Baseball’s Most Winningest Teams in Single Season
Baseball has been around since the mid-1800s, and since then, teams have come and gone and records have been broken. But which teams have won the most games in a single season? In this article, we’ll explore the teams that have won the most games in baseball history, and how they achieved their success.
1. The 1906 Chicago Cubs
The 1906 Chicago Cubs are considered by many to be the greatest team in the history of the game. Led by future Hall of Famers Mordecai Brown and Joe Tinker, the Cubs set a record that still stands to this day: they won 116 games in a single season. They also had a remarkable .763 winning percentage, which is the highest of any team in the modern era.
The Cubs were dominant on both offense and defense. Brown and Tinker both finished in the top five for batting average and led the team in RBIs and home runs. On the mound, the Cubs had a formidable rotation of Brown, Carl Lundgren, and Ed Reulbach, who combined to win 87 games and pitch over 1,400 innings.
The Cubs went on to win the 1906 World Series in six games against the crosstown rival White Sox. The Cubs’ victory in the World Series cemented their place as one of the greatest teams in baseball history.
2. The 1998 New York Yankees
The 1998 New York Yankees were one of the most dominant teams ever seen in baseball. Led by the Core Four of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Jorge Posada, the Yankees won 114 games, the second-most in a single season. The team was also led by future Hall of Famers Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill, and Tino Martinez, who combined to hit over 200 home runs.
The Yankees also had a tremendous starting rotation, led by Pettitte and David Wells, who combined to win 43 games. The bullpen was anchored by Rivera, who recorded 45 saves, and Jeff Nelson, who had an incredible 1.20 ERA.
The Yankees went on to win the 1998 World Series in a dramatic four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres. The Yankees’ victory in the World Series cemented their place as one of the greatest teams in baseball history.
3. The 2001 Seattle Mariners
The 2001 Seattle Mariners are one of the most underrated teams in baseball history. Led by future Hall of Famers Ichiro Suzuki, Edgar Martinez, and Randy Johnson, the Mariners won an incredible 116 games, tying the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the most wins in a single season. The team also had a remarkable .716 winning percentage, which is the third-highest of any team in the modern era.
The Mariners were an offensive juggernaut, leading the league in batting average, runs scored, and home runs. On the mound, Johnson and Jamie Moyer combined to win 41 games, and the bullpen was anchored by Jeff Nelson and Arthur Rhodes, who combined to record 40 saves.
The Mariners went on to make it to the American League Championship Series before falling to the New York Yankees in five games. Despite their loss in the ALCS, the Mariners remain one of the most successful teams in baseball history.
4. The 1954 Cleveland Indians
The 1954 Cleveland Indians are one of the most forgotten teams in baseball history. Led by future Hall of Famers Bob Lemon and Larry Doby, the Indians won an incredible 111 games, the third-most in a single season. The team also had a remarkable .730 winning percentage, which is the fourth-highest of any team in the modern era.
The Indians were led by an outstanding group of hitters, including Doby, Al Rosen, and Bob Avila. On the mound, Lemon and Early Wynn combined to win 43 games, and the bullpen was anchored by Ray Narleski and Don Mossi, who combined to record 37 saves.
The Indians went on to make it to the World Series before falling to the New York Giants in four games. Despite their loss in the World Series, the Indians remain one of the most successful teams in baseball history.
5. The 1975 Cincinnati Reds
The 1975 Cincinnati Reds are one of the most overlooked teams in baseball history. Led by future Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Tony Perez, the Reds won an incredible 108 games, the fourth-most in a single season. The team also had a remarkable .714 winning percentage, which is the fifth-highest of any team in the modern era.
The Reds were led by an outstanding group of hitters, including Bench, Morgan, and Pete Rose. On the mound, Don Gullett and Fred Norman combined to win 34 games, and the bullpen was anchored by Clay Carroll and Will McEnaney, who combined to record 29 saves.
The Reds went on to win the 1975 World Series in seven games against the Boston Red Sox. The Reds’ victory in the World Series cemented their place as one of the greatest teams in baseball history.
