Most Popular MLB Teams

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

This is something I've been kicking around the last few days. What are the most popular/memorable teams of each decade? While these teams are generally winners, we're not necessarily looking for the very best. What we want are teams that have stuck around, can sell books and movies, etc. Feel free to voice your own thoughts and opinions.

 

2000s: 2004 Red Sox (The "Idiots")

 

1990s: 1998 New York Yankees

 

1980s: 1988 Oakland Athletics

It's hard to say what steroids will do to their legacy. Still, this team was the only team of the decade to garner a truly national following.

 

1970s: 1975 Cincinnati Reds ("The Big Red Machine")

 

1960s: 1961 New York Yankees

Yankees or the Miracle Mets? I'm inclined to take the Yankees due to the renewed interest in Roger Maris.

 

1950s: 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers ("Dem Bums")

 

1940s: ?

I'm stumped. The 1948 Indians, featuring the first Negro players to win a World Series? The 1946 Red Sox, featuring the "teammates" written about by David Halberstam? The '41 Yankees or Dodgers? The 1947 Dodgers, with Jackie breaking the color barrier?

 

1930s: 1934 St. Louis Cardinals ("The Gas House Gang")

 

1920s: 1927 New York Yankees ("Murderers' Row")

 

1910s: 1919 Chicago White Sox ("The Black Sox")

 

1900s: 1906 Chicago Cubs

"These are the saddest of possible words, Tinker to Evers to Chance"

 

1870s-1890s: Can anyone think of teams offhand?

 

1860s: 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings

The first professional team, reeled off 65 consecutive victories in exhibitions.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I like a lot of your selections but I have some personal choices that I would pick-

 

2000's- While Boston is probably the consensus choice due to the story involved and them doing the improbable and coming back in the LCS, I would have to say personally I preferred the White Sox of this year. They came close to having a historic meltdown, pulled it out in the end, and went on a postseason record of 11-1, sweeping two rounds including the World Series and losing only once, in the ALCS. Plus they had a drought to match the Red Sox's.

 

1970s- the 1972 Oakland Athletics. They were the flashy team that got the job done when it counted. And come on, any team with the names "Catfish Hunter", "Vida Blue", "Rollie Fingers", etc has gotta make that list.

 

We already debated the 1890s issue, and I think your choices of either the Braves or Orioles would work fine.

[the pinjockey 0]

I think Boston gets knocked down a bit for what happened after they won the title. The attitude, nationwide, seemed to wane from "Boston is the lovable losers who finally won" to "Enough of the god damn Red Sox all over everything. Woe is the second highest payroll in baseball. I'm tired of hearing about them." So I wonder how well they will hold up in the long run.

 

That said, I don't see the White Sox holding up in history and other than that there isn't much competition:

Subway series Yankees - pass

Arizona - beat the only Yankee team that many people likely rooted for (9/11 Yankees)

Angels - do people even remember they won a title

Marlins - no, their most lasting achievement was making Mik look like a psychic

[Guest Leelee]

1870s-1890s: Can anyone think of teams offhand?

 

If you can't, I doubt any of us will.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I think Boston gets knocked down a bit for what happened after they won the title. The attitude, nationwide, seemed to wane from "Boston is the lovable losers who finally won" to "Enough of the god damn Red Sox all over everything. Woe is the second highest payroll in baseball. I'm tired of hearing about them." So I wonder how well they will hold up in the long run.

 

That said, I don't see the White Sox holding up in history and other than that there isn't much competition:

Subway series Yankees - pass

Arizona - beat the only Yankee team that many people likely rooted for (9/11 Yankees)

Angels - do people even remember they won a title

Marlins - no, their most lasting achievement was making Mik look like a psychic

Most of it is respect for what they accomplished, breaking a famous 86 year drought and doing so in more dramatic fashion than anyone believed possible. Most championship teams grow sore over time, and it certainly is not a trait exclusive to the Sox. Besides, at the moment there is little else. The only other substantially noteable team is the Moneyball Athletics.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1870s-1890s: Can anyone think of teams offhand?

