Top 5 MLB Teams that need to win a Pennant

Baseball’s opening day was on Monday, and it has been a while since we have done a good sports related top 5. I could have said Top 5 teams that need to win a World Series, but hell, for most of these teams, I’d be happy if they even reached the ALCS or NLCS.

1. Chicago Cubs (est. 1902) – The last NL Pennant won by this ‘cursed’ organization was in 1945. The last world series? Well, that was 101 years ago in 1908. However, this year, the Cubbies seem to be a team of choice to actually win something this year. They finally have a good pitching staff, and adequate offense with Milton Bradley, Alfonse Soriano, and Aramis Ramirez in the lineup. Will they break the curse? I don’t know, but many people are pulling for them.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates (est. 1891) – The Pirates will always be my #1 team, so in the words of my friends dad; “You must be used to being in last place for everything.” The Bucs have gone since 1979 without a NL Pennant or a World Series. They would have had a chance at the NLCS in 1994, but the strike got in the way. After the strike, the organization fell apart. All their best players and manager left, leaving them with a shell of a team. But things are in motion, having fired GM David Littlefield in ’07, building a new stadium which is one of the best in MLB, and trying to draft talent from odd sources…cricket players from India…hey, it’s worth a shot.

3. Milwaukee Brewers (est. 1970) – No World Series wins, only one trip there, in 1982 when they won their only Pennant while in the American League. In 1998, they swtiched to the National League, where they have been dormant up until last year. However, since the Yankees took away C.C. Sabitha, I’m not sure what will become of the Brewers this year. I just hope they go back to the old logos.

4. Seattle Mariners (est. 1977) – No World Series, No Pennants. They did make it to the ALCS in 2001 (with a AL record 116 wins), but lost to the Yankees. I feel the problem lies in the fans. Seattle may have the most fairweather fans of any major sports city…except maybe South Florida…..

5. Baltimore Orioles (est. 1954) – Their last Pennant was in 1983, and they also won the Series that year. Ever since Cal Ripken Jr. retired, I haven’t heard much from this franchise. Maybe they should bring him back…at least as a coach or manager…

HM – Kansas City Royals

-Steve R.

~ by thekillertouch on April 8, 2009.