What Makes a Dynasty?
Your 2023 NFL Super Bowl Champions are the Kansas City Chiefs... AGAIN. Yes again. This may seem like dejavu to some of you because, its happened a few times in recent history. Make that 3 Super Bowl championships in the last 5 years to be exact, including back to back titles in 2022 and 2023. This in my opinion makes the Chiefs deserving of the HIGHLY coveted term of a... Dynasty. A sports dynasty is commonly defined as a team or individual athlete that dominates their sport over an extended period, often achieving a sustained level of success. This success is typically characterized by winning championships or titles, consistent playoff or championship appearances, and a lasting impact on the sport’s history. But how does this translate to Major League Baseball? Is it even possible to have a Dynasty along the same caliber of the Kansas City Chiefs? Let’s break this down and see.
I have created a measuring system to determine the rankings of teams that have had a stretch of good fortune in recent history from the year 2000 to the most recent season, 2023. We will call this the “Brown Dynasty Metric” or “BDM” score for short. This metric takes into consideration World Series Titles, League Pennants, Division Titles and Wild Card births, and assigns them an overall score to determine how much of a Dynasty they were during that time period, World Series weighing the heaviest upon your score. Creating this was very eye opening and humbling as an Atlanta Braves fan, I must say. We will break down the top 3.
#1 Houston Astros (2017-2022) BDM Score: 10.33
It pains this sports enthusiast to my core to say this but this stretch by the Astros is the closest to the Kansas City Chiefs BDM score of 13.60. The Stros’ throughout this 6 year stretch have captured 5 Division Titles, 4 AL Pennants, and have had the distinguished pleasure to call them the League’s Best twice. Such dominance in a short sample size is exactly what being a Dynasty is all about. They took the heckling and the jeers from most fans across the entire league and used that as motivation to prove that they don’t need to cheat to take down the best. Houston has built a culture of winning and has the experience in October to know what to do and when to do it. This has been one of the best stretches of Baseball that I have seen since the Atlanta Braves of the 90s.
#2 L.A. Dodgers (2016-2021) BDM Score: 8.00
Although the Dodger continue to have success currently and are poised to be one of the League's best, with their off season signings of Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and James Paxton we will be focusing on years 2016 through 2021. The Dodgers were able to capture 1 World Series title amidst the Covid season. I promise fans, no jokes will be made in this article about a Mickey Mouse ring. They played extremely well by battling back from being down 3-1 in the NL Championship to the dominant Atlanta Braves and earned it. This 6 year stretch saw the Dodgers capture 3 NL Pennants, 5 Division titles, and a Wild Card birth to go along with that World Series Title. I do believe this team is better than how they have shown in October but this new age of baseball is changing. Having the best regular season team doesn’t always yield a Ring in October like it used to.
#3 Philadelphia Phillies (2007-2011) BDM Score: 7.93
The Phillies during this span were a very scary team to have to face, headlined by All Stars, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins. Their best regular season record was in 2011 with a record of 102-60 but was highlighted by their World Series title in 2008. Throughout this stretch the Phillies accumulated 1 World Series Title, 2 NL Pennants, and 5 Division titles in 5 years. Running your Division each year is one thing but when you can run the entire league and make it to the Fall Classic, twice within 5 years, it turns heads. The 2024 Phillies look to dip into the history books and grab a hold of this success again but their biggest hurdle is the current 6 straight NL East Champs, the Atlanta Braves.
Honorably Mentioned:
#4: Giants (2010-2016) BDM Score: 7.71
#5: Red Sox (2013-2018) BDM Score: 7.33
#6: Braves (2018-2023) BDM Score: 6.33
#7: Cardinals (2006-2013) BDM Score: 6.25
In conclusion, the journey through the Brown Dynasty Metric has shed light on the remarkable success of various MLB teams in recent years. From the Astros' resilience to the Dodgers' playoff prowess and the Phillies' dominating run, each team has left its mark on baseball history.
As we navigate the rich tapestry of baseball dynasties, I invite you, the reader, to join the conversation. Do you agree with the rankings, or do you have a different perspective on what defines a dynasty in Major League Baseball? Share your thoughts, memories, and opinions. Whether you're a die-hard fan of one of the mentioned teams or you support a franchise that didn't make the list, your insights contribute to the vibrant tapestry of baseball discourse.
Dynasties are not only defined by numbers but by the passion they ignite in fans. So, let's keep the discussion alive. Who do you believe deserves a spot among the baseball dynasties, and what moments define their greatness? Your voice adds depth to the narrative, making the conversation as dynamic as the game itself. Share your love for the sport and the teams that make baseball a timeless journey.
By Thomas Brown @755ChopTalk - @ChopHouseChatter