 

If you can't, I doubt any of us will.

I could easily look for the best teams. But that's not quite what I want. Is there a team from that era remembered by more than hardcore fans? I'm thinking the 1890s Orioles, and Cap Anson's White Stockings might be known somewhat.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

How about the 1940s? If you could see any one team from that era come back and play today, who would it be?

[Guest Leelee]

I guess Brooklyn with Jackie Robinson. The best teams were still the Yankees and Cardinals then, and they had more notable teams before that. I'd actually like to see how dominating Ted Williams was. I think his .400 season, and triple crown season were in the 40's. And Musial.

[Beast 0]

I would watch the Boys of the Summer over the 50's Yanks possibly, but 1949 was the first year with Stengel, and hearing so many stories about that team from Dynasty and Summer of '49, they'd easily be the team of the 40's for me, even for one year.

[The Man in Blak 0]

1980s: 1988 Oakland Athletics

It's hard to say what steroids will do to their legacy. Still, this team was the only team of the decade to garner a truly national following.

 

I'm a little surprised that you didn't mention the Amazing Mets of 1986 for the 80's.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I like a lot of your selections but I have some personal choices that I would pick-

 

2000's- While Boston is probably the consensus choice due to the story involved and them doing the improbable and coming back in the LCS, I would have to say personally I preferred the White Sox of this year.

Lowest-rated World Series in history. Al said a criterion was being able to sell books and movies. Sox couldn't even get people to watch the damn games.

[cabbageboy 0]

Well, of course the Red Sox will get that since them breaking the curse was way more interesting and notable than the White Sox this year.

 

I might actually go with the D'Backs from this decade though. It was to me the appropriate ending to that World Series. Just because of 9/11 that didn't entitle the Yankees to yet ANOTHER World Series title.

 

Mark Grace getting a ring > Red Sox winning.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

It's clearly a homer pick on my part. I will remember the White Sox more than the Red Sox.

[Sass 0]

Until Peter O'Malley gave them up, the Los Angeles Dodgers had great attendance for nearly 50 years.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1980s: 1988 Oakland Athletics

It's hard to say what steroids will do to their legacy. Still, this team was the only team of the decade to garner a truly national following.

 

I'm a little surprised that you didn't mention the Amazing Mets of 1986 for the 80's.

I will confess the Mets were just before my time when I started watching sports. I just remember how big a phenomenon the Bash Brothers were in their heyday. Of course when ESPN listed the top teams of the last 25 years, they (nor any other '80s team) made the list. They're still the only team from that decade to win three league pennants.

 

Well, of course the Red Sox will get that since them breaking the curse was way more interesting and notable than the White Sox this year.

 

I might actually go with the D'Backs from this decade though. It was to me the appropriate ending to that World Series. Just because of 9/11 that didn't entitle the Yankees to yet ANOTHER World Series title.

 

Mark Grace getting a ring > Red Sox winning.

As with Porter and the White Sox, it's really a matter of personal preference. That team was a fun team, but for me they just don't have the history.

[Guest]

Until Peter O'Malley gave them up, the Los Angeles Dodgers had great attendance for nearly 50 years.

FERNANDOMANIA!

[cabbageboy 0]

Well I mentioned the D'Backs since they were involved in the best World Series of the decade by far. And yes, I know Angels/Giants went 7 but that series had all the appeal and heat of a damp rag. And as far as the Red Sox and White Sox, the World Series they were in were both just squash series.

 

The best story of this decade? Red Sox winning. Best Series? 2001 easily. Best actual team? I'd go with the White Sox this year. Hard to argue with an 11-1 playoff record, with the 1 loss by 1 run.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Well I mentioned the D'Backs since they were involved in the best World Series of the decade by far. And yes, I know Angels/Giants went 7 but that series had all the appeal and heat of a damp rag. And as far as the Red Sox and White Sox, the World Series they were in were both just squash series.

