The greatest baseball team of all-time: let the debate begin

College Confidential Community
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<p>This is a question that has divided many fans of the game because there is no real answer to it. However, it can also bring together generations of fans who each had their teams and their heroes, whether it be Stan “the Man” Musial or Derek Jeter. There have been several great teams that will forever live in baseball lure, teams like 1927 Yankees, the Big Red Machine, and the Gashouse Gang Cardinals of the 1930s.</p>

<p>Most people tend to choose a team from their childhood as the best ever because they remember watching that team in awe as children. I am still quite young, but I am no exception to this sentiment. I remember watching the late 90s New York Yankees and how they would turn the playoffs each year into their own personal victory lap. </p>

<p>The 1998 team in particular was truly special. They had 114 wins, 125 if you count the playoffs. After starting out 0-3, they never looked back. They even capped off their dream season with a World Series sweep of the San Diego Padres. The best part was, they were a classy group of individuals who knew how to win as team, a feature that is non-existent in the current team. No amount of money can buy team chemistry. They were great to watch as an 8-year old kid and I feel that they are the greatest team of all-time.</p>

<p>So what baseball team do you think is the greatest?</p>

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<p>Bump~~~~~~</p>

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<p>I think I’d have to agree with you on late-90s Yankees being the best team I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime. Was the 1998 team the one that set the record for wins in a season? For some reason I seem to think it was an early-21st century Yankees team that did that.</p>

<p>For all time teams, the Yankees of the Murderers Row era seemed pretty fearsome. As for non-Yankees teams, the Big Red Machine was awesome back in their day.</p>

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<p>The record for wins in a season is 116 by the 1906 Cubs and the 2001 Mariners. However, neither of these teams won the World Series. Therefore, I think that the 1998 Yankees were better than both of these teams, despite the fact that they “only” won 114 games.</p>

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<p>youve got to give it up for the tigers this year!!!</p>

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<p>The '27 Yankees with Ruth and Gehrig in their primes and murder’s row, is the best team ever by a longshot. I am partial to the '95 Indians myself. If not for a horrible showing in the WS that team would be among the greatest ever. 1-9 I have never seen a better lineup. 100 wins in a 144 game season? Sweet!</p>

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<p>The 1984 Tigers were much better than the 2006 Tiger’s team. It was nice to see a great baseball towm like Detroit have a resurgent season like that though. And this is coming from a frustrated Yankee fan.</p>

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<p>The '27 Yankees were truly a great team. However, I don’t think that they would beat the '98 Yankees. They may not be called murder’s row, and their Hall of Fame talent is dwarfed by the '27 team. However, that team was much greater than the sum of its parts. They weren’t a buch of big-shots who are just looking to boost their stats (like some CCers). Instead, they were a team, plain and simple. They complemented each other so well. They always found a way to win, whether it be via the home run or bunt single. The '98 Yankees may not be as intimidating as the '27 squad, but I think that they were much more balanced and could beat you in so many ways. Therefore, I’d think they’d win in a matchup.</p>

<p>As for the '95 Indians, the 100-44 record was quite an accomplishment, but the lack of a World Series title ruins their chances to be considered one of the great teams. If anyone is into this type of stuff, I recommend the website Whatifsports.com.</p>

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<p>Hepstar, youre right on!!!</p>

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<p>2004 Red Sox baby! Yankees blow</p>

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<p>The 1992/1993 Toronto Blue Jays. Back-to-back World Series Champions. </p>

<p>Look at the line-up from '93:</p>

<p>Rickey Henderson LF (52 SB)
Devon White CF (15 HR, 34 SB, GG)
Paul Molitor DH (.332, 22 HR, 111 RBI)
Joe Carter RF (33 HR, 121 RBI)
John Olerud 1B (.363, 24 HR, 107 RBI)
Roberto Alomar 2B (.326, 17 HR, 93 RBI)
Tony Fernandez SS (.306)
Ed Sprague 3B
Pat Borders C</p>

<p>Starting rotation:</p>

<p>Juan Guzman (14-3)
Pat Hentgen (19-9)
Jack Morris
Dave Stewart
Todd Stottlemyre</p>

<p>And Duane Ward (45 SV, 2.14 ERA) as closer.</p>

<p>GOLD.</p>

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<p>Yankees=the best. too bad the astros got their buts whipped in 2005 :(</p>

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<p>The 1993 Blue Jays were also the longest reigning world champs ever.</p>

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<p>'27 Yanks. Hard to imagine comparing any other team to them!</p>

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<p>I second the one about Mariners. They were amazing in 2001, what happened to them?</p>

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<p>Fides et Ratio you guys beat us in the world series that year :frowning: Worst WS ever :/</p>

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<p>The '01 Mariners were very good, but the 1998 Yankees are still better. Here are 7 reasons why '98 is great:</p>

<p>1.) The '98 Yankees led the league in both runs scored and had the lowest team ERA by far. This showed that they were great both offensively and defensively.</p>

<p>2.) They had 10 people w/10 home runs. An attack as balanced as theirs was unprecedented. I mean come on, Brosius, their #9 hitter had almost 100 RBI. Not many teams can say that. usually the #9 hitter can’t hit a lick, that’s why he’s batting 9th.</p>

<p>3.) The pitching staff had a an ERA of below 4 in the AL, quite an accomplishment if you consider that at this time, everyone was juicing and breaking offensive records.</p>

<p>4.) David Wells pitched a perfect game for them (Yeah Boomer!!!).</p>

<p>5.) People often say that the 1998 squad had no superstars. This is far from the truth. Bernie Williams won the batting title that year and was 2nd in on base %. Jeter led the league in runs and was 3rd in hits. David Cone tied for the league lead in wins. Another David, David Wells that is, led the league in shutouts, had the best winning % of any starting pitcher and allowed the fewest walks per game. To cap if off, Chuck Knoblauch, the little engine that could, was hit by more pitches than anyone in the league. These are only some of the individual accomplishments of the 1998 Yankee players.</p>

<p>6.) Two words: Mariano Rivera. Even though it wsn’t one of his great years, he still was great when they needed him to be. They’re already preparing his Cooperstown plaque as we speak.</p>

<p>7.) Staying power. Many great teams have one fantastic year, then fade away. Teams like the 1984 Tigers fall into this category, as they had a very good 104 win World Series Season, then didn’t even win their division the following year. The 1998 Yankees, although not as dominating in the following years, won the World Series in 1999 and 2000. Their combined World Series Record from their 3-year run was 12 and 1. That’s pretty darn good.</p>