A "What-if" Scenario: Divisional play occurs much earlier

[DJC]

Introduction

For those of you interested in the "what-ifs" of baseball history, presented here in several installments is an alternate history of the major leagues stemming from a point of divergence in 1892. When the American Association collapsed after the 1891 season, the National League absorbed four AA castoffs to become a 12-team circuit. In our timeline, 1892 bore witness to an experimental split-season setup in which the team with the best record in the first half of the season played the best team in the second half in a postseason series. Unfortunately, this arrangement permitted the winner of the first half to slack off for the rest of the season, making a farce of the second half pennant race. The split season concept did not go over well with fans and was dropped for the next season.

An Alternate History

In the alternate timeline (ATL) I provide here, the National League instead experimented with a different novel setup in 1892 than in our timeline (OTL). The unwieldy complement of twelve teams was split geographically into two more manageable 6-team divisions, an East Division containing Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington and a West Division containing Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. These teams were already grouped together for scheduling purposes, so the geographic split seemed to follow naturally from this. Unlike in previous seasons, the schedule was unbalanced so that competitors within a team's own division were played more often than those in the other division. Not only did this alignment reduce travel costs, but it also provided for more exciting pennant (or division championship) races, rather than forcing teams bear the stigma of languishing in, say, 9th or 12th place in the standings for most of the season.

Beginning in 1892, the best team in the East Division would play the best team in the West Division in the "National League Championship Series" at season's end. This format would prove successful during the rest of the 1890s, and was adopted by the upstart American League in 1901. Also in this year, the AL and NL would pit their league champions against one another in a "World Series." Divisional play would be a mainstay in Major League Baseball up to the present day.

How "Alternate" Is It?

Unlike many alternate histories, the one presented here stays very true to our timeline. More realistically, an alternate timeline diverging in 1892 would likely, via the butterfly effect, generate a vastly different history thenceforth than our own. Though the close similarities in the timelines may not be very realistic, I needed to work from the actual team vs. team records in order to calculate season standings in the alternate timeline. Thus, the parallels were unavoidable in order for the calculations to remain accurate. Franchise relocations and expansions occur as in OTL (at least up until 1998).

Despite the fundamental similarities in the two timelines, simulated season records can vary substantially from the actual records, due to the presence or absence of strong or weak teams in a particular division. The largest increase in winning percentage was that of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003, who in OTL finished 86-76 (0.531) but in the ATL finished 100-62 (0.617). The largest decrease in winning percentage was that of the Colorado Rockies in 2004, who in OTL finished 68-94 (0.420) but in the ATL finished 51-111 (0.315).

The Unbalanced Schedule

For each season, the total number of scheduled games per team is the same as in OTL, though the unbalanced schedule reapportions the games in favor of more intra-divisional play. The schedules used for each simulated season are as follows:

NL 1892, 1898-99: 12 teams, 154 games (20 games x 5 opponents in own division + 9 games x 6 opponents in other division)
NL 1893-97: 12 teams, 132 games (18 games x 5 opponents in own division + 7 games x 6 opponents in other division)
NL 1900-03, 1919; AL 1901-03, 1919: 8 teams, 140 games (28 games x 3 opponents in own division + 14 games x 4 opponents in other division)
NL 1904-18, 1920-61; AL 1904-18, 1920-60: 8 teams, 154 games (30 games x 3 opponents in own division + 16 games x 4 opponents in other division)
NL 1962-68; AL 1961-68: 10 teams, 162 games (23 games x 4 opponents in own division + 14 games x 5 opponents in other division)
NL 1969-92; AL 1969-76: 12 teams, 162 games (18 games x 5 opponents in own division + 12 games x 6 opponents in other division)
NL 1993-97; AL 1977-97: 14 teams, 162 games (13 games x 6 opponents in own division + 12 games x 7 opponents in other division)
NL 1998-present; AL 1998-present: 16 teams, 162 games (22 games x 3 opponents in own division + 8 games x 12 opponents in other 3 divisions)

Even if a team was in OTL unable to complete its full schedule (due to player strikes, rainouts, etc.), the full season has been simulated to show how the team would have finished had they played all their scheduled games. In many seasons, the altered schedule generates an entirely different postseason outcome, while in some others, the outcomes end up the same. Because the divisional setup and schedule for the AL from 1969-76 and 1979-93 are identical to those of OTL, the alternate season standings are almost the same as the true standings, differing only in that missed games have been filled in. However, ALCS results may differ, as they are based on average head-to-head winning percentage (this statistic will be explained further on) and not on the actual results. Though the basic NL schedule from 1969-93 was the same in OTL as in the ATL (18x5 + 12x6 for 1969-92 and 13x6 + 12x7 for 1993), the season standings differed more than the AL because the ATL places Atlanta and Cincinnati in the East and Chicago and St. Louis in the West.

Calculating Alternate Season Standings

The method by which I calculated the alternate season standings is derived almost directly from Don Mankowski on his website here. Although he simulated just 1941-45, it is his site and his technique which inspired me to simulate every season from 1892 to the present. The actual head-to-head winning percentage between any two teams in any one season is extrapolated onto the modified head-to-head schedule between the teams for that season. This is best described by Mr. Mankowski himself on his website (he is using the unbalanced 8-team, 154-game schedule):

If two teams split 22 games 11-11, we assume that they would be 15-15 against each other as divisional rivals, or 8-8 against each other if in opposite divisions. But, if a team went 18-4 (.818) against another, we'd project them to win 81.8% of 30 games and thus go 24.5-and-5.5. Since that looks silly, we'd round off and say 24-6 or 25-5. Similarly, we'd expect them to win 81.8% of 16 games, which works out to 13-3 more or less.

If the simulated head-to-head record amounted to exactly 24.5-5.5, rather than arbitrarily rounding to 24-6 or 25-5, I chose to always round the larger number up. If, for example, in 13 head-to-head games, the simulated record were 6.5-6.5, I rounded up the wins for the team which had a better actual head-to-head record that season. If this were also tied, I next consulted actual head-to-head runs scored that season, and then by the simulated average head-to-head winning percentage against all teams in the league (to be explained shortly). Tiebreaker playoff games were excluded from the actual season records and runs scored before I calculated the alternate season records. This is because these games were only added to the actual regular season because two teams completed their full schedule tied for a playoff spot, which would not necessarily have occurred in the alternate timeline.

Determining Postseason Winners and Breaking Ties

I used the following criteria to decide the winners of postseason series and tiebreaker playoff games, as well as playoff seed when two division winners had the same record and which way to round when simulated head-to-head records were tied but not whole numbers (e.g., 6.5-6.5). If the first criterion listed is not tied, there is no need to consider further criteria. If it is tied, I next looked at the second criterion, and if it is also tied, I went to the third, and so on.

