The greatest baseball team (since expansion in 1962)...

The previous poll was a bit flawed. Here is one for teams since 1962, when both leagues had expanded. When this one has a fair number of votes, I'll start another one mixing the top 4 teams or so here with some of the other all-time greats. The '27 Yankees had a fair plurality in the old poll, so I thought I'd open up for newer teams.

Yes, I know there are some good teams left off. I only included World Series winners in this poll. Some of the teams I picked are merely representative of "mini-dynasty" that may have lasted several years with the same core players (e.g. the "Big Red Machine", Finley's A's, Weaver's Orioles, Cox's Braves, etc.).

Edit: BTW, I know the '61 Yankees were after the AL expansion... but I'll include them with the All-Time Poll.

I'm gonna ponder my vote for a bit.

 

I had to go with the 1970 Orioles, awesome tema that year. The Robinsons were the core of the team. Thought the 1983 Orioles were great too.

I would have said the 1991 Atlanta Braves, I watched that team alot that year they did some awesome stuff. Then the world series that year was great too, all but one game decided by 1 run. The 91 Braves I believe should have been champs, two calls in game 7 and a baserunning error by Lonnie Smith cost them the championship.

 

I picked the 75 Reds.

 

I vote for the 1989 A's. They had:

pitching (4-time 20 game winner Dave Stewart, future Cy Young winner Bob Welch, Mike Moore, Storm Davis, future Cy Young winner and MVP Dennis Eckersley)

hitting (1986 Rookie of the Year and 1988 MVP Jose Canseco, 1987 Rookie of the Year and future single season home run king Mark McGuire, 1990 MVP and all-time stolen base leader Ricky Henderson)

defense (1998 Rookie of the Year Walt Weiss, Gold Glove winner McGuire)

veteran leadership (Carney Lansford, Dave Parker)

managing (Tony LaRussa, Dave Duncan)

They even survived an earthquake to sweep the Giants.

 

'89 A's -
Good one.

 

I think if you're basing this on what the team did in the playoffs, then I would have to take the 1999 Yankees. Here was a team that lost one LESS playoff game(at the hands of Pedro no less) than the team that broke the AL win total the year before. I think an 11-1 playoff run and a 4-0 sweep of the mighty Braves would definitely warrant a best-ever vote.

However, if you're basing it on the regular season, then I would have to say the 1998 Yanks. That was some kinda team.

 

1975 Reds (108-54)

 

The Big Red Machine.

 

1998 Yankees!

 

The Big Red Machine

 

Where's the 2001 Devil Rays on that list?

 

There's a team called the Devil Rays?

 

THE CUBS!

 

Big Red Machine.

 

Jays forever!

Yanks never!

But I'm pretty sure the 75 Reds could have squeaked by the 93 Jays, in extra innings in Game 7, by one run...

But I voted Jays anyway. What an amazing offensive team.

Did I mention I hate the Yanks? Their mere existence is bloody offensive.

 

2003 Tigers.

 

98 Yankees.

114 regular season victories, 125 total. Swept the World Series.

They dominated the long haul of the regular season, and didn't only not choke in the playoffs, they swept the WS in grand fashion. This was also the team that kicked off a run of 3 consecutive world titles.

They were the greatest since 62.

 

Blue Jays.

//bias

 

I'm also partial to the 1990 Reds who went wire to wire and swept the A's in the series.

 

The Reds.

 

1998 Yankees