 

The best story of this decade? Red Sox winning. Best Series? 2001 easily. Best actual team? I'd go with the White Sox this year. Hard to argue with an 11-1 playoff record, with the 1 loss by 1 run.

The best story is probably the best factor. The best team was probably the 2001 Mariners who won 116 games. But they were bounced from the playoffs and were largely a one year wonder. 2001 was the best series, but then again not many people wax nostalgic about the 1991 Twins. And I don't mean to downplay those Diamondbacks in any way.

[Jericholic82 0]

Well, of course the Red Sox will get that since them breaking the curse was way more interesting and notable than the White Sox this year.

 

I might actually go with the D'Backs from this decade though. It was to me the appropriate ending to that World Series. Just because of 9/11 that didn't entitle the Yankees to yet ANOTHER World Series title.

 

Mark Grace getting a ring > Red Sox winning.

Even as a die hard Yankees fan I might have to agree abit there. the 01 ws was a strange one and exciting at the same time. The dbacks dominated the series, yet the yanks had some miracles and made a sereis out of it. Plus it came down to the bottom of the 9th of the 7th game, thats excitement. either team could ahve won it, but the dbacks took advantage of a rare off night for Mo (well back then he didnt have any off nights in the playoffs), and JUST won it it with a floater over 2nd base.

 

of course writing this kinda makes me sad a bit, but time has been good to it for me and I can now revel in just the excitement of it.

 

 

 

the subway sereis gets hated cuz it had little interest due to 2 NY teams, but it was one of the closest 5 game series I have seen. every game was a tight one, with Game 1 being an awesome game and Game 2 had the mets just fall short of a comeback in the 9th, the final game was a nail biter that didnt stop untill the final out (as Piazza launched a shot with a runner on and down by two, that at first looked liek it could get out, but settled in Bernies glove, and I was able to breathe again)

 

 

since I was born in the 80s, I will stick to the times I remember (and I dont actaully remember baseball of the 80s cuz I was a kid and didnt really watch allt he post seasons, especially sicne the Yankees werent in any of them after I was born)

 

 

but for the 80s, I guess I'll take the 86 Mets

 

90's- 1996 Yankees (personal fav as it wa steh first championship I witnessed and a very exciting series to boot)

 

00's- 01 D-Backs (they beat Mo in the 9th inning of game 7, what an ending, it's hard to compare with anyone else) 04 red sox and 05 white sox have very high honorable mention for me, with the white sox reminding me of the 99 yankees (same playoff record and all)

03 marlins are forgettable but still a story to note (though it seemed like the Yankees had nothing left after the ALCS, so it made for a plodding WS at best)

[Steve J. Rogers 0]

I will confess the Mets were just before my time when I started watching sports. I just remember how big a phenomenon the Bash Brothers were in their heyday. Of course when ESPN listed the top teams of the last 25 years, they (nor any other '80s team) made the list. They're still the only team from that decade to win three league pennants.

 

That makes me feel OLD! Thanks, and I'm less than 400 days away from the big 30!

 

My God, I can start telling kids about how I saw the great Mike Schmidt in the twilight of his glorious career and get "Mike who?"

 

Hell with seeing stars of the 70's wrapping up, I can tell kids I saw the entirty of soon to be HOFers careers! Like, "Man that Tony Gwynn fellow, he could sure hit" "Uh, Tony Gwynn? The guy on ESPN that looks more like Tony Soprano or Tony Siragusa?"