1) Simulated head-to-head win-loss record
2) Actual head-to-head win-loss record
3) Actual head-to-head runs scored
4) Simulated average head-to-head winning percentage against league opponents
5) Actual average head-to-head winning percentage against league opponents
6) Simulated season winning percentage
7) Actual season winning percentage
8) Actual season runs scored-runs allowed ratio

In order to determine a World Series winner, I used a different strategy than for league division and championship series. Since there are no games played during the season between the two World Series teams (with the exception of interleague games, which are discussed later), head-to-head records and runs scored cannot be used as criteria to determine the winner. Instead, each team's overall performance against the other teams in its own league is used to predict a winner. Overall performance could be measured by a team's season winning percentage, but this may obscure the fact that the team happens to be in a particularly weak or strong division.

To better measure a team's overall season performance, the team's winning percentages versus every team in its league that year are averaged to produce the cleverly named "average head-to-head winning percentage." This statistic levels the playing field, so to speak, by effectively balancing an unbalanced schedule. For example, in an 8-team 154-game season, the weight of a 30-game record against a division rival is reduced and the weight of 16-game record against a non-division rival is increased so that they are weighted the same. The final result is a winning percentage similar to that of the team in OTL, if the team played a balanced schedule in OTL (in this example, 22 games versus each other team). Admittedly, even the average head-to-head winning percentage may obscure whether one league is on the whole stronger or weaker than the other, but, finding no viable way to accurately compare the leagues' strength, I deemed the average head-to-head winning percentage the most logical criterion to determine World Series winners for my alternate timeline.

Interleague Play (or lack thereof)

Interleague games are excluded from all extrapolations primarily because interleague play was never instituted in the alternate timeline. Since interleague play horribly complicated scheduling, I figured it was just as well that I didn't have to deal with it in calculating alternate records. Actual head-to-head interleague records are not considered when deciding alternate World Series winners, even if the two teams did play each other that season. With the exception of so-called "geographic rivals," a team plays only 3 games in a season against any particular interleague opponent. The results of so few head-to-head games make poor predictors for postseason series (or poorer than the typically more numerous intra-league head-to-head games, anyway).

Expansion and Realignment in the 1990s

The alternate timeline diverges most dramatically from our timeline in the 1990s. Instead of adopting a 3-division-per-league arrangement in 1994 in which the divisions did not all have an equal number of teams, the East-West format remained in place through 1997. (Presumably, the retention of the 2-division format and the lack of interleague play meant that Bud Selig failed to become acting commissioner in 1992 in the ATL. All the better for baseball, I say.)

In the alternate version of the 1998 season, four expansion teams (2 NL and 2 AL) were added to bring the total number of major league teams to 32. The two leagues were also realigned that season into four 4-team divisions each. In this manner, the awkward, ill-conceived arrangement of 16 NL and 14 AL teams in OTL was avoided. Since in reality the addition of 2 expansion teams in 1998 spurred talks of contraction only a few years later, it is more likely that the 4-team expansion would have occurred later than 1998 in the alternate timeline. However, I needed the actual data from Arizona and Tampa Bay for those years to properly determine simulated season standings, so a premature expansion was another unavoidable consequence of my strategy.

Thus, in the alternate 1998, the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays were added to the NL, and the expansion Portland Timbers and Washington Senators were added to the AL. The absence of Bud Selig as commissioner in the ATL allowed the Milwaukee Brewers to remain in the AL, their league of origin. Tampa Bay was instead placed in the same league as Arizona (as should have occurred in OTL in lieu of shifting Milwaukee to the NL). The presence of an expansion team in Washington prevented Montreal from relocating there in 2005, so the Expos stay put in my ATL. I use the actual stats of the Nationals from 2005 on to simulate how Montreal would have fared.

This departure from OTL complicated the calculations for the alternate standings from 1998 on. It's difficult to explain exactly how I derived the simulated records for Tampa Bay and Milwaukee, but essentially I estimated how these teams would have fared playing in the opposite league based on their season records in OTL. To simulate the records of the new Portland and Washington expansion teams, I averaged the actual records of the 14 existing expansion teams in OTL for each season of their existence and used this average winning percentage to estimate how well Portland and Washington would have fared against the other AL teams. For a more detailed description of the intricate calculations behind the season standings and postseason results, feel free to contact me, and I'll give you the breakdown.

Get on with it already

Thus, after intense (and at times aggravating) number-crunching, I've fleshed out an alternate history of Major League Baseball from 1892 to the present, complete with season standings and postseason series results. Due credit must be given to Baseball Reference for providing the essential data I used in my calculations. I am most grateful for the hard work that has been done by Sean Forman and his colleagues to compile that immense database. So, without further ado, here's what you all came here to see.

[DJC]

1892-1900: NL Monopoly

1892
NL East: Boston (108-46), Brooklyn (94-60), Philadelphia (89-65), New York (73-81), Washington (56-98), Baltimore (44-110)
NL West: Cleveland (101-53), Pittsburgh (83-71), Cincinnati (82-72), Chicago (72-82), Louisville (67-87), St. Louis (55-99)
NLCS: Boston def. Cleveland

1893
NL East: Boston (89-43), New York (71-61), Philadelphia (70-62), Brooklyn (65-67), Baltimore (61-71), Washington (43-89)
NL West: Pittsburgh (84-48), Cleveland (80-52), Cincinnati (67-65), St. Louis (58-74), Chicago (52-80), Louisville (52-80)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. Boston

1894
NL East: Baltimore (87-45), Boston (82-50), New York (82-50), Philadelphia (74-58), Brooklyn (67-65), Washington (36-96)
NL West: Cleveland (79-53), Pittsburgh (72-60), Chicago (60-72), Cincinnati (59-73), St. Louis (55-77), Louisville (39-93)
NLCS: Baltimore def. Cleveland

1895
NL East: Baltimore (93-39), Philadelphia (79-53), Brooklyn (69-63), Boston (67-65), New York (57-75), Washington (44-88)
NL West: Cleveland (87-45), Chicago (78-54), Pittsburgh (75-57), Cincinnati (69-63), Louisville (38-94), St. Louis (36-96)
NLCS: Cleveland def. Baltimore

1896
NL East: Baltimore (92-40), Boston (81-51), New York (60-72), Philadelphia (60-72), Brooklyn (56-76), Washington (56-76)
NL West: Cincinnati (83-49), Cleveland (82-50), Chicago (77-55), Pittsburgh (72-60), St. Louis (40-92), Louisville (33-99)
NLCS: Baltimore def. Cincinnati

1897
NL East: Boston (92-40), Baltimore (90-42), New York (83-49), Brooklyn (55-77), Washington (55-77), Philadelphia (49-83)
NL West: Cincinnati (82-50), Cleveland (73-59), Pittsburgh (68-64), Chicago (60-72), Louisville (57-75), St. Louis (28-104)
NLCS: Boston def. Cincinnati

1898
NL East: Boston (108-46), Baltimore (96-58), Philadelphia (80-74), New York (78-76), Brooklyn (57-97), Washington (50-104)
NL West: Cincinnati (98-56), Chicago (88-66), Cleveland (84-70), Pittsburgh (76-78), Louisville (69-85), St. Louis (40-114)
NLCS: Boston def. Cincinnati

