the plate and in the field, belting 38 home runs with 107 RBI, 112 runs scored, 100 walks, and a Gold Glove Award. Center fielder Garry Maddox was another Gold Glove recipient, and batted .330 with 37 doubles and 29 stolen bases. Jay Johnstone batted .318 with 38 doubles to round out the Phillies’ top WAR producers. Veteran lefty Steve Carlton had a typically fine season, posting a 20-7 record. Carlton was supported by another pair of veterans in Jim Lonborg (age 34, 18-10 record) and Jim Kaat (age 37, 12 wins, Gold Glove award).

That’s it for the second entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1970s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #10 to #6, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1970s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 20 through 16

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the first countdown post in our series of MLB team rankings for the 1970s. Expansion continued in the 1970s, with four new teams added for the 1977 season, adding to the four that started play in the 1969 season. As a reminder, the teams are ranked from #20 through #1 based on aggregate WAR162. For the 1970s (1970-1979), a total of 252 team-seasons were eligible, so the top 20 teams are a rather exclusive group – the top 8% 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: 1970s Top 20 MLB Teams Dashboard

#20: 1978 New York Yankees, 51.2 WAR162

The 1978 Yankees famously captured the AL East after a furious stretch run, ultimately defeating the Red Sox in a single-game playoff. They then defeated the Royals 3 games to 1 to win the AL pennant, and then beat the Dodgers in six games to win the World Series.

The Yankees had a good, but far from dominant, offense. Their 735 runs ranked 4th in the AL, and they ranked 6th in both BA and OPS. Pitching separated them from their rivals, as they led the league in ERA, WHIP, and hits per 9 innings, and ranked second in strikeout-to-walk rate and strikeouts.

Graig Nettles (.276 BA, 27 HR, 93 RBI, Gold Glove) and Willie Randolph (.381 OBP, 87 runs, 36 steals) led the offense in 1978, with considerable support. Reggie Jackson added 27 homers and 97 RBI, Lou Piniella batted .314, Mickey Rivers stole 25 bases, and Thurman Munson batted .297 from his catcher’s spot. Ron Guidry had a sensational year, winning the AL Cy Young Award with a 25-3 record, 1.74 ERA, 9 shutouts, and a 0.946 WHIP, all best in the league. Ed Figueroa went 20-9 with a 2.99 ERA, and closer Goose Gossage compiled 27 saves with a 2.01 ERA.

#19: 1977 Philadelphia Phillies, 51.8 WAR162

The Phillies broke through in the 1970s with several excellent teams, after decades of finishes near the bottom of the NL. The 1977 team claimed the NL East crown by 5 games over the Pirates, before losing to the Dodgers in the NLCS round.

The Phillies had a powerful offense that led the NL in runs scored with 847, 45 more than their closest rival. They ranked 2nd in homers, 4th in stolen bases, and first across BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS. Pitching was not as strong as the team’s hitting, with 4th-place ERA and 5th-place WHIP rankings (out of 14 teams).

Mike Schmidt was the clear offensive leader, bashing 38 home runs with 101 RBI, 114 runs, and a Gold Glove on defense. Greg Luzinski added 39 homers with 130 RBI and a .309 BA, while Bake McBride batted .339 with 27 steals in just 314 plate appearances. Garry Maddox won a Gold Glove in center field while also batting .292 and stealing 22 bases, and Larry Bowa stole 32 bases and batted .280. Steve Carlton was the mound star, posting a 23-10 record and 2.64 ERA to claim the Cy Young Award.

#18: 1978 Los Angeles Dodgers, 51.8 WAR162

The Dodgers repeated as NL West division winners by 2.5 games over the Reds in a competitive race, and once again defeated the Phillies in 4 games to claim the NL pennant. Their good fortune ended with a 6-game World Series defeat to the Yankees.

The Dodgers rode a balanced offense that featured both speed and power. Their 149 homers topped the NL, while their 137 steals tied for 5th in the 14-team NL. The team ranked first in each of the percentage metrics – BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS. Pitching was also a strength, as the Dodgers’ staff ranked first in ERA, 2nd in WHIP, and 3rd in strikeout-to-walk rate.

Ron Cey topped the Dodgers positional WAR, but was followed closely by three teammates. Cey had a .380 OBP with 23 home runs and 84 RBI, while his infield teammate Davey Lopes stole 45 bases, scored 93 runs, and hit 17 homers. Steve Garvey batted .316 with 21 homers and 113 RBI, and Reggie Smith added 29 home runs, 93 RBI, and a .295 BA. Burt Hooton led the effective pitching staff with a 19-10 record and 2.71 ERA, followed by 21-year-old Bob Welch, who went 7-4 with a 2.02 ERA in just 13 starts.

