#16- Anaheim Pepper Pickers (29)
World Series- 0
Pennants- 1
LCS- 2
Division- 8
Wild Card- 3
100 Win Seasons- 3
Winning Seasons- 12
#15- Honolulu Ohana (31)
World Series- 0
Pennants- 1
LCS- 4
Division- 5
Wild Card- 3
100 Win Seasons- 4
Winning Seasons- 9
#13- Oakland Athletics (33) (tied)
World Series- 0
Pennants- 2
LCS- 4
Division- 5
Wild Card- 4
100 Win Seasons- 3
Winning Seasons- 11
#13- Cleveland Lake Shores (33) (tied)
World Series- 0
Pennants- 1
LCS- 3
Division- 5
Wild Card- 6
100 Win Seasons- 0
Winning Seasons- 14
#12- Norfolk Whiskey Jacks (34)
World Series- 0
Pennants- 0
LCS- 2
Division- 9
Wild Card- 5
100 Win Seasons- 6
Winning Seasons- 11
*highest ranked team without a World Series win
#11- New Orleans Jazz (37)
World Series- 1
Pennants- 1
LCS- 1
Division- 9
Wild Card- 4
100 Win Seasons- 1
Winning Seasons- 15
#10- Scranton Wild (37)
World Series- 2
Pennants- 3
LCS- 4
Division- 4
Wild Card- 2
100 Win Seasons- 3
Winning Seasons- 9
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Trevor Billingsley
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Clarence Thomas
Recent history for the now Scranton Wild hasn't been kind. They have only made the playoffs twice in the last 18 seasons. It was the dominance in the early, chaotic days of Satchel Paige that have vaulted the Wild into the top ten. Season 1 resulted in a WS title as the Burlington Not Gnil Rub. Season 3 resulted in a WS title as the Columbus Fury and Season 7 resulted in an AL Pennant as the Trenton Trojans. It was the Season 2 acquisition of 3x Cy Younger Clarence Thomas that put this team on the map. He remains, by far, the best and most important player in its history. Unless the Wild start making some noise soon though, the won't remain in the top ten for much longer.
#9- Richmond Rebellion (43)
World Series- 1
Pennants- 1
LCS- 6
Division- 11
Wild Card- 1
100 Win Seasons- 4
Winning Seasons- 14
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Ted Westmoreland, Luis Delgado
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Brian Sasaki, Gary Scott
This franchise had early success in Satchel Paige. It made three consecutive trips to the NLCS as the Iowa City MonkeyButlers (in Seasons 1 and 2) and as the Little Rock Arkies in Season 3. The franchise then fell apart. A string of new owners and new cities brought no success. Nine straight seasons without a playoff appearance. Eight straight seasons in last place. Once the franchise moved to Richmond, and a stable owner took over, everything changed. Starting in Season 13, the Rebellion's 3rd season in Richmond, the team elevated to one of the elite teams in the NL. They became a perrenial playoff teams, making the postseaon in 10 out of the 13 seasons since that time. Three times they were in the NLCS. The pinnacle of that run was, of course, the WS victory in Season 19. The offense was paced by MVP Ted Westmoreland and budding young start, Luis Delgado. Richmond lifer Brian Sasaki was still the anchor of the rotation. But the key to that season was the offseason signing of Gary Scott. His leadership and clutch playoff pitching were the difference for that season.
#8- Chicago Gray Stockings (44)
World Series- 1
Pennants- 3
LCS- 4
Division- 3
Wild Card- 9
100 Win Seasons- 1
Winning Seasons- 14
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Butch Ramirez, Russ Charleston
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Julio Telemaco
The Gray Stockings, though one the National League's traditional powers, have 'Bride's Maid Syndrome.' Competing in the NL's toughest division, against they dynastic Pittsburgh franchise, has resulted in only 3 division titles. They have constantly been in Pittsburgh's shadow. The Sox have owned the Wild Card though, winning more Wild Card berths than any other NL franchise. The 'Golden Age' for the Sox was Seasons 9-18. For ten straight seasons, they made the playoffs. In Seasons 14 and 15, they were finally able to exercise their demons against Pittsburgh. In the Seasons before that, they had been owned by their hated rivals. But in those two seasons, not only did the Sox defeat Pittsburgh in the playoffs, they were able to win back-to-back NL Pennants. It was quite an accomplishment, despite running into the buzzsaw that was the Baltimore Revolution in both WS. Those teams were led by a three headed monster in the starting rotation. HoFer Julio Telemaco and All Stars Carter Maybin and Wayne Spence made sure the Sox were one of the top pitching teams in the NL every season. Future HoFer Butch Ramirez and former MVP Russ Charleston anchored the lineup. Ironically though, it wasn't the Sox's best team that was finally able to win the Fall Classic. In Season 21, after Telemaco's retirement, Maybin having signed a monster contract to play in St. Louis, Wayne Spence now but a shell of his prime, Charleston long gone, and Ramirez in the twilight of his career.. that the Sox surprised everyone with a stunning WS victory. The first step was the shocking upset of one of the NL's top two teams, the 114-win Richmond Rebellion in the NLDS. Then defeating the favored Philadelphia Stomp in a spectacular seven game series to cap the greatest season in Chicago baseball history.