1899
NL East: Brooklyn (104-50), Philadelphia (96-58), Boston (94-60), Baltimore (89-65), New York (54-100), Washington (49-105)
NL West: St. Louis (91-64), Cincinnati (90-65), Chicago (82-72), Pittsburgh (80-74), Louisville (77-77), Cleveland (19-135)
Note: St. Louis def. Cincinnati in 1-game playoff for NL West
NLCS: Brooklyn def. St. Louis

1900
NL East: Brooklyn (85-55), Philadelphia (75-65), Boston (64-76), New York (60-80)
NL West: Pittsburgh (78-62), Cincinnati (68-72), St. Louis (66-74), Chicago (64-76)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. Brooklyn

[DJC]

1901-1910: The Rise of the American League

1901
NL East: Philadelphia (82-58), Brooklyn (80-60), Boston (71-69), New York (51-89)
NL West: Pittsburgh (90-50), St. Louis (75-65), Cincinnati (56-84), Chicago (55-85)
AL East: Boston (79-61), Baltimore (74-66), Philadelphia (74-66), Washington (63-77)
AL West: Chicago (87-53), Detroit (79-61), Cleveland (55-85), Milwaukee (49-91)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. Philadelphia -- ALCS: Boston def. Chicago
World Series: Pittsburgh (NL) def. Boston (AL)

1902
NL East: Boston (78-62), Brooklyn (77-63), Philadelphia (61-79), New York (47-93)
NL West: Pittsburgh (104-36), Chicago (73-67), Cincinnati (67-73), St. Louis (53-87)
AL East: Philadelphia (86-54), Boston (79-61), Washington (63-77), Baltimore (50-90)
AL West: St. Louis (81-59), Chicago (80-60), Cleveland (67-73), Detroit (54-86)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. Boston -- ALCS: St. Louis def. Philadelphia
World Series: Pittsburgh (NL) def. St. Louis (AL)

1903
NL East: New York (88-52), Brooklyn (71-69), Boston (61-79), Philadelphia (52-88)
NL West: Pittsburgh (91-49), Chicago (84-56), Cincinnati (71-69), St. Louis (42-98)
AL East: Boston (93-47), New York (78-62), Philadelphia (77-63), Washington (40-100)
AL West: Cleveland (75-65), St. Louis (69-71), Detroit (65-75), Chicago (63-77)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. New York -- ALCS: Boston def. Cleveland
World Series: Boston (AL) def. Pittsburgh (NL)

1904
NL East: New York (114-40), Brooklyn (60-94), Boston (56-98), Philadelphia (53-101)
NL West: Chicago (91-63), Pittsburgh (86-68), Cincinnati (85-69), St. Louis (71-83)
AL East: Boston (98-56), New York (95-59), Philadelphia (82-72), Washington (36-118)
AL West: Chicago (92-62), Cleveland (85-69), St. Louis (65-89), Detroit (63-91)
NLCS: New York def. Chicago -- ALCS: Boston def. Chicago
World Series: New York (NL) def. Boston (AL)

1905
NL East: New York (107-47), Philadelphia (90-64), Boston (50-104), Brooklyn (48-106)
NL West: Pittsburgh (98-56), Chicago (92-62), Cincinnati (76-78), St. Louis (55-99)
AL East: Philadelphia (94-60), Boston (80-74), New York (73-81), Washington (63-91)
AL West: Chicago (93-61), Detroit (81-73), Cleveland (77-77), St. Louis (55-99)
NLCS: New York def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: Philadelphia def. Chicago
World Series: New York (NL) def. Philadelphia (AL)

1906
NL East: New York (98-56), Philadelphia (76-78), Brooklyn (68-86), Boston (50-104)
NL West: Chicago (118-36), Pittsburgh (90-64), Cincinnati (63-91), St. Louis (53-101)
AL East: New York (95-59), Philadelphia (85-69), Washington (57-97), Boston (50-104)
AL West: Chicago (93-61), Cleveland (90-64), St. Louis (75-79), Detroit (71-83)
NLCS: Chicago def. New York -- ALCS: Chicago def. New York
World Series: Chicago (NL) def. Chicago (AL)

1907
NL East: Philadelphia (87-67), New York (82-72), Boston (66-88), Brooklyn (65-89)
NL West: Chicago (107-47), Pittsburgh (93-61), Cincinnati (67-87), St. Louis (49-105)
AL East: Philadelphia (94-60), New York (78-76), Boston (61-93), Washington (53-101)
AL West: Detroit (90-64), Chicago (89-65), Cleveland (85-69), St. Louis (66-88)
NLCS: Chicago def. Philadelphia -- ALCS: Detroit def. Philadelphia
World Series: Chicago (NL) def. Detroit (AL)

1908
NL East: New York (102-52), Philadelphia (82-72), Boston (63-91), Brooklyn (52-102)
NL West: Chicago (102-52), Pittsburgh (99-55), Cincinnati (69-85), St. Louis (47-107)
AL East: Boston (75-79), Philadelphia (73-81), Washington (72-82), New York (54-100)
AL West: Cleveland (91-63), Detroit (87-67), Chicago (83-71), St. Louis (81-73)
NLCS: New York def. Chicago -- ALCS: Cleveland def. Boston
World Series: New York (NL) def. Cleveland (AL)

1909
NL East: New York (92-62), Philadelphia (75-79), Brooklyn (60-94), Boston (53-101)
NL West: Pittsburgh (111-43), Chicago (101-53), Cincinnati (72-82), St. Louis (52-102)
AL East: Philadelphia (97-57), Boston (90-64), New York (76-78), Washington (40-114)
AL West: Detroit (103-51), Cleveland (76-78), Chicago (74-80), St. Louis (60-94)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. New York -- ALCS: Philadelphia def. Detroit
World Series: Pittsburgh (NL) def. Philadelphia (AL)

1910
NL East: New York (95-59), Philadelphia (82-72), Brooklyn (64-90), Boston (53-101)
NL West: Chicago (102-52), Pittsburgh (88-66), Cincinnati (72-82), St. Louis (60-94)
AL East: Philadelphia (105-49), New York (90-64), Boston (78-76), Washington (60-94)
AL West: Detroit (88-66), Cleveland (77-77), Chicago (70-84), St. Louis (48-106)
NLCS: Chicago def. New York -- ALCS: Philadelphia def. Detroit
World Series: Philadelphia (AL) def. Chicago (NL)

[DJC]

1911-1920: The Federal League and the World War I Years

1911
NL East: New York (100-54), Philadelphia (84-70), Brooklyn (62-92), Boston (49-105)
NL West: Chicago (93-61), Pittsburgh (85-69), St. Louis (76-78), Cincinnati (67-87)
AL East: Philadelphia (102-52), Boston (78-76), New York (75-79), Washington (64-90)
AL West: Detroit (93-61), Cleveland (81-73), Chicago (76-78), St. Louis (47-107)
NLCS: New York def. Chicago -- ALCS: Detroit def. Philadelphia
World Series: New York (NL) def. Detroit (AL)

