Every team starts the MLB season with a chance to win because the game of baseball is highly unpredictable, and any team can get hot at the right time. Unlike other sports such as basketball or football, where a team with superior talent and athleticism can dominate their opponents, baseball requires a combination of skill, strategy, and luck to succeed.
In baseball, even the best teams will lose around 40% of their games over the course of a season, and a team that starts off poorly can still turn things around and make a run at the playoffs. Additionally, baseball has a long regular season of 162 games, which gives teams plenty of time to improve and make adjustments.
Furthermore, baseball has a playoff system that allows multiple teams to have a chance to win the championship. In the current MLB format, 10 out of the 30 teams make the playoffs, with the wild card games allowing two additional teams to compete for a chance at the World Series. This means that even teams with mediocre regular season records can still make a deep playoff run and win the championship if they get hot at the right time.
Overall, while some teams may have more talent or resources than others, any team can win in baseball due to the game’s unpredictable nature, long regular season, and playoff system. With a new MLB season almost upon us here are the Top 10 Greatest MLB Turnaround Seasons Ever.
1. 1991 Atlanta Braves: In 1990, the Braves finished with a dismal record of 65-97, but the following year they won the National League pennant. Key players included starting pitchers Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Steve Avery, as well as outfielder David Justice and third baseman Terry Pendleton.
2. 1969 New York Mets: The Mets had never finished above .500 in their history, but in 1969 they shocked the baseball world by winning 100 games and the World Series. Pitchers Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Nolan Ryan led the way, while outfielder Cleon Jones and third baseman Ed Charles contributed on offense.
3. 1990 Cincinnati Reds: The Reds went from last place in the National League West in 1989 to winning the division in 1990. Key players included outfielder Eric Davis, first baseman Hal Morris, and pitcher Tom Browning.
4. 2013 Boston Red Sox: After a last-place finish in 2012, the Red Sox won the World Series in 2013 behind a strong team effort. Key players included designated hitter David Ortiz, outfielder Shane Victorino, and pitchers Jon Lester and Koji Uehara.
5. 1951 New York Giants: The Giants trailed the Brooklyn Dodgers by 13.5 games in mid-August, but they rallied to tie the Dodgers and win a playoff for the National League pennant. Key players included outfielder Bobby Thomson, third baseman Eddie Stanky, and pitcher Sal Maglie.
6. 2008 Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays had never finished above .500 in their history, but in 2008 they won the American League pennant. Key players included outfielder B.J. Upton, third baseman Evan Longoria, and pitchers James Shields and Scott Kazmir.
7. 1987 Minnesota Twins: The Twins finished in last place in the American League West in 1986, but in 1987 they won the World Series. Key players included outfielder Kirby Puckett, third baseman Gary Gaetti, and pitchers Frank Viola and Jeff Reardon.
8. 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates won the World Series in 1979 after finishing in third place in the National League East in 1978. Key players included outfielders Dave Parker and Willie Stargell, third baseman Bill Madlock, and pitcher John Candelaria.
9. 1933 New York Giants: The Giants finished in fifth place in the National League in 1932, but in 1933 they won the pennant and the World Series. Key players included outfielder Mel Ott, first baseman Bill Terry, and pitchers Carl Hubbell and Hal Schumacher.
10. 1994 Montreal Expos: The Expos were on pace to win 105 games in 1994 and had a chance to win their first World Series, but the season was cut short due to a player strike. Key players included outfielder Moises Alou, first baseman Cliff Floyd, and pitchers Pedro Martinez and Ken Hill.