Few debates in sports spark as much passion as the argument over the best MLB teams of all time. With more than a century of baseball history, legendary dynasties, and unforgettable single-season runs, fans have long compared teams across eras often with little more than anecdotes and nostalgia. But thanks to modern analytics, we can now bring data to the barstool.
Using the historical TRACR model, which normalizes team performance across different eras and league environments, The Analyst has ranked the best MLB teams of all time, offering a definitive, data-driven answer to this age-old question.
10 Best MLB Teams of All Time
Below is a breakdown of the top teams, as ranked by TRACR, with explanations for why each club stands out in baseball history.
1. 1939 New York Yankees
The 1939 Yankees top the list with a TRACR of 3.03, representing the pinnacle of the franchise’s 27 World Series titles. This team, led by Joe DiMaggio, Joe Gordon, and Bill Dickey, dominated the American League with a 106-45 record, finishing 17 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. Their pitching, anchored by Hall of Famers Red Ruffing and Lefty Gomez, produced the best defensive TRACR (D-TRACR) of the modern era at -1.74.
The Yankees swept the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series, with Charlie Keller hitting three home runs in the Fall Classic. As The Analyst notes, “These Yankees were exceptional in terms of run prevention, finishing with by far the best D-TRACR (minus-1.74) of the modern era”.
2. 1927 New York Yankees
Often cited as the greatest team ever, the 1927 Yankees (TRACR 2.73) featured the legendary “Murderers’ Row” lineup with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Ruth hit 60 home runs, a record at the time, and Gehrig added 47. The team finished 110-44, swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series, and set a new standard for offensive dominance. Their combination of power, pitching, and star power makes them a perennial favorite in any all-time discussion.
3. 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite the shortened 60-game season, the 2020 Dodgers (TRACR 2.51) finally broke through after years of postseason heartbreak. They posted an MLB-best 43 wins, swept through the early playoff rounds, and overcame a 3-1 deficit in the NLCS before winning the World Series.
Their pitching staff delivered the third-best D-TRACR (-1.34) of the modern era, and Corey Seager’s postseason heroics earned him both NLCS and World Series MVP honors. As The Analyst puts it, “You can put an asterisk on this one if you’d like… But after years of knocking on the door, the Dodgers finally put it all together in 2020”.
4. 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates
The 1902 Pirates (TRACR 2.49) dominated the National League, finishing 103-36 and winning the pennant by 27.5 games. Hall of Famer Honus Wagner led the league with 91 RBIs, and Ginger Beaumont won the batting title with a .357 average.
The team’s pitching staff allowed just four home runs all season, and their offensive TRACR (1.60) ranks among the best ever. The Analyst highlights, “This Pittsburgh team ended up with the 10th-best offensive TRACR (1.60) of the modern era”.
5. 1937 New York Yankees
Another Yankees powerhouse, the 1937 squad (TRACR 2.34) featured Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Bill Dickey in a fearsome lineup. Gehrig hit .351 with 37 home runs and 158 RBIs, while DiMaggio added 46 homers and 167 RBIs.
The pitching staff, led by Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing, both 20-game winners, helped the team to a 102-52 record and a World Series victory over the New York Giants. The Analyst notes, “This was the last season in which Gehrig batted over .300 with over 30 homers before having to retire after the 1939 season”.
6. 1936 New York Yankees
The 1936 Yankees (TRACR 2.26) marked the beginning of a new dynasty, winning the first of four straight titles. Joe DiMaggio’s rookie season (.323, 29 HR, 125 RBIs) paired with Lou Gehrig’s MVP-caliber performance (.354, 49 HR, 152 RBIs) made for one of the best duos in history. Red Ruffing began his run of four consecutive 20-win seasons, and the team’s resurgence set the stage for continued dominance.
7. 1929 Philadelphia Athletics
Managed by Connie Mack, the 1929 Athletics (TRACR 2.18) broke through after years of Yankees dominance. Lefty Grove led the league in ERA and strikeouts, George Earnshaw won 24 games, and the offense featured Hall of Famers Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, and Al Simmons. The A’s defeated the Chicago Cubs in five games to win the World Series, cementing their place among the all-time greats.
8. 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers
While the 2022 Dodgers (TRACR 2.17) did not win the World Series, their regular-season dominance was undeniable. They tied for fourth all-time with 111 regular-season wins and posted the seventh-best D-TRACR (-1.28) of the modern era. The Analyst explains, “It’s important to note that our historic TRACR measures performance over the entirety of the season; we’re not just listing title winners”.
9. 1906 Chicago Cubs
The 1906 Cubs (TRACR 2.13) set a modern-era record with 116 wins and a .763 winning percentage, a mark that stood alone until the 2001 Mariners matched it. Their famous double-play combination, Tinker to Evers to Chance and ace pitcher Three Finger Brown led the way. Despite their World Series loss to the White Sox, their regular-season performance remains historic.
10. 1901 Pittsburgh Pirates
At the dawn of the modern era, the 1901 Pirates (TRACR 2.10) posted a 90-49 record and won the first of three straight NL pennants. Honus Wagner hit .353 with 126 RBIs and 49 stolen bases, while Deacon Phillippe and Jack Chesbro anchored the pitching staff. The Analyst notes, “Pittsburgh posted the ninth-best offensive TRACR (1.63) we’ve recorded”.
These rankings, powered by the TRACR model, allow for a fair comparison across baseball’s many eras, accounting for changes in league environment, competition, and roster construction.
As The Analyst puts it, “TRACR normalizes performance from league environmental factors that can either inflate or deflate numbers… making it possible to compare teams across eras”. This approach brings new clarity to the debate and highlights the enduring greatness of these iconic teams.
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