1912
NL East: New York (111-43), Philadelphia (73-81), Brooklyn (60-94), Boston (52-102)
NL West: Pittsburgh (93-61), Chicago (88-66), Cincinnati (77-77), St. Louis (62-92)
AL East: Boston (106-48), Philadelphia (91-63), Washington (86-68), New York (46-108)
AL West: Chicago (81-73), Cleveland (80-74), Detroit (71-83), St. Louis (55-99)
NLCS: New York def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: Boston def. Chicago
World Series: New York (NL) def. Boston (AL)

1913
NL East: New York (101-53), Philadelphia (88-66), Boston (69-85), Brooklyn (67-87)
NL West: Chicago (90-64), Pittsburgh (83-71), Cincinnati (64-90), St. Louis (54-100)
AL East: Philadelphia (96-58), Washington (91-63), Boston (79-75), New York (54-100)
AL West: Cleveland (92-62), Chicago (78-76), Detroit (66-88), St. Louis (60-94)
NLCS: New York def. Chicago -- ALCS: Philadelphia def. Cleveland
World Series: New York (NL) def. Philadelphia (AL)

1914
NL East: Boston (88-66), New York (83-71), Brooklyn (76-78), Philadelphia (74-80)
NL West: Chicago (82-72), St. Louis (78-76), Pittsburgh (75-79), Cincinnati (60-94)
AL East: Philadelphia (96-58), Boston (88-66), Washington (80-74), New York (68-86)
AL West: Detroit (84-70), St. Louis (76-78), Chicago (73-81), Cleveland (51-103)
NLCS: Boston def. Chicago -- ALCS: Philadelphia def. Detroit
World Series: Philadelphia (AL) def. Boston (NL)

FL East: Brooklyn (83-72), Baltimore (82-73), Buffalo (81-73), Pittsburgh (63-91)
FL West: Chicago (89-65), Indianapolis (88-66), St. Louis (66-88), Kansas City (65-89)
Note: Brooklyn def. Baltimore in 1-game playoff for FL East
FLCS: Chicago def. Brooklyn

1915
NL East: Philadelphia (90-64), Boston (83-71), Brooklyn (81-73), New York (66-88)
NL West: Chicago (78-76), Cincinnati (74-80), Pittsburgh (72-82), St. Louis (72-82)
AL East: Boston (102-52), Washington (84-70), New York (72-82), Philadelphia (46-108)
AL West: Detroit (100-54), Chicago (95-59), St. Louis (61-93), Cleveland (56-98)
NLCS: Philadelphia def. Chicago -- ALCS: Boston def. Detroit
World Series: Boston (AL) def. Philadelphia (NL)

FL East: Newark (83-71), Buffalo (79-75), Brooklyn (74-80), Baltimore (49-105)
FL West: St. Louis (85-69), Chicago (84-70), Pittsburgh (84-70), Kansas City (78-76)
FLCS: St. Louis def. Newark

1916
NL East: Brooklyn (90-64), Boston (88-66), Philadelphia (88-66), New York (80-74)
NL West: Pittsburgh (71-83), Chicago (70-84), Cincinnati (67-87), St. Louis (62-92)
AL East: Boston (90-64), New York (84-70), Washington (77-77), Philadelphia (40-114)
AL West: Chicago (91-63), Detroit (84-70), Cleveland (76-78), St. Louis (74-80)
NLCS: Brooklyn def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: Boston def. Chicago
World Series: Brooklyn (NL) def. Boston (AL)

1917
NL East: New York (98-56), Philadelphia (84-70), Boston (73-81), Brooklyn (69-85)
NL West: St. Louis (85-69), Cincinnati (79-75), Chicago (76-78), Pittsburgh (52-102)
AL East: Boston (95-59), Washington (76-78), New York (71-83), Philadelphia (53-101)
AL West: Chicago (103-51), Cleveland (86-68), Detroit (76-78), St. Louis (56-98)
NLCS: New York def. St. Louis -- ALCS: Chicago def. Boston
World Series: Chicago (AL) def. New York (NL)

1918
NL East: New York (99-55), Brooklyn (69-85), Philadelphia (68-86), Boston (61-93)
NL West: Chicago (102-52), Pittsburgh (84-70), Cincinnati (76-78), St. Louis (57-97)
AL East: Boston (89-65), Washington (87-67), New York (79-75), Philadelphia (59-95)
AL West: Cleveland (93-61), St. Louis (72-82), Chicago (70-84), Detroit (67-87)
NLCS: Chicago def. New York -- ALCS: Boston def. Cleveland
World Series: Chicago (NL) def. Boston (AL)

1919
NL East: New York (91-49), Brooklyn (71-69), Boston (60-80), Philadelphia (46-94)
NL West: Cincinnati (96-44), Chicago (74-66), Pittsburgh (68-72), St. Louis (54-86)
AL East: New York (85-55), Boston (72-68), Washington (59-81), Philadelphia (36-104)
AL West: Chicago (85-55), Detroit (82-58), Cleveland (77-63), St. Louis (64-76)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. New York -- ALCS: Chicago def. New York
World Series: Cincinnati (NL) def. Chicago (AL)

1920
NL East: Brooklyn (94-60), New York (82-72), Philadelphia (66-88), Boston (64-90)
NL West: Cincinnati (84-70), Pittsburgh (78-76), Chicago (74-80), St. Louis (74-80)
AL East: New York (97-57), Washington (76-78), Boston (73-81), Philadelphia (45-109)
AL West: Cleveland (98-56), Chicago (97-57), St. Louis (72-82), Detroit (58-96)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: New York (AL) def. Cincinnati (NL)

[DJC]

1921-1930: Live Ball and the Roaring Twenties

1921
NL East: New York (95-59), Brooklyn (82-72), Boston (78-76), Philadelphia (50-104)
NL West: Pittsburgh (91-63), St. Louis (87-67), Cincinnati (69-85), Chicago (64-90)
AL East: New York (100-54), Washington (79-75), Boston (73-81), Philadelphia (56-98)
AL West: Cleveland (97-57), St. Louis (78-76), Detroit (74-80), Chicago (59-95)
NLCS: New York def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: New York (AL) def. New York (NL)

1922
NL East: New York (94-60), Brooklyn (79-75), Philadelphia (60-94), Boston (54-100)
NL West: St. Louis (85-69), Pittsburgh (82-72), Chicago (81-73), Cincinnati (81-73)
AL East: New York (93-61), Washington (70-84), Boston (66-88), Philadelphia (65-89)
AL West: St. Louis (95-59), Chicago (80-74), Cleveland (76-78), Detroit (71-83)
NLCS: New York def. St. Louis -- ALCS: New York def. St. Louis
World Series: New York (AL) def. New York (NL)

1923
NL East: New York (99-55), Brooklyn (78-76), Boston (57-97), Philadelphia (51-103)
NL West: Cincinnati (87-67), Pittsburgh (86-68), Chicago (80-74), St. Louis (78-76)
AL East: New York (102-52), Washington (72-82), Philadelphia (68-86), Boston (65-89)
AL West: Detroit (85-69), Cleveland (84-70), St. Louis (73-81), Chicago (67-87)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. New York -- ALCS: New York def. Detroit
World Series: New York (AL) def. Cincinnati (NL)

