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Where the Houston Astros rank among MLB’s all-time dynasties

By Bill Felber

Nov 5, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (53) and starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) celebrates in the locker room after the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in game six winning the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (53) and starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) celebrates in the locker room after the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in game six winning the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Members of the Oakland Athletics 1972 World Series team, Bert Campaneris, Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi, and Dick Green, and Dave Duncan, during a 2012 reunion  (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
Members of the Oakland Athletics 1972 World Series team, Bert Campaneris, Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi, and Dick Green, and Dave Duncan, during a 2012 reunion  (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

20. Oakland A’s 1970-75

Charlie Finley’s Athletics won three consecutive World Series titles between 1972 and 1974, a feat that in the intervening half-century has only been matched by the 1998-2000 Yankees. Oakland dominated the AL West during that period, winning the division annually from 1971 through 1975 and posting a cumulative 565-399 (.586) record.

19. St. Louis Cardinals, 1926-31

This era of Cardinal dominance overlaps the 1930-35 era, but it also encompasses a period of great change in the franchise. Rogers Hornsby was the star of the 1926 World Series winners, but that same winter he was replaced by Frank Frisch, who eventually also succeeded Hornsby as manager. Dean and Pepper Martin also rose to stardom during this era, succeeding Chick Hafey and Flint Rehm. Between 1926 and 1931, the Cards ran up  a 547-378 record, a .592 percentage.

18. New York Yankees, 1975-80

This was the period of the Yankee Renaissance under George Steinbrenner. Championship-less for a decade, the Yanks won the AL pennant in 1976, then beat the Dodgers in 1977 and 1978 for their two championships. They claimed the AL East a fourth time in 1980, but lost the ALCS to the Kansas City Royals. For the six-season window, the Yankees were 572-394, a .592 percentage.

17. New York Giants, 1919-24

These were the legendary teams of manager John McGraw. Between 1921 and 1921, McGraw’s Giants became the first team ever to win four consecutive pennants, included among them World Series wins over the Yankees in 1921 and 1922. The Giants piled up a 548-363 record over those six seasons, a .602 winning percentage.

16. New York Yankees, 1923-28

It was Babe Ruth who stole the spotlight from McGraw, arriving in New York in 1920 and lifting the Yankees to pennants for the next three seasons. In 1923, Ruth’s Yankees beat McGraw’s Giants in the World Series, repeating against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1927 and a third time against the Cardinals in 1928. Both were sweeps. Between 1923 and 1928, the original Murderer’s Row won 558 games against just 406 losses, a .603 winning percentage.

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