I was surprised to see so few teams from the more modern era represented. Hell, Only one of those teams was post Nixon/Ford and it was the no brainer Yankee team of 1998.
How many historically great teams have we had though during this era? Aside from the Yankee teams, who else? 2004 Red Sox? Good story, but I wouldnt put them on a list like this.
'84 Tigers won a lot of games but have no HOF players and isolated success. Back to back Blue Jays were nice teams, but this isnt a list of nice teams.
Your best arguments would probably be '89 Oakland, '83 Orioles, '79 Pirates, or the '77-'78 Yankees.
I'm not sure the Yankees either year would be among the top ten
Yankees teams.
The Pirate team was a lot like the Red Sox. Constant bridesmaids who were a fun story. Outside Stargell, Parker, Madlock, Blyleven, Candelaria, and Tekulve, there wasnt much there. 98 wins. Not enough there for my taste. Two HOF's, and Parker is a borderline guy.
'83 Orioles won 98, had the great pitching with McGregor, Boddicker, Storm Davis, Mike Flannigan, Dennis Martinez, and Jim Palmer (who was hurt and getting old). Tippy Martinez had a great year out of the pen as the relief ace. Of course, Ripken & Murray were the offense. So three HOF players, although one was not in his prime or a major contributer.
The best argument is for the A's. 99 wins, made it to two other WS, and swept for the win when they won it. McGuire, Canseco, Rickey Henderson, and a veteran Dave Parker at DH. That's only one HOF'er, but McGuire probably should be and Parker is borderline. Canseco will never be, but there is no question he was as dynamic a player as you will ever see for a few years stretch. Possibly the best player in baseball during this particular era, although he was injured a lot in '89.
They had the great pitching staff, with Dave Stewert, Mike Moore, Storm Davis, and Bob Welch. And of course, HOF Eck in the pen in the midst of his historic run of greatness. The whole bullpen was really good. This was a 3-run HR, then hold the other team to two runs team.
At the end of the day, i'm not putting any of them on the list.