1924
NL East: New York (97-57), Brooklyn (92-62), Philadelphia (56-98), Boston (54-100)
NL West: Pittsburgh (91-63), Cincinnati (85-69), Chicago (78-76), St. Louis (63-91)
AL East: Washington (93-61), New York (91-63), Philadelphia (69-85), Boston (64-90)
AL West: Detroit (86-68), St. Louis (74-80), Chicago (70-84), Cleveland (69-85)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. New York -- ALCS: Washington def. Detroit
World Series: Washington (AL) def. Pittsburgh (NL)

1925
NL East: New York (86-68), Boston (72-82), Philadelphia (72-82), Brooklyn (69-85)
NL West: Pittsburgh (94-60), Cincinnati (78-76), St. Louis (77-77), Chicago (68-86)
AL East: Washington (99-55), Philadelphia (88-66), New York (70-84), Boston (49-105)
AL West: St. Louis (82-72), Chicago (80-74), Detroit (78-76), Cleveland (70-84)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. New York -- ALCS: St. Louis def. Washington
World Series: Pittsburgh (NL) def. St. Louis (AL)

1926
NL East: New York (79-75), Brooklyn (76-78), Boston (66-88), Philadelphia (62-92)
NL West: Cincinnati (87-68), St. Louis (86-69), Chicago (82-72), Pittsburgh (79-75)
AL East: New York (90-64), Washington (88-66), Philadelphia (84-70), Boston (43-111)
AL West: Chicago (86-68), Cleveland (84-70), Detroit (77-77), St. Louis (64-90)
Note: Cincinnati def. St. Louis in 1-game playoff for NL West
NLCS: New York def. Cincinnati -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: New York (AL) def. New York (NL)

1927
NL East: New York (93-61), Brooklyn (68-86), Boston (65-89), Philadelphia (54-100)
NL West: Pittsburgh (94-60), St. Louis (89-65), Chicago (82-72), Cincinnati (71-83)
AL East: New York (109-45), Philadelphia (89-65), Washington (86-68), Boston (45-109)
AL West: Detroit (83-71), Chicago (75-79), Cleveland (68-86), St. Louis (61-93)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. New York -- ALCS: New York def. Detroit
World Series: New York (AL) def. Pittsburgh (NL)

1928
NL East: New York (97-57), Brooklyn (80-74), Boston (54-100), Philadelphia (46-108)
NL West: St. Louis (92-62), Chicago (88-66), Pittsburgh (81-73), Cincinnati (78-76)
AL East: New York (103-51), Philadelphia (96-58), Washington (73-81), Boston (56-98)
AL West: St. Louis (83-71), Chicago (75-79), Detroit (68-86), Cleveland (62-92)
NLCS: New York def. St. Louis -- ALCS: New York def. St. Louis
World Series: New York (AL) def. New York (NL)

1929
NL East: New York (86-68), Philadelphia (75-79), Brooklyn (73-81), Boston (57-97)
NL West: Chicago (98-56), Pittsburgh (91-63), St. Louis (76-78), Cincinnati (60-94)
AL East: Philadelphia (109-45), New York (87-67), Washington (69-85), Boston (55-99)
AL West: St. Louis (85-69), Cleveland (80-74), Detroit (72-82), Chicago (59-95)
NLCS: Chicago def. New York -- ALCS: Philadelphia def. St. Louis
World Series: Philadelphia (AL) def. Chicago (NL)

1930
NL East: Brooklyn (88-66), New York (86-68), Boston (72-82), Philadelphia (51-103)
NL West: St. Louis (92-62), Chicago (86-68), Pittsburgh (83-71), Cincinnati (58-96)
AL East: Philadelphia (101-53), Washington (97-57), New York (83-71), Boston (47-107)
AL West: Cleveland (83-71), Detroit (77-77), Chicago (65-89), St. Louis (63-91)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: Philadelphia def. Cleveland
World Series: Philadelphia (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

[DJC]

1931-1940: The Depression Years

1931
NL East: New York (90-64), Brooklyn (80-74), Boston (65-89), Philadelphia (65-89)
NL West: St. Louis (102-52), Chicago (84-70), Pittsburgh (77-77), Cincinnati (53-101)
AL East: Philadelphia (104-50), New York (95-59), Washington (88-66), Boston (57-97)
AL West: Cleveland (85-69), Detroit (64-90), St. Louis (63-91), Chicago (60-94)
NLCS: St. Louis def. New York -- ALCS: Philadelphia def. Cleveland
World Series: Philadelphia (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

1932
NL East: Philadelphia (80-75), Boston (79-76), Brooklyn (78-76), New York (71-83)
NL West: Pittsburgh (89-65), Chicago (86-68), St. Louis (75-79), Cincinnati (59-95)
AL East: New York (104-50), Philadelphia (93-61), Washington (92-62), Boston (40-114)
AL West: Cleveland (91-63), Detroit (81-73), St. Louis (63-91), Chicago (52-102)
Note: Philadelphia def. Boston in 1-game playoff for NL East
NLCS: Philadelphia def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: New York (AL) def. Philadelphia (NL)

1933
NL East: New York (92-62), Boston (83-71), Brooklyn (67-87), Philadelphia (61-93)
NL West: Pittsburgh (89-65), Chicago (84-70), St. Louis (81-73), Cincinnati (59-95)
AL East: Washington (100-54), New York (90-64), Philadelphia (77-77), Boston (65-89)
AL West: Cleveland (80-74), Detroit (78-76), Chicago (71-83), St. Louis (55-99)
NLCS: New York def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: Washington def. Cleveland
World Series: Washington (AL) def. New York (NL)

1934
NL East: New York (96-58), Boston (82-72), Brooklyn (69-85), Philadelphia (58-96)
NL West: St. Louis (92-62), Chicago (88-66), Pittsburgh (78-76), Cincinnati (53-101)
AL East: New York (91-63), Boston (79-75), Philadelphia (70-84), Washington (66-88)
AL West: Detroit (104-50), Cleveland (83-71), St. Louis (69-85), Chicago (54-100)
NLCS: St. Louis def. New York -- ALCS: Detroit def. New York
World Series: Detroit (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

1935
NL East: New York (93-61), Brooklyn (75-79), Philadelphia (69-85), Boston (39-115)
NL West: St. Louis (96-59), Chicago (95-60), Pittsburgh (85-69), Cincinnati (65-89)
AL East: New York (94-60), Boston (81-73), Washington (67-87), Philadelphia (57-97)
AL West: Detroit (96-58), Cleveland (82-72), Chicago (76-78), St. Louis (63-91)
Note: St. Louis def. Chicago in 1-game playoff for NL West
NLCS: New York def. St. Louis -- ALCS: Detroit def. New York
World Series: Detroit (AL) def. New York (NL)