#7- Philadelphia Stomp (52)
World Series- 1
Pennants- 3
LCS- 6
Division- 3
Wild Card- 10
100 Win Seasons- 3
Winning Seasons- 18
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Orber Martin
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Quilvio Lee
Like the Gray Stockings, the Stomp can also be said to have a case of 'Bride's Maid Syndrome.' Like the Sox, only 3 division titles, and 1 WS victory to go with 3 Pennants. The Stomp boast 10 Wild Card berths, most of any team in SP. This squad really took off once it settled into Philadelphia as the Stomp. Despite playing in the league's most brutal division, the Stomp are one of the power houses of the AL. The Stomp have made the playoffs 10 out of 15 seasons in Philadelphia. Six of those ten trips went at least as far as the LCS. The Stomp won 3 AL Pennants in alternating seasons starting with Season 19. They had their hearts broken that season by the Richmond Rebellion, and again in Season 21 when they were upset by the Chicago Gray Stockings. In Season 23 though, it finally happened when they defeated the Little Rock Mockingbirds. The Stomp really have become a model franchise. Starting with their Latin Pitching Academy which has stocked their rotation with solid starting pitcher after solid starting pitcher, with the crown jewel being Quilvio Lee, who will likely retire as one of the top 5 starting pitcher in SP history. The Stomp are still an excellent team and are primed to continue their run of playoff berths for many seasons to come.
#6- Milwaukee Boys of Summer (52)
World Series- 2
Pennants- 3
LCS- 5
Division- 11
Wild Card- 1
100 Win Seasons- 3
Winning Seasons- 14
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Toby Barry, Alberto Lima
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Lonny Sanchez, Ken Wall
Though Milwaukee is in a bit of a rebuild currently, this franchise is traditionally the second most storied franchise in the NL. They had a domminant 8 season stretch from Seasons 11-18. They made the playoffs every season, advanced to at least the LCS five times, won three NL Pennants and 2 WS. Before that time, the team was inconsistent, and since then the team has regressed to inconsistency once more. Led by young star Howie Becker, the new Boys of Summer have some young talent on display. With a couple of savvy moves, Milwaukee could rise back to the top of the NL very soon.
#5- Vancouver Tragedy Twins (58)
World Series- 1
Pennants- 4
LCS- 6
Division- 10
Wild Card- 4
100 Win Seasons- 8
Winning Seasons- 15
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Karim Oliva
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Harold Paquette
The history of the Vancouver franchise is really a history of two teams. In early SP, they were the Chicago Cubbies. The Cubbies made 5 consecutive playoff trips, including two NL pennants. Both times the Cubbies lost in the WS. After three seasons of uncertainty, the team found itself in Vancouver, under the moniker 'Tragedy Twins.' Initially the team was very rocky, missing 5 straight playoffs. Then came Season 15 and the good times for the Twins. Eight straight playoffs appearances, 4 NLCS's, 2 NL Pennants and World Series victory in Season 18. Unlike many of the top franchises in SP, the Twins seem to lack big star power. No HoFers, just solid, complete teams. The last few seasons the Twins have been very 'ho-hum.' Time will tell when the Twins rise back to the top of the NL.