#17: 1975 Los Angeles Dodgers, 52.0 WAR162

The 1975 Dodgers were not smiled on by good luck – their Pythagorean win projection had them at 95 wins, versus the 88 they actually won. It would hardly have mattered, as the Reds went 108-54 to run away with the NL West title.

The Dodgers’ offense in 1975 was essentially a league-average offense, with a few bright spots. They ranked second in stolen bases, but were just 4th in homers, 8th in runs scored, and 9th in BA in the 12-team NL. Playing in pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium certainly didn’t help their offensive production. The Dodgers’ pitching staff was very effective, ranking first in both ERA (2.92) and WHIP (1.132). They also walked the fewest batters while striking out the 2nd-most for the season.

Third baseman Ron Cey led the Dodgers’ offense in 1975, with a .283 BA, 25 home runs, and 101 RBI. Davey Lopes led the NL with 77 steals and scored 108 runs, and Steve Garvey batted .319 with 95 RBI. Veteran outfielder Jim Wynn walked 110 times on the way to a .403 OBP. The pitching was led by Andy Messersmith, who led the NL with 19 complete games and 7 shutouts on his way to a 19-14 record and 2.29 ERA. Veteran Don Sutton led the NL in WHIP and won 16 games, and Doug Rau posted a 15-9 slate. Burt Hooton went 18-7 with a 2.82 ERA to round out a formidable rotation.

#16: 1978 Milwaukee Brewers, 52.2 WAR

The 1978 Brewers trailed both the Yankees and Red Sox in a competitive AL East pennant race, finishing 6 games back before their one-game playoff. The Brewers were projected for 97 wins, so luck was not on their side in 1978.

The Brewers had a powerful offense that led the AL in runs with 804, just ahead of the Red Sox. They also ranked first in home runs, BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS, capitalizing on a multitude of contributors. The Brewers pitching was not as strong as their offense, placing 8th in ERA and 4th in WHIP. Their pitching staff didn’t beat themselves; they walked the fewest batters in the league.

Sal Bando and Larry Hisle led the Brewers’ balanced offensive attack. Bando batted .285 with 17 homers, 78 RBI, and 85 RBI. Hisle had a career year with 34 homers, 115 RBI, and a .290 BA, followed by 22-year-old shortstop Robin Yount, who batted .293 with 16 stolen bases. Versatile infielder Don Money batted .293 with 88 runs scored, and Ben Ogilvie batted .303 with 18 home runs. Sixto Lezcano (.292 BA, 15 homers) and Gorman Thomas (32 homers, 86 RBI) were also major contributors. The Brewers had two top-flight pitchers, but little depth behind them. Lefty Mike Caldwell posted a 22-9 record with a 2.36 ERA and AL-best 23 complete games with 6 shutouts. Larry Sorensen went 18-12 in his age-22 season; both Caldwell and Sorensen walked fewer than two batters per 9 innings.

Summary

That’s it for the first entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1970s decade! Stay tuned for the countdown from #15 to #11, arriving in a few days. As always, thanks for reading!

1960s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 5 through 1

Posted on by kc2519

Welcome to the final 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 #5 through #1.

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

#5: 1969 Minnesota Twins, 52.1 WAR162

The Twins won the AL West by a comfortable 9 games over the Athletics in the first season with two divisions in each league. They then fell to the powerful Orioles in a 3-game sweep competing for the AL pennant.

The Twins had a potent offense, scoring an AL-best 790 runs with a league-leading 246 doubles. Minnesota also led the AL in BA, and placed second in both OBP and OPS, trailing only the Orioles. The Twins pitchers ranked third in ERA and fifth in WHIP in the 12-team AL, and had the 3rd-best strikeout-to-walk rate in the circuit.

Slugging third baseman Harmon Killebrew claimed AL MVP honors based on a 49-homer, 140 RBI season where he drew 145 walks, all tops in the league. Rod Carew batted an AL-best .332, and Leo Cardenas batted .280 and played strong defense at shortstop. Tony Oliva batted .309 with a league-best 39 doubles, and versatile utilityman Cesar Tovar batted .288 with 45 stolen bases. Jim Perry (20-6, 2.82 ERA), Dave Boswell (20-12), and Jim Kaat (14-13, Gold Glove winner) led the mound corps. Ron Perranoski came out of the bullpen for an AL-best 31 saves with a 2.11 ERA.

#4: 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates, 52.8 WAR162

The Pirates dominated the NL in 1960, finishing 7 games ahead of the Braves. They then went on to defeat the Yankees in a dramatic 7-game World Series.

