Congrats 2005

[Lip Man 1]

The first step in winning the World Series is getting to play in it.
The first step to getting to play in it is to win in the playoffs.
The first step to winning in the playoffs is getting to the playoffs.
The first step to getting to the playoffs is to have a winning season.

Congratulations to the 2005 White Sox for this first step on the road to October.

This is the 57th winning season in the 105 year history of the franchise.

So that started me wondering. How does this compare to the rest of MLB? Who has the best seasonal winning percentage? Who has the worst? Well having nothing better to do, I looked. The results surprised me somewhat. I didn't realize the Sox stacked up as well as they did compared to the rest of MLB. Naturally I knew the Yankees were on top, but I was surprised at who the runner-up was.

So here you go, from top to bottom. By the way the Sox team record for most consecutive winning seasons is 17, from 1951-1967. That's the 3rd longest streak in MLB.

Seasonal Win Percentage:

1.Yankees (81 years out of 104 seasons) 1901-2004, 77.8%

2.Giants (75 out of 104) 1901-2004, 72.1%

3.Diamondbacks (5 out of 7) 1998-2004, 71.4%

4.Cardinals (65 out of 104) 1901-2004, 62.5%

4. Dodgers (65 out of 104) 1901-2004, 62.5%

6. Red Sox (64 out of 104) 1901-2004, 61.5%

7. Pirates (61 out of 104) 1901-2004, 58.6%

7. Tigers (61 out of 104) 1901-2004, 58.6%

9. White Sox (57 out of 105) 1901-2005, 54.2%

10. Blue Jays (15 out of 28) 1977-2004, 53.5%

11. Indians (55 out of 104) 1901-2004, 52.8%

12. Royals (18 out of 36) 1969-2004, 50.0%

13. Reds (51 out of 104) 1901- 2004, 49.0%

14. Astros (21 out of 43) 1962-2004, 48.8%

15. Cubs (48 out of 104) 1901-2004, 46.1%

16. Athletics (47 out of 104) 1901-2004, 45.1%

16. Braves (47 out of 104) 1901-2004, 45.1%

18. Mets (19 out of 43) 1962-2004, 44.1%

19. Orioles (42 out of 104) 1901-2004, 40.3%

20. Nationals (14 out of 36) 1969-2004, 38.8%

21. Angels (16 out of 44) 1961-2004, 36.3%

21. Rangers (16 out of 44) 1961-2004, 36.3%

23. Twins (37 out of 104) 1901-2004, 35.5%

24. Phillies (34 out of 104) 1901-2004, 32.6%

25. Mariners (9 out of 28) 1977-2004, 32.1%

26. Brewers (10 out of 36) 1969-2004, 27.7%

26. Padres (10 out of 36) 1969-2004, 27.7%

28. Marlins (3 out of 12) 1993-2004, 25.0%

28. Rockies (4 out of 12) 1993-2004, 25.0%

30. Devil Rays (0 out of 7) 1998-2004, 0.0%

Lip

[SOX ADDICT '73]

How sick is it that the Marlins have three total winning seasons, and two World Series championships?

[Vernam]

That's a fascinating list. To think that we've been so consistent for so long is kind of uplifting. But to think we've been so consistent but never broken through for a championship is kind of, uh, depressing. There are a bunch of teams in the 30-to-40 percent range who've won titles, sometimes multiple ones. We're the only team in the top 13 that hasn't won it. The Sox, Houston and Flubs are the only ones in the top 19 that haven't won it. I'd like to leave their company right away . . .

VC

[TommyJohn]

Yeah, but they still fixed the world series. So there, nyah.

[doublem23]

Couple of notes here. First off, Lip, you can go ahead and bump the Cardinals into sole possession of 3rd place for the time being, as they have guaranteed themselves a winning season in 2005, too.

Also, the Sox and Cubs have won championships, just not in a long-ass time.

[SouthSideHitman]

Are .500 seasons like in 2002 counted as "winning"?

[veeter]

Great thread/post. This has been an inspiring year.

[santo=dorf]

Great stuff Lip, however the San Diego Padres are looking like they want to disagree with you on your first step.

If there are any KW bashers left on this board, it should be pointed out that the Sox still haven't had a losing season with him in charge.

[Lip Man 1]

South Side:

Technically a .500 season is a 'non losing' season, not a 'winning' one. There is a difference.

Santo:

If the Padres do make the post season with a 'losing' record, to the best of my knowledge it will be the first time in MLB history for a full season, that's happened. (Remember in 1994 at the time of the end of the season the Rangers were in first place in the A.L. West with a mark ten games below .500!)

Lip

[santo=dorf]

Santo:

If the Padres do make the post season with a 'losing' record, to the best of my knowledge it will be the first time in MLB history for a full season, that's happened. (Remember in 1994 at the time of the end of the season the Rangers were in first place in the A.L. West with a mark ten games below .500!)

Lip
I'm willing to bet that's the case too.

In 1981 the KC Royals had an overall record of 50-53, but because they had the best second half record, they made the playoffs.

What was the response like back then?

[PushnThaEscalade]

[QUOTE
In 1981 the KC Royals had an overall record of 50-53, but because they had the best second half record, they made the playoffs./QUOTE]

Can someone explain to me how the system was back in 1981? It's confusing as hell to me.

[HITMEN OF 77]

How sick is it that the Marlins have three total winning seasons, and two World Series championships?

The White Sox though won the AL in the 1st year in existance in 1901. How many teams have done that?

[SouthSide_HitMen]

The White Sox also finished 4 seasons at .500 meaning their season record is 57-44-4 or .564.

[SOX ADDICT '73]

The White Sox though won the AL in the 1st year in existance in 1901. How many teams have done that?
Boy, Sox fans were spoiled rotten in their first two decades!

[Lip Man 1]

Because of the long labor impasse the MLB owners decided in order to try to rekindle fan interest to splitting the season into two 'half' seasons. The teams in first place at the time of the strike I think were guaranteed playoff spots. The teams with the best record in the second half would join them into an 'expanded' version of the post season.

Many minor leagues have been doing this for years.

And yes it was bizarre, confusing as hell and unfair to teams like the Reds and Cardinals who had the best records overall by far but were screwed out of post season play.

Lip

[batmanZoSo]

How sick is it that the Marlins have three total winning seasons, and two World Series championships?

About, uh...

:chunks

[my5thbench]

cool list....seems odd to see the Braves, A's, Phillies & Twins so low

& without coming off sounding like a jerk, it surprising to see the Cub

up that high...as a kid in the late 50's & most of the 60's they seemed

like the losingest fanchise in all of sports

[RallyBowl]

This just in-





WE RULE!!!!

[flo-B-flo]

Very excellent list. I tried to tell the youngin' Sox fans out here that I HAVE watched lots of good seasons with the Sox in my lifetime only to be ridiculed as a pending alzheimer candidate.:smile:

[FloridaSox]

How sick is it that the Marlins have three total winning seasons, and two World Series championships? It is called luck--big time.