The National Baseball Association's top 100 minor league teams
The 1921 Baltimore Orioles were recognized as the second greatest team of all time.
1920 St. Paul Saints , number 6
1903 Jersey City Skeeters , number 7
1920 Baltimore Orioles , number 9
1911 Denver Grizzlies , number 22
1902 Indianapolis Indians , number 27
1906 Portland Beavers , number 31
1921 Memphis Chicks , number 32
1907 Wichita Jobbers , number 41
1902 Corsicana Oil Citys , number 51
1916 New London Planters , number 57
1910 Joplin Miners , number 66
1980 Nashville Sounds , number 69
1909 San Francisco Seals , number 71
1902 Toronto Maple Leafs , number 76
In 2001, during the centennial celebration of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues , Minor League Baseball tasked baseball historians Bill Weiss and Marshall Wright to develop a list of the top 100 best minor league baseball teams of the century. Their list includes 69 distinct franchises from across the United States and in Canada and Mexico. There are representatives from every decade of the century.
Weiss and Wright developed a statistical formula to evaluate teams. First, a rating was given to each league. They assigned 100 points for Triple-A leagues down to 20 points for Class D leagues. The equivalent classifications of each league were used to adjust for changes in the minor league structure since 1900. Next, individual teams were graded based on winning percentage and total wins in order to assess each team's strength against its league and its season-long performance. The combination of these three metrics resulted in a statistical list of the century's top teams. Weiss and Wright further took into account intangibles such as winning a pennant, significant achievements, or reputation in creating their final list.[ 1]
Of the 69 franchises to make the list, 14 appeared more than once. The Baltimore Orioles took 6 places on the list, the most of any team, followed by the Ft. Worth Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs (5), Newark Bears and San Francisco Seals (4); Kansas City Blues , Los Angeles Angels , and St. Paul Saints (3); and Charlotte Hornets , Columbus Senators/Red Birds , Houston Buffaloes , Indianapolis Indians , Memphis Chicks , and Milwaukee Brewers (2). Thirty leagues are represented on the list. The league with the most entrants is the International League with 17. The other top leagues are the American Association (13); Pacific Coast League (10); Eastern League and Texas League (8); California League , Western Association , and Western League (4). Thirty-one teams competed at the Double-A classification level, the most of any class, followed by Class A (24); Class C (12); Class B (11); Triple-A (10); Class D (7); Class A1 and independent (2); and Class A-Advanced (1). Twenty-seven teams competed in the 1920s, the most of any decade, followed by the 1940s (16); 1930s (13); 1900s and 1950s (10); 1910s and 1980s (6); 1970s (5); 1990s (4); and 1960s (3).
The list
See also
References
^ "About the Top 100 Teams" . MiLB.com. 2001. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "1. 1934 Los Angeles Angels" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "2. 1921 Baltimore Orioles" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "3. 1937 Newark Bears" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "4. 1924 Fort Worth Panthers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "5. 1924 Baltimore Orioles" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "6. 1920 St. Paul Saints" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "7. 1903 Jersey City Skeeters" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "8. 1937 Salisbury Indians" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "9. 1920 Baltimore Orioles" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "10. 1925 San Francisco Seals" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "11. 1981 Albuquerque Dukes" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "12. 1939 Kansas City Blues" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "13. 1943 Los Angeles Angels" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "14. 1920 Fort Worth Panthers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "15. 1922 Baltimore Orioles" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "16. 1938 Newark Bears" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "17. 1922 Fort Worth Panthers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "18. 1923 Kansas City Blues" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "19. 1923 Baltimore Orioles" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "20. 1922 Enid Harvesters" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "21. 1920 Toronto Maple Leafs" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "22. 1911 Denver Grizzlies" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "23. 1992 Greenville Braves" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "24. 1927 Buffalo Bisons" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "25. 1954 Waco Pirates" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "26. 1931 Hartford Senators" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "27. 1902 Indianapolis Indians" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "28. 1929 Kansas City Blues" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "29. 1903 Los Angeles Angels" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "30. 1955 Keokuk Kernels" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "31. 1906 Portland Beavers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "32. 1921 Memphis Chicks" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "33. 1925 Ft. Worth Panthers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "34. 1952 Norfolk Tars" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "35. 1919 Baltimore Orioles" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "36. 1951 Charlotte Hornets" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "37. 1980 Denver Bears" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "38. 1970 Hawaii Islanders" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "39. 1926 Toronto Maple Leafs" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "40. 1952 Miami Sun Sox" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "41. 1907 Wichita Jobbers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "42. 1931 Houston Buffaloes" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "43. 1933 Columbus Red Birds" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "44. 1922 San Francisco Seals" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "45. 1918 Toronto Maple Leafs" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "46. 1921 Ft. Worth Panthers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "47. 1940 Nashville Vols" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "48. 1924 Memphis Chicks" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "49. 1924 Okmulgee Drillers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "50. 1928 San Francisco Seals" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "51. 1902 Corsicana Oil Citys" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "52. 1920 London Tecumsehs" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "53. 1932 Newark Bears" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "54. 1952 Milwaukee Brewers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "55. 1961 Reno Silver Sox" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "56. 1931 Charlotte Hornets" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "57. 1916 New London Planters" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "58. 1933 Davenport Blue Sox" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "59. 1905 Columbus Senators" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "60. 1975 Waterloo Royals" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "61. 1950 Winston-Salem Cards" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "62. 1983 Reading Phillies" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "63. 1906 Des Moines Champions" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "64. 1949 Stroudsburg Poconos" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "65. 1941 Houston Buffaloes" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "66. 1910 Joplin Miners" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "67. 1949 Pensacola Fliers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "68. 1939 Sanford Lookouts" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "69. 1980 Nashville Sounds" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "70. 1978 Visalia Oaks" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "71. 1909 San Francisco Seals" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "72. 1992 Columbus Clippers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "73. 1993 Harrisburg Senators" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "74. 1980 Peninsula Pilots" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "75. 1979 Saltillo Saraperos" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "76. 1902 Toronto Maple Leafs" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "77. 1921 Independence Producers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "78. 1966 Spartanburg Phillies" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "79. 1955 Fresno Cardinals" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "80. 1910 Sioux City Packers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "81. 1951 Hazard Bombers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "82. 1941 Wilson Tobs" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "83. 1932 Tulsa Oilers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "84. 1946 Montreal Royals" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "85. 1948 Indianapolis Indians" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "86. 1941 Newark Bears" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "87. 1960 Toronto Maple Leafs" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "88. 1922 St. Paul Saints" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "89. 1990 West Palm Beach Expos" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "90. 1946 Scranton Red Sox" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "91. 1923 St. Paul Saints" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "92. 1947 Havana Cubans" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "93. 1978 Appleton Foxes" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "94. 1946 Abilene Blue Sox" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "95. 1986 Puebla Angeles" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "96. 1950 Quebec Braves" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "97. 1947 Lubbock Hubbers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "98. 1947 Stockton Ports" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "99. 1944 Hartford Laurels" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
^ Weiss, Bill; Wright, Marshall (2001). "100. 1944 Milwaukee Brewers" . MiLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2023 .
External links