#4- Little Rock Mockingbirds (59)
World Series- 1
Pennants- 5
LCS- 7
Division- 12
Wild Card- 2
100 Win Seasons- 2
Winning Seasons- 15
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Hugh Scott
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Cesar Diaz, Pedro Castillo
The reigning champs are also a tale of two teams, actually three. The Kansas City O-Qua Tangin Wann won the NL Pennant in Season 9, only to be defeated by the St. Louis Redbirds. The re-named Memphis Mad Hatters made one of the most surprising playoff runs in SP history in Season 10. They upset their way through the NL, defeating 3 teams with 100 wins or more, despite being the worst regular season team represented in the NL that season. They went on to get swept by the Baltimore Revolution. Since the re-branding of the team in Litte Rock, the Mockingbirds have had great success. The are in the midst of a mini-NL dynasty, winning the NL Pennant in three of the last four seasons. Last season, they finally got it done with a World Series win over the resurgent St. Louis Redbirds. With the team's core still intact, and one of the deepest starting rotations in the league, the Mockingbirds could be at the beginning of something special.
#3- St. Louis Redbirds (75)
World Series- 2
Pennants- 5
LCS- 9
Division- 16
Wild Card- 0
100 Win Seasons- 10
Winning Seasons- 17
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Hector Brown, Felix Wagner, Chin-Hiu Martin
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Julian Castillo, Damaso Solano, Phil Leonard, Shin-Soo Nakamura
The lone original owner has overseen 26 Redbird seasons and continued the winning way for all but 8 seasons. The Redbirds have won the division a record a record 16 times and brought home 2 World Series rings. Twelve straight division titles from seasons 4-15 highlighted an amazing decade of dominance. Ironically, their best season saw them not make it out of the divisional round with an amazing 127 wins in the regular season. St Louis has done it with a consistent hitting attack over the years, with extreme power. The pitching has been good enough and was at it's peak when Juilian Castillo and Damaso Solano were a 1-2 force to be reckoned with. This team has helped set the standard for winning and Coach Knappj isn't sure how much he has left in the tank being the "last man standing."
#2- Pittsburgh Marauders (78)
World Series- 5
Pennants- 5
LCS- 8
Division- 13
Wild Card- 1
100 Win Seasons- 12
Winning Seasons- 14
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Pedro Pascual, Rafael Cueto
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Benji Armas, Ramon Yamamoto, Jimmie Brownson, Kelvim Whang
The NL's most dominant franchise. Period. For eight straight seasons, Pittsburgh owned the league. Seasons 6 thru 13 all resulted in playoff appearances. In all but one of those seasons, they went to the NLCS. In five of those, they won the NL and the WS, including three consecutive. Its not hard to see why. The rotation boasted 4 HoF starting pitchers, including the best pitcher in league history, up to that point, in Jimmie Brownson. The offense was powered by the best hitter in SP history, Pedro Pascual. With this team, Pittsburgh had 12 consecutive 100+ win seasons. They have yet to lose in a WS. That time is long past now though, and Pittsburgh is currently mired in a long rebuild. Its likely it'll be another few seasons, at least, before we see the Steel City represented in the playoffs once more.
#1- Baltimore Revolution (87)
World Series- 5
Pennants- 8
LCS- 8
Division- 10
Wild Card- 4
100 Win Seasons- 9
Winning Seasons- 15
Best Position Player in Franchise History: Deivi Borges, Aurelio Diaz, Frank Edwards
Best Pitcher in Franchise History: Damasso Solano, Tony Espinosa
The first 5 seasons of the Revolution started off abysmally. Averaging winning percentage of just .380 (62 games per season) and being sold from one owner and town to the next until finally finding their home in Baltimore. It's in Baltimore where the franchise finally got to flourish, with an early emphasis on offense lead by up and comer Frank Edwards the Rev made it to their first World Series just 3 seasons (Season 8) after moving to Baltimore. While the offense was potent (2nd in average and homers and 3rd in RBIs) it fell just short for the season losing the World Series in 6 games. With a good base of young talent, and a low payroll, the Revolution went on to build a juggernaut- chewing up the competition season after season. They went on to play in 8 World Series in 11 seasons; while winning 5 (Seasons 10 - 20). During their reign the Rev accounted for 7 MVP's (Frank Edwards (2), Clay Beirne (1),Deivi Borges, (1) Bruce Donovan (2) and Aurelio Diaz
(1)), 75 All-Star appearances, 27 Silver Sluggers, 22 Gold Gloves and all anchored down with one of the best closers in the game - Eugene Scott. Scott had 10 All-Star appearances himself and holds a Satchel Paige record 7 Fireman of the Year awards. All of this done in the toughest division in all of Satch - the AL East. While the past few seasons have been spent trimming unnecessary salary, developing minor leagues and bringing in new young talent the Rev staff feels they're on the upswing and will soon find themselves back in their winning ways. Only time will tell what the next 25 years holds in store for the Rev.
