Fansided

Ranking every World Series winners in history

By Staff

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 05: Brooklyn Dodgers president Walter O'Malley and his manager, Walter Alston, exchange hugs and grins after bringing Brooklyn its first World Series championship in history. Flock did it the hard way, winning the final game in Yankee Stadium. (Photo by NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 05: Brooklyn Dodgers president Walter O'Malley and his manager, Walter Alston, exchange hugs and grins after bringing Brooklyn its first World Series championship in history. Flock did it the hard way, winning the final game in Yankee Stadium. (Photo by NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Tony Graffanino of the Atlanta Braves (R) is picked off first base as New York Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez makes the tag in third inning of interleague game 30 June at Yankee Stadium in New York. The game is a rematch of the 1996 World Series. AFP PHOTO Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Tony Graffanino of the Atlanta Braves (R) is picked off first base as New York Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez makes the tag in third inning of interleague game 30 June at Yankee Stadium in New York. The game is a rematch of the 1996 World Series. AFP PHOTO Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) /

98. 1996 New York Yankees

92-70, AL East Champions, Won World Series 4-2 Over Atlanta

One of the most beloved teams in the history of Major League Baseball’s most successful franchise, the 1996 New York Yankees were the first to win a World Series in 18 years – the longest drought for the club since winning its first title in 1923. However, the ’96 Yankees do not stack up well when compared to the best teams in history.

New York scored 871 runs during the 1996 regular season, which ranked ninth in the American League. The Yankees only hit 162 home runs – fewer than all but two other AL squads – and posted a team ERA of 4.65. Simply put, the Yankees weren’t a dominant team, but they were efficient.

New York ranked second in the AL in batting average (.288) and third in on-base percentage (.360), and utilized a veteran roster that included players like Wade Boggs .311/.389/.389), Bernie Williams (.305/.391/.411, 29 HR, 102 RBI), Tino Martinez (.292/.364/.466, 25 HR, 117 RBI), Paul O’Neill (.302/.411/.474, 19 HR, 91 RBI) and a 22-year old rookie shortstop named Derek Jeter (.314/.370/.430).

Cy Young runner-up Andy Pettitte earned 21 of New York’s 92 victories, which helped the Yankees beat Baltimore by four games in the AL East. After beating the Rangers and Orioles in the AL playoffs, the Yankees beat the defending champion Atlanta Braves 4-1 in the World Series.

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