Throughout the storied history of Major League Baseball, certain teams have risen to iconic status, dominating their seasons and capturing the hearts of fans.
These are some of the most legendary baseball teams of all time, each of which changed the history of the sport. From overcoming curses to setting unprecedented records, these teams exemplify the pinnacle of baseball excellence.
15. 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers
The 2020 Dodgers dominated a shortened season, winning 43 of 60 games. Led by Mookie Betts and Corey Seager, they clinched their first World Series title in 32 years, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2. Despite pandemic challenges, the team’s powerful offense and strong pitching secured their place among baseball’s elite.
14. 1984 Detroit Tigers
The 1984 Tigers dominated from start to finish, beginning with a historic 35-5 record. Led by manager Sparky Anderson, they won 104 games and cruised through the playoffs. Stars like Alan Trammell, Jack Morris, and Kirk Gibson propelled them to a World Series victory over the Padres, cementing their legacy.
13. 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers
The 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers finally broke their World Series curse, defeating the New York Yankees in seven games. Led by NL MVP Roy Campanella and Duke Snider’s 42 home runs, the team dominated the regular season with a 98-55 record. This historic squad featured future Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, and Sandy Koufax.
12. 1929 Philadelphia Athletics
The 1929 Philadelphia Athletics dominated the American League with a 104-46 record, finishing 18 games ahead of the Yankees. Led by Hall of Famers Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, and Al Simmons, the team’s offense was unstoppable. Simmons hit .365 with 34 home runs and 157 RBIs, outperforming even Babe Ruth.
11. 1970 Baltimore Orioles
The 1970 Orioles dominated with a 108-54 record and World Series victory. Boasting three 20-game winners (McNally, Cuellar, Palmer) and AL MVP Boog Powell, they excelled in both pitching and hitting. Brooks Robinson’s defensive wizardry in the World Series solidified their place among baseball’s elite teams.
10. 1961 New York Yankees
The 1961 Yankees dominated with a 109-53 record and World Series victory. Roger Maris hit a record-breaking 61 home runs, while Mickey Mantle contributed 54. The team boasted a powerful lineup, including Yogi Berra and Elston Howard, and stellar pitching from Whitey Ford. Their .673 winning percentage remains one of the highest in MLB history.
9. 1986 New York Mets
The 1986 Mets dominated with a 108-54 record and a World Series victory. Led by stars like Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, and Gary Carter, they boasted a powerful offense and stellar pitching. Their 6.5 game NLCS win over Houston and dramatic World Series comeback against Boston cemented their legendary status.
8. 1975 Cincinnati Reds
The “Big Red Machine” dominated with a 108-54 record and World Series victory. Led by MVP Joe Morgan, the team boasted a potent lineup including Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Tony Pérez. Their .667 winning percentage and 64-17 home record remain among the best in MLB history.
7. 1932 New York Yankees
The 1932 Yankees dominated with a 107-47 record and swept the World Series. Led by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, they boasted a formidable lineup that scored 1,002 runs. The team’s .286 batting average and 160 home runs were league-leading, cementing their place among baseball’s elite.
6. 1942 St. Louis Cardinals
The 1942 Cardinals set a franchise record with 106 wins, dominating the National League. Led by stars like Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter, they defeated the New York Yankees in the World Series. This team exemplified the Cardinals’ farm system success, with nearly every player developed internally.
5. 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates
The 1909 Pirates dominated with a 110-42 record and their first World Series title. Led by shortstop Honus Wagner’s .339 batting average and rookie pitcher Babe Adams’ three World Series wins, they outscored opponents by 253 runs. Their .724 winning percentage remains one of the highest in MLB history.
4. 1906 Chicago Cubs
The 1906 Cubs set an MLB record with a .763 winning percentage, going 116-36 in the regular season. Led by player-manager Frank Chance, they dominated the National League with stellar pitching, including Mordecai Brown’s 1.04 ERA. Despite their regular-season success, they surprisingly lost the World Series to the Chicago White Sox.
3. 1998 New York Yankees
The 1998 Yankees set an American League record with 114 regular-season wins. Led by Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Bernie Williams, they dominated with a .704 winning percentage. Their pitching staff, anchored by David Cone and David Wells, was formidable. The team capped off their historic season by sweeping the World Series against the San Diego Padres.
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2. 1927 New York Yankees
The 1927 Yankees, featuring “Murderers’ Row,” are often considered the greatest MLB team ever. With a 110-44 record, they dominated the AL and swept the World Series. Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs, while Lou Gehrig added 47. The team’s .307 batting average and 158 total homers set new standards for offensive prowess.
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1. 1939 New York Yankees
The 1939 Yankees dominated with a 106-45 record and a World Series sweep. Led by Joe DiMaggio’s .381 batting average and Red Ruffing’s 21 wins, they outscored opponents by 411 runs. This legendary team, featuring five Hall of Famers, is often considered one of baseball’s greatest.
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