6. The 1969 Baltimore Orioles
The 1969 Baltimore Orioles are one of the most overlooked teams in baseball history. Led by future Hall of Famers Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Jim Palmer, the Orioles won an incredible 109 games, the fifth-most in a single season. The team also had a remarkable .661 winning percentage, which is the sixth-highest of any team in the modern era.
The Orioles were led by an outstanding group of hitters, including Robinson, Boog Powell, and Don Buford. On the mound, Palmer and Dave McNally combined to win 46 games, and the bullpen was anchored by Eddie Watt and Dick Hall, who combined to record 30 saves.
The Orioles went on to win the 1969 World Series in five games against the New York Mets. The Orioles’ victory in the World Series cemented their place as one of the greatest teams in baseball history.
7. The 1904 New York Giants
The 1904 New York Giants are one of the most forgotten teams in baseball history. Led by future Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, and Roger Bresnahan, the Giants won an incredible 106 games, the sixth-most in a single season. The team also had a remarkable .711 winning percentage, which is the seventh-highest of any team in the modern era.
The Giants were led by an outstanding group of hitters, including Bresnahan, George Davis, and Mike Donlin. On the mound, Mathewson and McGinnity combined to win 47 games, and the bullpen was anchored by Iron Man Joe McGinnity, who pitched over 500 innings.
The Giants went on to win the 1904 World Series in five games against the Boston Americans. The Giants’ victory in the World Series cemented their place as one of the greatest teams in baseball history.
8. The 1986 New York Mets
The 1986 New York Mets are one of the most memorable teams in baseball history. Led by future Hall of Famers Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, and Gary Carter, the Mets won an incredible 108 games, the seventh-most in a single season. The team also had a remarkable .645 winning percentage, which is the eighth-highest of any team in the modern era.
The Mets were led by an outstanding group of hitters, including Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, and Kevin Mitchell. On the mound, Gooden and Ron Darling combined to win 43 games, and the bullpen was anchored by Jesse Orosco, who recorded 31 saves.
The Mets went on to win the 1986 World Series in seven games against the Boston Red Sox. The Mets’ victory in the World Series cemented their place as one of the greatest teams in baseball history.
9. The 1946 St. Louis Cardinals
The 1946 St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most overlooked teams in baseball history. Led by future Hall of Famers Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, and Enos Slaughter, the Cardinals won an incredible 105 games, the eighth-most in a single season. The team also had a remarkable .676 winning percentage, which is the ninth-highest of any team in the modern era.
The Cardinals were led by an outstanding group of hitters, including Musial, Slaughter, and Marty Marion. On the mound, Murry Dickson and Harry Brecheen combined to win 33 games, and the bullpen was anchored by Brecheen, who recorded 17 saves.
The Cardinals went on to win the 1946 World Series in seven games against the Boston Red Sox. The Cardinals’ victory in the World Series cemented their place as one of the greatest teams in baseball history.
10. The 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers
The 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the most impressive teams in recent memory. Led by future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers won an incredible 104 games, the ninth-most in a single season. The team also had a remarkable .611 winning percentage, which is the tenth-highest of any team in the modern era.
The Dodgers were led by an outstanding group of hitters, including Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, and Corey Seager. On the mound, Kershaw and Alex Wood combined to win 34 games, and the bullpen was anchored by Kenley Jansen, who recorded 41 saves.
The Dodgers went on to make it to the World Series before falling to the Houston Astros in seven games. Despite their loss in the World Series, the Dodgers remain one of the most successful teams in baseball history.
Conclusion
The 1906 Chicago Cubs hold the record for the most wins in a single season, with 116. They are followed by the 1998 New York Yankees (114 wins), the 2001 Seattle Mariners (116 wins), the 1954 Cleveland Indians (111 wins), and the 1975 Cincinnati Reds (108 wins).
These teams all achieved remarkable success, and each one has a place in baseball history. Whether they won the World Series or not, their accomplishments will not be forgotten.