1936
NL East: New York (94-60), Brooklyn (70-84), Boston (70-84), Philadelphia (56-98)
NL West: St. Louis (88-66), Chicago (83-71), Pittsburgh (82-72), Cincinnati (73-81)
AL East: New York (103-51), Washington (85-69), Boston (73-81), Philadelphia (52-102)
AL West: Detroit (85-69), Chicago (81-73), Cleveland (78-76), St. Louis (59-95)
NLCS: St. Louis def. New York -- ALCS: New York def. Detroit
World Series: New York (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

1937
NL East: New York (96-58), Boston (84-70), Philadelphia (63-91), Brooklyn (61-93)
NL West: Pittsburgh (93-61), Chicago (92-62), St. Louis (76-78), Cincinnati (51-103)
AL East: New York (102-52), Boston (82-72), Washington (75-79), Philadelphia (52-102)
AL West: Detroit (90-64), Chicago (87-67), Cleveland (86-68), St. Louis (42-112)
NLCS: New York def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: New York def. Detroit
World Series: New York (AL) def. New York (NL)

1938
NL East: New York (91-63), Boston (78-76), Brooklyn (73-81), Philadelphia (46-108)
NL West: Chicago (89-65), Pittsburgh (87-67), Cincinnati (83-71), St. Louis (69-85)
AL East: New York (101-53), Boston (90-64), Washington (76-78), Philadelphia (51-103)
AL West: Cleveland (87-67), Detroit (84-70), Chicago (69-85), St. Louis (58-96)
NLCS: Chicago def. New York -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: New York (AL) def. Chicago (NL)

1939
NL East: Brooklyn (87-67), New York (81-73), Boston (69-85), Philadelphia (46-108)
NL West: Cincinnati (96-58), St. Louis (89-65), Chicago (84-70), Pittsburgh (64-90)
AL East: New York (105-49), Boston (95-59), Washington (67-87), Philadelphia (50-104)
AL West: Chicago (88-66), Cleveland (87-67), Detroit (82-72), St. Louis (42-112)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: New York (AL) def. Cincinnati (NL)

1940
NL East: Brooklyn (95-59), New York (72-82), Boston (69-85), Philadelphia (50-104)
NL West: Cincinnati (101-53), St. Louis (82-72), Pittsburgh (76-78), Chicago (71-83)
AL East: New York (92-62), Boston (86-68), Washington (64-90), Philadelphia (52-102)
AL West: Detroit (90-64), Cleveland (88-66), Chicago (81-73), St. Louis (63-91)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: Detroit def. New York
World Series: Cincinnati (NL) def. Detroit (AL)

[DJC]

1941-1950: World War II and Integration

1941
NL East: Brooklyn (105-49), New York (80-74), Boston (60-94), Philadelphia (42-112)
NL West: St. Louis (95-59), Cincinnati (87-67), Pittsburgh (78-76), Chicago (69-85)
AL East: New York (101-53), Boston (87-67), Washington (67-87), Philadelphia (63-91)
AL West: Chicago (80-74), Detroit (75-79), Cleveland (73-81), St. Louis (70-84)
NLCS: Brooklyn def. St. Louis -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: New York (AL) def. Brooklyn (NL)

1942
NL East: Brooklyn (108-46), New York (86-68), Boston (62-92), Philadelphia (42-112)
NL West: St. Louis (105-49), Cincinnati (75-79), Chicago (69-85), Pittsburgh (69-85)
AL East: New York (103-51), Boston (94-60), Washington (61-93), Philadelphia (55-99)
AL West: St. Louis (87-67), Detroit (77-77), Cleveland (73-81), Chicago (66-88)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: New York def. St. Louis
World Series: St. Louis (NL) def. New York (AL)

1943
NL East: Brooklyn (84-70), Boston (72-82), Philadelphia (66-88), New York (58-96)
NL West: St. Louis (101-53), Cincinnati (85-69), Pittsburgh (80-74), Chicago (70-84)
AL East: New York (99-55), Washington (87-67), Boston (68-86), Philadelphia (50-104)
AL West: Cleveland (84-70), Chicago (76-78), Detroit (76-78), St. Louis (76-78)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: St. Louis (NL) def. New York (AL)

1944
NL East: Brooklyn (72-82), New York (71-83), Boston (66-88), Philadelphia (64-90)
NL West: St. Louis (102-52), Pittsburgh (86-68), Cincinnati (85-69), Chicago (70-84)
AL East: New York (85-69), Boston (76-78), Philadelphia (70-84), Washington (68-86)
AL West: St. Louis (89-65), Detroit (85-69), Chicago (72-82), Cleveland (71-83)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: St. Louis def. New York
World Series: St. Louis (NL) def. St. Louis (AL)

1945
NL East: Brooklyn (94-60), New York (80-74), Boston (70-84), Philadelphia (44-110)
NL West: Chicago (97-57), St. Louis (95-59), Pittsburgh (79-75), Cincinnati (57-97)
AL East: New York (89-65), Washington (86-68), Boston (72-82), Philadelphia (50-104)
AL West: Detroit (88-66), St. Louis (80-74), Cleveland (78-76), Chicago (73-81)
NLCS: Chicago def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: Detroit def. New York
World Series: Chicago (NL) def. Detroit (AL)

1946
NL East: Brooklyn (100-54), Boston (80-74), Philadelphia (65-89), New York (62-92)
NL West: St. Louis (96-58), Chicago (81-73), Cincinnati (68-86), Pittsburgh (64-90)
AL East: Boston (105-49), New York (88-66), Washington (75-79), Philadelphia (46-108)
AL West: Detroit (93-61), Chicago (77-77), Cleveland (67-87), St. Louis (65-89)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: Boston def. Detroit
World Series: Boston (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

1947
NL East: Brooklyn (93-61), Boston (87-67), New York (77-77), Philadelphia (62-92)
NL West: St. Louis (91-63), Cincinnati (73-81), Chicago (70-84), Pittsburgh (63-91)
AL East: New York (97-57), Boston (81-73), Philadelphia (76-78), Washington (66-88)
AL West: Detroit (89-65), Cleveland (80-74), Chicago (69-85), St. Louis (58-96)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: New York def. Detroit
World Series: New York (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

1948
NL East: Boston (92-62), Brooklyn (83-71), New York (80-74), Philadelphia (64-90)
NL West: Pittsburgh (85-69), St. Louis (81-73), Cincinnati (66-88), Chicago (65-89)
AL East: Boston (95-59), New York (92-62), Philadelphia (83-71), Washington (54-100)
AL West: Cleveland (98-56), Detroit (79-75), St. Louis (64-90), Chicago (51-103)
NLCS: Boston def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: Cleveland def. Boston
World Series: Cleveland (AL) def. Boston (NL)

1949
NL East: Brooklyn (93-61), Philadelphia (80-74), Boston (76-78), New York (72-82)
NL West: St. Louis (97-57), Pittsburgh (74-80), Chicago (62-92), Cincinnati (62-92)
AL East: New York (97-57), Boston (96-58), Philadelphia (80-74), Washington (47-107)
AL West: Cleveland (91-63), Detroit (86-68), Chicago (65-89), St. Louis (54-100)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: St. Louis (NL) def. New York (AL)

