2001 Mariners 116-46 (other teams considered: 1995) 116 wins (all-time record) vs 79 Win 1995 Mariners. That’s a 37-win difference.
1998 Padres 98-64 (other teams considered: 1984) Did you know the 98 Padres won 98 games? That surprised me. A team with Ken Caminiti won 98 games. I don’t know why, but that’s funny to me. Somehow record-wise, this is one of the 16 best teams in this world cup. They also have one of the greatest closers of all time Trevor Hoffman, so teams better score early against these guys, and the 98 Padres features just past his prime, 38-year old Tony Gwyn is on this team. Also, Bruce Bochey was their manager? Did not know that, and now there’s an explanation to the 98-win Padres.
1973 Athletics: 94-68 (other teams considered: 1972, 1974, 1988, 1989, 1990) Sure 1988 featured prime Bash Brothers, added Rickey Henderson to win it all in 1989 and had the best record with an unhittable Dennis Eckersley in 1990, but I wanted to include at least one team from my Dad’s 73 set so why not the World Champions from that year. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a team that includes Reggie Jackson, Blue Moon Odom, Catfish Hunter & Rollie Fingers.
2008 Phillies 92-70 (other teams considered: 1980, 1983, 1993, 2009). Only the 1980 and the 2008 Phillies won the World Series out of this bunch, and the 2008 Phillies had a better record than the 1980 Phillies. So, it becomes a question of Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton vs. Chase Utley (fuck that guy), Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Pat Burrell, Carlos Ruiz and Geoff Jenkins. And I REALLY don’t want to play this World Cup with Chase Utley in it, but I’m going to. 2008 Phillies were better than 1980 Phillies and maybe when Utley is up to bat, I’ll roll a 1-12 and then roll a 20 for a 60-game injury.
** This is the most wide-opened field. The top two teams didn’t win the World Series while the bottom two did, and this is anyone’s game.
Most Anticipated Matchup: Rollie Fingers vs Ichiro
1998 Yankees 114-48 (other teams considered: 1977, 1978, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2009). To be honest I’m really only considering the 98 Yankees, Arguably the best Yankees team since the 1927 Yankees. 114 Wins is 3rd all time behind the 01 Mariners and 1906 Cubs and both those teams lost the World Series.
2004 Red Sox 98-64 (other teams considered:2007, 2013, 2018, 1975, 1986): THE TEAM THAT BROKE THE CURSE! Is this the best Red Sox team? No that’s the 2018 Red Sox. But do you know who’s more fun than Mookie Betts? Manny Ramirez. Do you know who’s more fun than J.D. Martinez? David Ortiz. Do you know who’s more fun than Chris Sale? Pedro Martinez. Also, if I have to roll to see if Curt Schilling gets injured, and I roll a 1-4, then he stays in the game and I can pretend the injury is his bloody sock.
1988 Dodgers 94-67 (other teams considered: 1974, 1981). The truth is I didn’t consider any other Dodger teams. 4 words: Fernando El Toro Valezuela, (also Kirk Gibson HRs on one leg)
2010 Giants (other teams considered: 2002, 2012, 2014). If I could combine 2012 Posey with 2010 Tim Lincecum with 2012 Matt Cain with 2010 Brian Wilson, with 2014 Joe Panik with 2014 Madison Bumgarner and either 2010 or 2012 Sergio Romo to create one Super Giants World Series team I would. Individually I don’t think any of the three have a shot. But Combined? That would be interesting.
**Is this the Group of Death? Holy S*** this is incredible, the two biggest rivalries in the sport, in the same group! This is my favorite group of the tournament.
Most Anticipated Matchup: Orel Hershiser vs David Ortiz
1995 Indians 100-44 (other teams considered: 2016, 1997): This is the toughest decision I’ve had to make. I was 4 in 1995 so I don’t have memories of this team. I do have memories of Jim Thome (wait he played 3B???) Manny Ramirez (wait he was on the Indians???), Kenny Lofton (wait why didn’t we consider him for the Hall of Fame after his 1992-1999 stats??), Eddie Murray (wait did he really put up a .323 BA at age 39???), Dennis Martinez & Orel Hershiser (Wait their best two pitchers are aged 41 and 36??) and they could potentially have a starting lineup of 7 guys hitting over .300. Originally, I chose the 2016 Indians, but I can’t deny how much fun the 1995 team would be.
