Ranking every World Series winners in history

By Staff | Nov 3, 2015

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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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 17, 1974: The Oakland Athletics celebrate after they won 3-2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 1974 World Series on October 17, 1974 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images) /

94. 1974 Oakland Athletics

90-72, AL West Champions, Won World Series 4-1 Over Los Angeles

It was a great team, and one of the greatest three-year stints in Major League Baseball history, but the 1974 Oakland Athletics were the weakest of the franchise’s three straight World Championship teams in the early 1970s, and underachieved in the regular season by seven games according to Pythagorean winning percentage.

With a 90-72 regular season record, the A’s won the AL West by five games over the Texas Rangers, beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 in the ALCS and won the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to one.

Led by Cy Young Award winner Catfish Hunter (25-12, 2.49), Vida Blue (17-15, 3.25) and Hall of Fame reliever Rollie Fingers (9-5, 2.65, 18 saves), the A’s posted the best team ERA in the American League (2.95) and also allowed the fewest hits (1,322), runs (551), earned runs (472), home runs (90) and walks (430).

Hall of Fame outfielder Reggie Jackson (.289/.391/.514, 29 HR, 93 RBI) was the star of the show offensively, though Sal Bando (22 HR, 103 RBI), Joe Rudi (22 HR, 99 RBI), Gene Tenace (26 HR, 73 RBI) and Bert Campaneris (.290/.334/.484) formed the nucleus of a potent lineup.

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