 

"Lord I'm much too young to feel THIS DAMN OLD"-Garth Brooks

 

 

Anyway the 1950's have to be the NYC trio of Yankees, Dodgers and Giants

 

The 60's, probably 1961 Yanks, the Cards from 64-68, 69 Mets get alot of love, Dodgers as well

 

70's the A's, Orioles, Reds, the last of the Clemente years Pirates and later the "We Are Family" Pirates

 

80's, Cards get some love with the Whiteyball era, 86 Mets were probably the most dominate team for one season, course things got very hairy that postseason, 80 Phillies get alot of love

 

90's Probably the 98 Yanks, but will all the Anti-Yankee sentiment in the last decade or so I'm not sure if they have staying power.

 

Steve

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

That makes me feel OLD! Thanks, and I'm less than 400 days away from the big 30!

 

My God, I can start telling kids about how I saw the great Mike Schmidt in the twilight of his glorious career and get "Mike who?"

 

Hell with seeing stars of the 70's wrapping up, I can tell kids I saw the entirty of soon to be HOFers careers! Like, "Man that Tony Gwynn fellow, he could sure hit" "Uh, Tony Gwynn? The guy on ESPN that looks more like Tony Soprano or Tony Siragusa?"

 

"Lord I'm much too young to feel THIS DAMN OLD"-Garth Brooks

 

I have a friend that felt old the first time he saw Willie Randolph in an old timers' game. It's bad enough that there are All-Stars now younger than me.

 

Anyway the 1950's have to be the NYC trio of Yankees, Dodgers and Giants

 

The 60's, probably 1961 Yanks, the Cards from 64-68, 69 Mets get alot of love, Dodgers as well

 

Agreed.

 

70's the A's, Orioles, Reds, the last of the Clemente years Pirates and later the "We Are Family" Pirates

 

Someone above made the comment that the 2005 White Sox were to be discounted because of the poor World Series ratings. I would wonder if the same applies to those A's, one of which finished 11th in the league in attendance. The 1979 Pirates are an interesting bunch. They would be my personal favorite, but I wonder if anyone else is as fond of them. Lot's of memorable players, such as Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, Bert Blyleven and Kent Tekulve. Phil Garner and Dale Berra sat on the bench.

 

80's, Cards get some love with the Whiteyball era, 86 Mets were probably the most dominate team for one season, course things got very hairy that postseason, 80 Phillies get alot of love

 

'86 Mets get a lot of attention. The Running Redbirds were an interesting bunch, but I've never seen a book written about them. There's regional interest in the '80 Phillies, but anything beyond that? I honestly don't know.

 

90's Probably the 98 Yanks, but will all the Anti-Yankee sentiment in the last decade or so I'm not sure if they have staying power.

 

Looking at a recent perspective, no other Yankee team in history managed to shake the hated rival moniker quite like the '98 squad. Writers like Daniel Okrent (former SI editor) who grew up hating the Yankees admired their class and dignity. I think it'll stick. After all, most fans still pine for the players of that team.

[Steve J. Rogers 0]

'86 Mets get a lot of attention. The Running Redbirds were an interesting bunch, but I've never seen a book written about them. There's regional interest in the '80 Phillies, but anything beyond that? I honestly don't know.

 

I've seen a book last year on the Herzog era called "Whitey's Boys" Don't ask me what it was doing in a bookstore in the NYC area though... =

 

 

Lets see some more...

 

1930's Gashouse Gang had its fair share, Dizzy Dean sure was an icon for alot of years especially when he was a national broadcaster the last few decades of his life.

 

The DiMaggio-McCarthy Yanks get alot of love as that really was the beginings of the Yankees being THE YANKEES. Great book came out a few years ago about the 39 team in particular BTW called Legend In The Making by Richard Tofel. Premesis being that the 1939 title was the one that put the Yanks ahead to stay in the All-Time Championships won category which solidified the case as the dominant franchise of all-time

 

1940's. Cards really dominated the war years and I really can't give the Yanks much props since DiMaggio was in the war. Only books and historic relevance are on 41 (DiMagg streak, Williams ASG and Williams .407) 47 (Robinson debut and one hell of a WS) and 49 (Great race between the Yanks and Red Sox, probably the real start of the rivalry when you think about it)

 

1920's Gotta give it to Yanks and Philly A's

 

1910's Probably the NY Giants, Philly A's thrown in there, both early though. Red Sox of the Speaker, Ruth, Hooper vintage

 

1900's McGraw and Mathewson and NYC's first big time franchise. Philly A's as well as Mr. Mack started his run

[Jericholic82 0]

That makes me feel OLD! Thanks, and I'm less than 400 days away from the big 30!