1950
NL East: Philadelphia (89-66), Brooklyn (88-67), New York (82-72), Boston (80-74)
NL West: St. Louis (79-75), Cincinnati (72-82), Chicago (64-90), Pittsburgh (63-91)
AL East: New York (97-57), Boston (93-61), Washington (66-88), Philadelphia (54-100)
AL West: Detroit (95-59), Cleveland (93-61), Chicago (60-94), St. Louis (58-96)
Note: Philadelphia def. Brooklyn in 1-game playoff for NL East
NLCS: Philadelphia def. St. Louis -- ALCS: New York def. Detroit
World Series: New York (AL) def. Philadelphia (NL)

[DJC]

1951-1960: Franchise Migration Begins

1951
NL East: Brooklyn (95-60), New York (94-61), Boston (73-81), Philadelphia (69-85)
NL West: St. Louis (87-67), Cincinnati (70-84), Pittsburgh (66-88), Chicago (63-91)
AL East: New York (97-57), Boston (89-65), Philadelphia (68-86), Washington (61-93)
AL West: Cleveland (95-59), Chicago (83-71), Detroit (69-85), St. Louis (54-100)
Note: Brooklyn def. New York in 1-game playoff for NL East
NLCS: Brooklyn def. St. Louis -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: New York (AL) def. Brooklyn (NL)

1952
NL East: Brooklyn (94-60), New York (92-62), Philadelphia (87-67), Boston (60-94)
NL West: St. Louis (89-65), Chicago (80-74), Cincinnati (72-82), Pittsburgh (42-112)
AL East: New York (95-59), Washington (79-75), Philadelphia (75-79), Boston (74-80)
AL West: Cleveland (95-59), Chicago (83-71), St. Louis (66-88), Detroit (49-105)
NLCS: Brooklyn def. St. Louis -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: Brooklyn (NL) def. New York (AL)

1953
NL East: Brooklyn (106-48), Philadelphia (83-71), New York (68-86), Pittsburgh (50-104)
NL West: Milwaukee (93-61), St. Louis (81-73), Chicago (68-86), Cincinnati (67-87)
AL East: New York (101-53), Boston (82-72), Washington (76-78), Philadelphia (56-98)
AL West: Cleveland (94-60), Chicago (92-62), Detroit (59-95), St. Louis (56-98)
NLCS: Brooklyn def. Milwaukee -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: Brooklyn (NL) def. New York (AL)

1954
NL East: New York (99-55), Brooklyn (90-64), Philadelphia (75-79), Pittsburgh (52-102)
NL West: Milwaukee (89-65), Cincinnati (74-80), St. Louis (73-81), Chicago (64-90)
AL East: New York (104-50), Boston (73-81), Washington (66-88), Philadelphia (52-102)
AL West: Cleveland (109-45), Chicago (91-63), Detroit (70-84), Baltimore (51-103)
NLCS: New York def. Milwaukee -- ALCS: Cleveland def. New York
World Series: Cleveland (AL) def. New York (NL)

1955
NL East: Brooklyn (100-54), New York (80-74), Philadelphia (76-78), Pittsburgh (57-97)
NL West: Milwaukee (86-68), Cincinnati (74-80), Chicago (73-81), St. Louis (70-84)
AL East: New York (102-52), Boston (84-70), Baltimore (57-97), Washington (53-101)
AL West: Cleveland (93-61), Chicago (90-64), Detroit (76-78), Kansas City (61-93)
NLCS: Brooklyn def. Milwaukee -- ALCS: Cleveland def. New York
World Series: Brooklyn (NL) def. Cleveland (AL)

1956
NL East: Brooklyn (94-60), New York (70-84), Philadelphia (70-84), Pittsburgh (69-85)
NL West: Milwaukee (92-62), Cincinnati (90-64), St. Louis (74-80), Chicago (57-97)
AL East: New York (98-56), Boston (82-72), Baltimore (67-87), Washington (62-92)
AL West: Chicago (88-66), Cleveland (86-68), Detroit (83-71), Kansas City (50-104)
NLCS: Milwaukee def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: New York (AL) def. Milwaukee (NL)

1957
NL East: Brooklyn (81-73), Philadelphia (80-74), New York (69-85), Pittsburgh (65-89)
NL West: Milwaukee (97-57), St. Louis (85-69), Cincinnati (75-79), Chicago (64-90)
AL East: New York (97-57), Boston (83-71), Baltimore (76-78), Washington (56-98)
AL West: Chicago (90-64), Cleveland (75-79), Detroit (75-79), Kansas City (64-90)
NLCS: Milwaukee def. Brooklyn -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: New York (AL) def. Milwaukee (NL)

1958
NL East: Milwaukee (94-60), Pittsburgh (82-72), Cincinnati (75-79), Philadelphia (69-85)
NL West: San Francisco (83-71), St. Louis (73-81), Chicago (71-83), Los Angeles (69-85)
AL East: New York (91-63), Boston (79-75), Baltimore (76-78), Washington (60-94)
AL West: Chicago (81-73), Cleveland (78-76), Detroit (77-77), Kansas City (74-80)
NLCS: Milwaukee def. San Francisco -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: Milwaukee (NL) def. New York (AL)

1959
NL East: Milwaukee (87-67), Pittsburgh (78-76), Cincinnati (71-83), Philadelphia (67-87)
NL West: Los Angeles (86-68), San Francisco (82-72), Chicago (75-79), St. Louis (70-84)
AL East: Boston (80-75), New York (79-76), Baltimore (73-81), Washington (64-90)
AL West: Chicago (93-61), Cleveland (88-66), Detroit (75-79), Kansas City (65-89)
Note: Boston def. New York in 1-game playoff for AL East
NLCS: Los Angeles def. Milwaukee -- ALCS: Chicago def. Boston
World Series: Chicago (AL) def. Los Angeles (NL)

1960
NL East: Pittsburgh (97-57), Milwaukee (88-66), Cincinnati (64-90), Philadelphia (60-94)
NL West: St. Louis (84-70), Los Angeles (82-72), San Francisco (82-72), Chicago (59-95)
AL East: New York (96-58), Baltimore (86-68), Washington (74-80), Boston (63-91)
AL West: Chicago (86-68), Cleveland (76-78), Detroit (75-79), Kansas City (60-94)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. St. Louis -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: New York (AL) def. Pittsburgh (NL)

[DJC]

1961-1970: The Advent of the Expansion Era

1961
NL East: Cincinnati (96-58), Milwaukee (82-72), Pittsburgh (78-76), Philadelphia (46-108)
NL West: Los Angeles (87-67), San Francisco (85-69), St. Louis (82-72), Chicago (60-94)
AL East: New York (109-53), Baltimore (96-66), Cleveland (81-81), Boston (73-89), Washington (60-102)
AL West: Detroit (102-60), Chicago (86-76), Minnesota (73-89), Los Angeles (69-93), Kansas City (61-101)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: New York def. Detroit
World Series: New York (AL) def. Cincinnati (NL)

