Ranking every World Series winners in history
By Staff
61. 1914 Boston Braves
94-59, NL Champions, Won World Series 4-0 Over Philadelphia
A National League powerhouse in the late 19th Century, the Boston Braves largely struggled in the early 20th Century and appeared in only two World Series until the franchise moved to Milwaukee in 1952. The 1914 squad overcame overwhelming odds to get to the Fall Classic, and were the World Championship team of the club’s tenure in Boston.
The Braves got off to a dreadful start in 1914, posting a 4-18 record through May 20. Boston was still in last place nearly two months later, with a 35-43 record on July 18, but exploded in the second half of the season and finished a remarkable 10.5 games ahead of the New York Giants with a 94-59 regular season record.
Led by Bill James (26-7, 1.90), Dick Rudolph (26-10, 2.35), the Hall of Fame double-play combination of Johnny Evers (.279/.390/.338) and Rabbit Maranville (.246/.306/.326, 78 RBI, 28 SB) and Joe Connolly (.306/.393/.494, 9 HR, 65 RBI), the Braves won 70 of their final 89 games, then swept the defending World Champion Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series.
The unexpected World Series title earned the squad the nickname the “Miracle Braves,” and was the last pennant for the franchise until 1948.