 

My God, I can start telling kids about how I saw the great Mike Schmidt in the twilight of his glorious career and get "Mike who?"

 

Hell with seeing stars of the 70's wrapping up, I can tell kids I saw the entirty of soon to be HOFers careers! Like, "Man that Tony Gwynn fellow, he could sure hit" "Uh, Tony Gwynn? The guy on ESPN that looks more like Tony Soprano or Tony Siragusa?"

 

"Lord I'm much too young to feel THIS DAMN OLD"-Garth Brooks

 

I have a friend that felt old the first time he saw Willie Randolph in an old timers' game. It's bad enough that there are All-Stars now younger than me.

 

Anyway the 1950's have to be the NYC trio of Yankees, Dodgers and Giants

 

The 60's, probably 1961 Yanks, the Cards from 64-68, 69 Mets get alot of love, Dodgers as well

 

Agreed.

 

70's the A's, Orioles, Reds, the last of the Clemente years Pirates and later the "We Are Family" Pirates

 

Someone above made the comment that the 2005 White Sox were to be discounted because of the poor World Series ratings. I would wonder if the same applies to those A's, one of which finished 11th in the league in attendance. The 1979 Pirates are an interesting bunch. They would be my personal favorite, but I wonder if anyone else is as fond of them. Lot's of memorable players, such as Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, Bert Blyleven and Kent Tekulve. Phil Garner and Dale Berra sat on the bench.

 

80's, Cards get some love with the Whiteyball era, 86 Mets were probably the most dominate team for one season, course things got very hairy that postseason, 80 Phillies get alot of love

 

'86 Mets get a lot of attention. The Running Redbirds were an interesting bunch, but I've never seen a book written about them. There's regional interest in the '80 Phillies, but anything beyond that? I honestly don't know.

 

90's Probably the 98 Yanks, but will all the Anti-Yankee sentiment in the last decade or so I'm not sure if they have staying power.

 

Looking at a recent perspective, no other Yankee team in history managed to shake the hated rival moniker quite like the '98 squad. Writers like Daniel Okrent (former SI editor) who grew up hating the Yankees admired their class and dignity. I think it'll stick. After all, most fans still pine for the players of that team.

The recent Yankee hatred seemed to surface after they finished winning championships. I thought that was the reason it started, but it seemed more to do with them spending so much money and general dislike of Steinbrenner (and people in general seem to have somewhat of an Anti-NY sports bias epsecially when the team is consistently good,meaniing they get a lot of media coverage, on top of the usual media central that is NY)

[The Czech Republic 0]

Someone above made the comment that the 2005 White Sox were to be discounted because of the poor World Series ratings.

yo

 

 

 

 

Yeah the 05 ChiSox are a lot like the 02 Angels, moreso than the 04 Red Sox comparisons that were bandied about. Big city's B-team wins it all in an uncompelling postseason with a team of not-so-big names, and their achievement will soon be forgotten by most of the country. I'd have forgotten already if I didn't have to come in contact with the boorish descendants of South Side Irish. Nobody will forget the great Oakland teams, be it Finley's gaudy 'stache guys, or the Bash Brothers. Everyone remembers Rollie Fingers, Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter, and then Canseco & McGwire. Nobody's going to remember Jon Garland and Joe Crede. The one guy who was actually the face of the White Sox through their last fifteen years of being kinda good and not dressing like the blind, didn't even play. Oakland's attendance figures notwithstanding, something's gotta be said for the fact that 2001 gave us a classic World Series, 2003 and 2004 gave us four amazing LCSs, all signaling a renaissance of sorts for baseball. But when the White Sox stepped up, America collectively said "Aw. I thought House would be on."

