How Rare is Winning Three Division Titles
I was celebrating Milwaukee’s victory over the Cubs when I realized something: this is only the third time in Milwaukee’s history that they ever won their division. That astounded me. Milwaukee is not a young franchise. However, despite being in existence since the divisions formed, they’ve not enjoyed much success. This led me to wondering: how rare is it to win the division three times in a row? Clearly not every franchise has been so lucky.
So how lucky are the Indians exactly? Well, when we consider the divisional time period only 11 teams have won three division pennants in a row. Of these teams, most only accomplished the feat once. Here are the threepeat division champions:
Atlanta Braves (9 times): 1995-2005
The Braves, famously, accomplished this feat 9 times consecutively. Their dominance of the NL East is unprecedented in the divisional era. Surprisingly they accomplished this through many different versions of their ‘core’ players. Maddux left during this time, as did Tom Glavine. Typically teams experience more ‘flux’ over this long a period. Also surprisingly: they left this era with only one World Series title, and actually got worse as time wore on.
Baltimore Orioles (once): 1969-1971
The Orioles golden age, and the era of both Jim Palmer and Earl Weaver. They nearly made it six in a row but missed out in 1972. Interestingly enough, they also won the AL Pennant three times in a row, and took home a ring.
Boston Red Sox (once): 2016-2018
Our first current streak This version of the Red Sox is interesting, as it is represented by Mookie Betts and Chris Sale. They have yet to win a single playoff series.
Cleveland Indians (thrice): 1995-1999 & 2016-2018
One of the few teams to accomplish the feat in different occasions, the Tribe has actually been quite successful at winning the AL Central. Despite spending more time in the AL East, we have actually never won the division. Despite these eight berths, we have three pennants, but no rings, to show for our success. The current team may continue this streak, becoming the first team on this list with two different 3+ division streaks.
Detroit Tigers (twice): 2011-201
The Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander Tigers. These miserable beasts made the Tribe’s lives hell for almost half a decade. They did win a pennant in 2012, despite a relatively poor year compared to other division winners.
Los Angeles Dodgers (4 times): 2013-2018
Featuring the second coming of Sandy Koufax (minus the World Series dominance) this club is also bereft of World Series success. Along with the Indians and the Red Sox, there are three activists threepeat winners in 2018.
Los Angeles Angels (once): 2007-2009
Culminating in an 100 win season, this team just predates the Mike Trout era and is best known for losing to the Red Sox in the playoffs. The presence of the Angels here honestly caught me by surprise.
New York Yankees (six times): 1976-1978 & 1998-2006
They just missed out on a few more losing in 1997. Well, all of these squads featured legendary Yankee teams. The 1990s dynasty sticks out in my mind, as I actually remember them. The Yankees dominated at almost the same clip as the Braves, but frequently spoiled Atlanta’s hopes, beating them in the playoffs in 1996 and 1999. The Yankees actually appeared in four consecutive World Series during this streak.
Oakland Athletics (six times): 1971-1975, 1988-1990 & 2000-2003
The Athletics are the only team to have three distinct threepeat division championships. Honestly I keep forgetting how successful the Athletics have been since they moved from Kansas City. They’ve taken plenty of hardware home too: four World Series during these streaks.
Philadelphia Phillies (thrive): 2007-2011
The Phillies Golden Age. The age of Chase Utley, and then the age of Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. They won two pennants and only their second World Series during this streak, and have suffered since.
Toronto Blue Jays (once) 1991-1993
So there you have it. The Indians are lucky to be where they’re in. Let’s enjoy it.