1971 Pirates 97-65 (other teams considered: 1979) I really didn’t consider the 79 Pirates. The 71 Pirates include Roberto Clemente (along with Dock Ellis and Willie Stargell) and they’re also the first MLB Team to include an all-black starting lineup. Even in a fictional world that’s important.
1982 Brewers 95-67 (other teams considered 2018) Do I want to see MVP Christian Yelich go up against Dwight Gooden or Greg Maddux? Yes. But the 82 brewers made to the World Series and 2018 Brewer did not. Plus, the 82 Brewers had 4 hitters with over 100 RBIs, so I’m beyond excited to see them potentially go up against the 76 Reds, 98 Yankees or other historically great hitting teams down the road.
2006 Cardinals 83-78 (other teams considered: 1982, 2011). I’m not looking at the 5 Cardinal teams that lost in the World Series. 06 Cardinals have the worst record, but feature the most fun players: Albert Pujols (future Hall of Famer) in his prime, Scott Rolen (Potential Future Hall of Famer), Jim Edmonds, Yadier Molina (Potential Future Hall of Famer), pesky David Eckstein, and Juan Encarnacion (still one of the most fun names to say out loud).
**This is the only group with four teams from 4 different decades. This is also the group with the combined worst regular season winning percentage
Most Anticipated Matchup: Dock Ellis vs Albert Pujols
1986 Mets 108-54 (other teams considered: 1973, 2000, 2006). 1969 Mets just misses the cutoff, but the 86 Mets are one of the best teams of all time, with an unreal number of stars, 3 pitchers who finished in the top 10 of Cy Young voting, Keith Hernandez, Darryl Strawberry, Gary Carter, Lenny Dykstra. And they did it all while partying their ass off.
2002 Angels: 99-63 – (other teams considered: None) Only Angels team to win the World Series
1992 Blue Jays 96-66 (other teams considered 1993, 2015). I really REALLY want to include the 2015 Blue Jays – that year we got the greatest bat flip of all time, Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion combined for 120 homeruns (after the steroid era and before the balls got juiced!) and featured a starting rotation of personal favorites: RA Dickey, Marcus Stroman, David Price and Mark Buehrle (at least we get prime Buehrle with the 2005 White Sox and a good David Price with the 08 Rays). But the 2015 Blue Jays also have Roberto Osuna who assaults women. So, fuck him, the 1992 Blue Jays were 1 game better than 1993.
2007 Rockies 90-73 (other teams considered: None) – Only Rockies team to make it to the World Series and they did so after winning a wild card tiebreaker by one run in the 163rd game of the season, then they swept the Phillies and Diamondbacks to make it there. Incredible
**SO. MUCH. OFFENSE & So. Little. Pitching. Can you name the Ace on the 02 Angels, 92 Blue Jays or 07 Rockies? Here’s a hint – none of them were remotely close to being in the Hall of Fame. Also, technically by overall ranking, this would be considered the Group of Death.
Most Anticipated Matchup: Dwight Gooden vs. Joe Carter
1984 Tigers 104-58 (other teams considered: 2006, 2012). The only Tigers team to win the World Series in the last 50 years, but it’s really tempting to choose the 2012 Tigers with Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. I’m just not choosing an 88-win team over a 104-win team. Fun fact – the 1984 Tigers are just one of three teams to never give up first place. From their 9-0 start to their 104-58 final record they never trailed another team. Only other team to do that – 1927 Yankees & 1923 Giants.
2008 Rays 97-65 (other teams considered: None) – Only Rays team to make it to the World Series
1996 Braves 96-66: (other teams considered 1995) This is the only time I’m choosing a team that lost the World Series over winning it. With all due respect to Greg Maddux putting together one of the greatest seasons of all time in 1995, Chipper is a rookie in 1995 and he puts together a much better season in 1996 (so do John Smoltz and Tom Glavine).
2001 Diamondbacks 92-70 (other teams considered: None) Only D-Backs team to win the World Series.
**It’s weird to consider the Braves as an underdog here, with their rotation being (arguably) the best in the entire World Cup, but they are. Watch out Rays. D-backs are also a Sneaky good team (Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Luis Gonzalez and the best defensive infield in the World Cup).
Most Anticipated Matchup: Randy Johnson vs. Kirk Gibson
2017 Dodgers 104-58: Had the Astros not cheated the Dodgers probably would have won the World Series, we give them an extra shot to win it all in this World Cup.
