What is the Best Baseball Team in the World?
Baseball has been a popular sport for decades and is often referred to as “America’s Pastime”. As such, it is no surprise that the competition for the title of “best baseball team in the world” is fierce. With leagues all over the world, it can be difficult to determine which team truly holds the bragging rights.
In this article, we will explore the various criteria used to determine the best baseball team in the world, as well as look at some of the contenders for the title.
Criteria for Best Baseball Team
Deciding which team is the best in the world requires looking at a number of different criteria. The following are some of the most important:
- Winning Record: The team’s record over the past few years is an important factor in determining its overall success. A team with a long history of winning is likely to be considered one of the best in the world.
- World Championships: Winning a world championship is a surefire way to be considered one of the best in the world. Teams that have won multiple championships obviously rank higher than those who have never won one.
- Player Talent: The talent level of the players on a team can be a major factor in determining its overall success. Teams with the best players in the world are more likely to be considered the best in the world.
- Fan Support: The fans of a team can be a major factor in determining its success. Teams with passionate and loyal fans tend to do better than those without.
World Series Champions
The World Series is the most prestigious baseball tournament in the world and is held annually between the teams from the American League and National League. Winning the World Series obviously makes a team one of the best in the world.
The following teams have won the World Series in the last decade:
- Boston Red Sox (2018)
- Houston Astros (2017)
- Chicago Cubs (2016)
- Kansas City Royals (2015)
- San Francisco Giants (2014)
- Boston Red Sox (2013)
- San Francisco Giants (2012)
- St. Louis Cardinals (2011)
- San Francisco Giants (2010)
- New York Yankees (2009)
MLB World Series Champions
The Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and is considered by many to be the best baseball league in the world. As such, winning the MLB World Series is a huge accomplishment and makes a team one of the best in the world.
The following teams have won the MLB World Series in the last decade:
- Boston Red Sox (2018)
- Houston Astros (2017)
- Chicago Cubs (2016)
- Kansas City Royals (2015)
- San Francisco Giants (2014, 2012, 2010)
- St. Louis Cardinals (2011)
- New York Yankees (2009)
International Baseball Champions
The international baseball scene is also highly competitive and there are a number of tournaments held each year to determine the best team in the world. The following teams have won an international championship in the last decade:
- Japan (2018 World Baseball Classic)
- Japan (2017 World Baseball Classic)
- Japan (2013 World Baseball Classic)
- Cuba (2011 World Cup)
- Japan (2009 World Baseball Classic)
- Japan (2008 Olympics)
Best Players in the World
The players on a team are an important factor in determining its overall success. Teams with the best players in the world are more likely to be considered the best in the world.
The following players are widely regarded as some of the best players in the world:
- Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)
- Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Manny Machado (San Diego Padres)
- Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies)
- Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals)
- Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Jose Altuve (Houston Astros)
- Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
- Mookie Betts (Boston Red Sox)
- Freddie Freeman (Atlanta Braves)
The Contenders
With all of these criteria in mind, it is time to look at some of the contenders for the title of “best baseball team in the world”. The following teams are all considered to be contenders for the title:
- Boston Red Sox
- Houston Astros
- Chicago Cubs
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- San Francisco Giants
- New York Yankees
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Washington Nationals
- Cleveland Indians
- Chicago White Sox
The Winner?
So, which team can be crowned the best baseball team in the world? Unfortunately, it is impossible to definitively answer this question as the criteria used to determine the best team is subjective.
That being said, the teams listed above all have a strong chance at the title. The Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants all have multiple world championships in the last decade and are likely the frontrunners for the title.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals have also had great success in recent years and could easily be considered contenders for the title.
Conclusion
Ultimately, determining the best baseball team in the world is a difficult task. With so many great teams and players in the world, it is near impossible to definitively answer the question.
That being said, the teams listed in this article all have a strong chance at being crowned the best in the world. The Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants all have impressive winning records, multiple world championships, and some of the best players in the world.
Only time will tell if one of these teams will be crowned the best in the world, but for now, the competition is wide open.