 

 

Both A's runs were turning points in baseball, I feel. The White Sox are just going to be a team that happened to win one year.

[Vern Gagne 0]

1890's-It's got to be the Baltimore Orioles. Not only did they dominate, but they allegedly used all kinds of underhanded tricks.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1930's Gashouse Gang had its fair share, Dizzy Dean sure was an icon for alot of years especially when he was a national broadcaster the last few decades of his life.

 

The DiMaggio-McCarthy Yanks get alot of love as that really was the beginings of the Yankees being THE YANKEES. Great book came out a few years ago about the 39 team in particular BTW called Legend In The Making by Richard Tofel. Premesis being that the 1939 title was the one that put the Yanks ahead to stay in the All-Time Championships won category which solidified the case as the dominant franchise of all-time

 

Interesting premise, but what really separates them from the '38 or '37 squads? Those late '30s Yankee teams may have been the greatest team of all time, but if you polled Yankee fans they might not top fourth place among Yankee squads.

 

1940's. Cards really dominated the war years and I really can't give the Yanks much props since DiMaggio was in the war. Only books and historic relevance are on 41 (DiMagg streak, Williams ASG and Williams .407) 47 (Robinson debut and one hell of a WS) and 49 (Great race between the Yanks and Red Sox, probably the real start of the rivalry when you think about it)

 

There's some good debate on the 1940s teams as I expected. There are memorable teams that many have mentioned, but none stand far above the pack.

 

1920's Gotta give it to Yanks and Philly A's

 

1910's Probably the NY Giants, Philly A's thrown in there, both early though. Red Sox of the Speaker, Ruth, Hooper vintage

 

And the Black Sox? They're clearly most famous, but I can see reasons for excluding them. The 1911 A's are likely next with the $100,000 infield. There's renewed interest in the McGraw/Mathewson teaming these days as well.

 

1900's McGraw and Mathewson and NYC's first big time franchise. Philly A's as well as Mr. Mack started his run

 

What about the '06 Cubs?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The recent Yankee hatred seemed to surface after they finished winning championships. I thought that was the reason it started, but it seemed more to do with them spending so much money and general dislike of Steinbrenner (and people in general seem to have somewhat of an Anti-NY sports bias epsecially when the team is consistently good,meaniing they get a lot of media coverage, on top of the usual media central that is NY)

There has always been a hatred of the New York Yankees, and it is almost entirely due to their extended success. MLB actually created a rul after the 1939 season that the defending World Champions could not add players, after the Yankees won their fourth consecutive World Championship. It's nothing new.

 

1890's-It's got to be the Baltimore Orioles. Not only did they dominate, but they allegedly used all kinds of underhanded tricks.

Absolutely they bent the rules. ALL teams bent the rules, but the Orioles were the worst offenders. They're clearly the most famous team of the 1890s, except possibly the 1869 Red Stockings (a traveling exhibition team), and the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (famous because they were so terrible).

[Fökai 0]

I'm surprised the '88 Dodgers made it this long without being mentioned. when you consider the replayability and appeal of a single season. Of course, I'm not old enough to have experienced the Bash Brothers, but Gibson in Game 1 is enough to make anyone like that Dodger team.

[Bored 0]

but Gibson in Game 1 is enough to make anyone like that Dodger team.

Or have a murderous hatred for them. I'd like to beat Mickey Hatcher to death just for his Game 1 homerun where he ran around the bases like an idiot.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

How many players does the average fan remember besides Gibson and Orel Hershiser? The '81 Dodgers would be a more interesting case, as Fernando Valenzuela was a real phenomenon at the time.