The Pirates scored the most runs in the NL, just 10 runs ahead of the Braves. They were not a power-hitting team, as their 120 home runs ranked 6th in the 8 team National League. They did, however, lead the NL in doubles, BA, OBP, and OPS. The pitching staff led the NL in WHIP while ranking third in ERA, and issued the fewest walks in the league. This led to the Pirates topping the strikeout-to-walk rate for the NL.

The Pirates were led by their MVP shortstop Dick Groat, who led the league with a .325 BA, and his infield teammate Don Hoak, who batted .282 with 97 runs scored. Star right fielder Roberto Clemente batted .314 with 94 RBI, and veteran catcher Smoky Burgess batted .294 across 110 games. Bob Friend (18-12, NL-best strikeout-to-walk rate) and Vern Law (20-9, Cy Young Award) anchored the pitching staff.

#3: 1961 New York Yankees, 53.2 WAR162

The 1961 Yankees posted 109 wins on the season (versus a projected 103) to cruise to the AL pennant by 8 games over a good Tigers team. They went on to defeat the Reds in a 5-game World Series, claiming their first title since the 1958 season.

While the Yankees blasted a record 240 homers, they were actually outscored on the season by the Tigers. The Yankees ranked 4th in BA and 5th in OBP, but led the AL in OPS due to their prodigious home run power. The New York pitching numbers were generally strong, trailing only the Orioles in both ERA and WHIP, and ranking in the top 4 in most categories.

Mickey Mantle had another impressive season, batting .317 with 54 homers, 128 RBI, and 131 runs scored. His outfield partner, Roger Maris claimed MVP honors with a record 61 home runs, and added 132 runs scored and 141 RBI, both tops in the league. Elston Howard had a fine season from his catcher spot, with a .348 BA and 21 homers to round out a powerful top three hitters. Veteran lefty Whitey Ford was the Yankees ace and Cy Young winner with a 25-4 record, with support from 22-year-old Bill Stafford (14-9, 2.68 ERA).

#2: 1968 Detroit Tigers, 54.2 WAR162

The 1968 Tigers recovered from their near-miss the previous season to roll to the AL pennant with a resounding 12-game margin over the Orioles. They then rebounded from a 3-1 deficit to top the Cardinals in a dramatic 7-game World Series.

The Tigers easily led the AL in runs scored with 671, 57 ahead of their closest rival. Their 185 home runs were 52 more than the next team, and they also topped the AL in OPS in the so-called “Year of the Pitcher”. Tigers pitchers ranked third in both ERA and WHIP, and second in both strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Catcher Bill Freehan had a career year, launching 25 homers with 84 RBI and a Gold Glove for his defensive prowess. Jim Northrup added 21 homers and 90 RBI, while second baseman Dick McAuliffe scored an AL-best 95 runs and drew 82 walks. Willie Horton belted 36 homers with 85 RBI and a .285 BA to round out the Tigers’ most productive quartet. Cy Young winner Denny McLain won 31 games with a 1.96 ERA and 28 complete games, while Earl Wilson (13) and Mickey Lolich (17) combined for an additional 30 wins.

#1: 1969 Baltimore Orioles, 67.5 WAR

The 1969 Orioles turned the AL pennant race into their personal playground, topping the Tigers by 19 games to win the newly formed AL East. They then swept the Twins in 3 games to claim the pennant. The Orioles were denied a World Series title with a shocking 5-game loss to the upstart Mets.

The Orioles paced the AL in OBP and OPS, and ranked in the top three in most other categories – doubles, homers, and BA among them. Their pitching dominated the league, ranking first in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk rate.

Baltimore had a loaded cast of position players in 1969, led by Frank Robinson (.308 BA, 32 homers, 100 RBI, 111 runs scored) and Paul Blair (20 steals, .285 BA, 102 runs, Gold Glove). Boog Powell bashed 37 homers with 121 RBI and a .304 BA, and Don Buford drew 96 walks while scoring 99 runs. Brooks Robinson (23 homers, 84 RBI, Gold Glove) and Mark Belanger (.287 BA, Gold Glove) formed an outstanding left side of the Orioles infield. Mike Cuellar shared the AL Cy Young Award based on a 23-11 record and 2.38 ERA. Jim Palmer (16-4, 2.34 ERA) and Dave McNally (20-7) rounded out the best starting staff in baseball for 1969.

Summary

That’s it for the final entry in our MLB Team Rankings for the 1960s decade! Here’s a summary of the most dominant franchises of the 1960s:

1960s MLB Team Rankings Countdown: 10 through 6

Posted on by kc2519

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!