1983 Orioles 98-64 (other teams considered: 1970): Sure the 1970 Orioles have a better record, the Robinson brothers and Jim Palmer in his prime, but Cal Ripken Jr and Eddie Murray are bigger names.
2011 Rangers 96-66 (other teams considered: 2010) This is another tough call. It’s deciding between: the 2011 Rangers who added Adrian Beltre (Hall of Famer) to their roster and got incredible seasons out of Michael Young and Ian Kinsler (they might have gotten poked with Josh Hamilton’s steroid needle, Young’s BA went from .284 to .335 and Kinsler hit a career worst 9 HR to career best 32 HR) OR…a 2010 Rangers team that is worse in every way BUT they have one of the most fun players of all time…Vladimir Guerrero. Damn, I’m sorry Vlad. I got to go with 2011 Rangers. Lowkey one of the best offenses in this World Cup (and one of the worst pitching Rotations). Also the 2011 Rangers have Endy Chavez and seeing his name pop up makes me happy.
1997 Marlins 92-70 (other teams considered: 2003). Rookie Miguel Cabrera, past his prime Ivan Rodriguez, Derek Lee, Mike Lowell, Dontrelle Willis vs. Gary Sheffield, Al Leiter, Kevin Brown, Livan Hernandez, Robb Nen, Bobby Bonilla, Moises…wait Bobby Bonilla will be in this World Cup? 1997 wins. Also, they had a much better pitching staff and 1 more win in 1997 compared to 2003.
**Not going to lie, this might be the most boring group.
Most Anticipated Matchup: Clayton Kershaw vs. Cal Ripken Jr
2016 Cubs 103-58 (other teams considered: None) THE TEAM THAT BROKE THE CURSE
2005 White Sox 99-63 (other teams considered: None): Only White Sox team to win the World Series
1991 Twins 95-57 (other teams considered: 1987, 2002, 2006). Choosing 1991 over 1987 is simply record, 1987 Twins only had 85 wins. Torrii Hunter is my favorite non-Met baseball player (so many spectacular plays) So I’ve always rooted for the Twins. I personally want to choose the 06 Twins with Hunter, Cuddy, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Johan Santana but I can’t (but… wait they did finish with 96 wins…so maybe…but I can’t they lost in the ALDS, couldn’t even get past the first round.)
2019 Nationals 93-69 (other teams considered: None): Only Nationals team to win the World Series
**2nd favorite group. We’ll get an end to the Cross-town Chicago debate. Which World Series team as better. The 1991 Twins are fun and the Nats are the youngest team in this World Cup.
Most Anticipated Matchup: Max Scherzer vs. Kirby Puckett
1976 Reds 102-60 (other teams considered: 1975, 1990): so yes, the 1975 Reds had a better record than 1976. But 1976 scored more runs than 1975, and that’s what The Big Red Hitting Machine is known for. Johnny Bench & Tony Perez were better in 75, but George Foster Cesar Geronimo and Ken Griffey were better in 76. It’s a toss-up but I’m choosing 76.
2017 Astros 101-61* – Look I get it, they cheated, to win (hence the asterisk), but the only other team on here would be the 05 Astros, and it doesn’t include prime Jeff Bagwell, so that’s no fun. It does include steroid users Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. Look if you’re going to cheat, you at least better win.
2015 Royals 95-67 (other teams considered: 1985, 1980) 2015 Royals had a better record than 1985, and George Brett and Bret Saberhagen aren’t big enough names for me to care if they miss the World Cup.
2015 Mets 90-72: Such a magical season. David Wright comes back from injury and homers vs the Phillies, Juan Uribe hits a game winning HR in extras, The Cespedes Canary, Flores crying because he thinks he gets traded at the deadline, Harvey becomes The Dark Knight, Thor & DeGrom’s Hair. Big Sexy Bartolo Colon, Murphy’s unbelievable Post Season Hot-Streak. Someone create a 30 for 30 about this season please.
**There are four potential World Series Matchups and we get one of them in the group stage. The 2015 World Series will be re-played, (the other three is 1998 Yankees/Padres, 2008 Phillies/Rays and 2017 Astros/Dodgers). Also the #8 (Reds) and #9 (Astros) Overall ranked teams end up in the same group which will be fun to play out.
Most Anticipated Matchup: Justin Verlander vs. Pete Rose (two cheaters going at it!)
Jeff Haber
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The Strat-O-Matic Baseball World Cup 