1962
NL East: Cincinnati (100-62), Pittsburgh (91-71), Milwaukee (85-77), Philadelphia (82-80), New York (41-121)
NL West: San Francisco (101-61), Los Angeles (99-63), St. Louis (86-76), Houston (67-95), Chicago (58-104)
AL East: New York (96-66), Cleveland (82-80), Baltimore (81-81), Boston (77-85), Washington (60-102)
AL West: Minnesota (91-71), Los Angeles (85-77), Chicago (84-78), Detroit (84-78), Kansas City (70-92)
NLCS: San Francisco def. Cincinnati -- ALCS: New York def. Minnesota
World Series: San Francisco (NL) def. New York (AL)

1963
NL East: Philadelphia (89-73), Cincinnati (87-75), Milwaukee (84-78), Pittsburgh (76-86), New York (53-109)
NL West: Los Angeles (98-64), St. Louis (93-69), San Francisco (86-76), Chicago (81-81), Houston (63-99)
AL East: New York (105-57), Baltimore (86-76), Cleveland (80-82), Boston (77-85), Washington (53-109)
AL West: Chicago (94-68), Minnesota (92-70), Detroit (81-81), Kansas City (72-90), Los Angeles (70-92)
NLCS: Philadelphia def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: New York (AL) def. Philadelphia (NL)

1964
NL East: Philadelphia (92-70), Milwaukee (91-71), Cincinnati (90-72), Pittsburgh (80-82), New York (50-112)
NL West: San Francisco (92-70), St. Louis (91-71), Los Angeles (80-82), Chicago (78-84), Houston (66-96)
AL East: New York (99-63), Baltimore (98-64), Cleveland (80-82), Boston (73-89), Washington (60-102)
AL West: Chicago (98-64), Detroit (85-77), Los Angeles (82-80), Minnesota (78-84), Kansas City (57-105)
NLCS: Philadelphia def. San Francisco -- ALCS: New York def. Chicago
World Series: New York (AL) def. Philadelphia (NL)

1965
NL East: Pittsburgh (93-69), Cincinnati (92-70), Milwaukee (85-77), Philadelphia (83-79), New York (50-112)
NL West: Los Angeles (98-64), San Francisco (95-67), St. Louis (78-84), Chicago (72-90), Houston (64-98)
AL East: Baltimore (95-67), Cleveland (88-74), New York (76-86), Washington (69-93), Boston (66-96)
AL West: Minnesota (99-63), Chicago (94-68), Detroit (90-72), California (78-84), Kansas City (55-107)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: Minnesota def. Baltimore
World Series: Minnesota (AL) def. Pittsburgh (NL)

1966
NL East: Pittsburgh (92-70), Atlanta (86-76), Philadelphia (86-76), Cincinnati (79-83), New York (63-99)
NL West: San Francisco (95-67), Los Angeles (94-68), St. Louis (83-79), Houston (74-88), Chicago (58-104)
AL East: Baltimore (99-63), Cleveland (84-78), Washington (76-86), Boston (71-91), New York (68-94)
AL West: Detroit (89-74), Minnesota (88-75), Chicago (82-80), California (81-81), Kansas City (73-89)
Note: Detroit def. Minnesota in 1-game playoff for AL West
NLCS: San Francisco def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: Baltimore def. Detroit
World Series: Baltimore (AL) def. San Francisco (NL)

1967
NL East: Cincinnati (91-71), Philadelphia (82-80), Pittsburgh (81-81), Atlanta (76-86), New York (63-99)
NL West: St. Louis (101-61), San Francisco (91-71), Chicago (85-77), Houston (70-92), Los Angeles (70-92)
AL East: Boston (93-69), Baltimore (81-81), Cleveland (76-86), New York (73-89), Washington (72-90)
AL West: Minnesota (92-71), Detroit (91-72), Chicago (87-75), California (84-78), Kansas City (62-100)
Note: Minnesota def. Detroit in 1-game playoff for AL West
NLCS: St. Louis def. Cincinnati -- ALCS: Minnesota def. Boston
World Series: St. Louis (NL) def. Minnesota (AL)

1968
NL East: Cincinnati (84-78), Atlanta (83-79), Pittsburgh (81-81), Philadelphia (75-87), New York (72-90)
NL West: St. Louis (95-67), San Francisco (89-73), Chicago (85-77), Los Angeles (75-87), Houston (71-91)
AL East: Baltimore (94-68), Boston (87-75), Cleveland (86-76), New York (81-81), Washington (64-98)
AL West: Detroit (106-56), Oakland (81-81), Minnesota (78-84), Chicago (70-92), California (63-99)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Cincinnati -- ALCS: Detroit def. Baltimore
World Series: Detroit (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

1969
NL East: New York (100-62), Atlanta (91-71), Cincinnati (90-72), Pittsburgh (87-75), Philadelphia (63-99), Montreal (51-111)
NL West: Chicago (96-66), St. Louis (90-72), San Francisco (88-74), Houston (83-79), Los Angeles (83-79), San Diego (50-112)
AL East: Baltimore (109-53), Detroit (90-72), Boston (87-75), Washington (86-76), New York (80-82), Cleveland (63-99)
AL West: Minnesota (97-65), Oakland (88-74), California (71-91), Kansas City (69-93), Chicago (68-94), Seattle (64-98)
NLCS: New York def. Chicago -- ALCS: Baltimore def. Minnesota
World Series: Baltimore (AL) def. New York (NL)

1970
NL East: Cincinnati (103-59), Pittsburgh (87-75), New York (80-82), Atlanta (79-83), Montreal (74-88), Philadelphia (71-91)
NL West: Los Angeles (89-73), Chicago (88-74), San Francisco (85-77), Houston (80-82), St. Louis (76-86), San Diego (60-102)
AL East: Baltimore (108-54), New York (93-69), Boston (87-75), Detroit (79-83), Cleveland (76-86), Washington (70-92)
AL West: Minnesota (98-64), Oakland (89-73), California (86-76), Kansas City (65-97), Milwaukee (65-97), Chicago (56-106)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: Minnesota def. Baltimore
World Series: Cincinnati (NL) def. Minnesota (AL)

[DJC]

1971-1980: The Reserve Clause Falls

1971
NL East: Pittsburgh (97-65), Atlanta (84-78), New York (82-80), Cincinnati (81-81), Montreal (72-90), Philadelphia (69-93)
NL West: St. Louis (92-70), San Francisco (90-72), Los Angeles (87-75), Chicago (82-80), Houston (77-85), San Diego (59-103)
AL East: Baltimore (105-57), Detroit (91-71), Boston (85-77), New York (82-80), Washington (64-98), Cleveland (60-102)
AL West: Oakland (101-61), Kansas City (85-77), Chicago (79-83), California (76-86), Minnesota (74-88), Milwaukee (70-92)
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. St. Louis -- ALCS: Baltimore def. Oakland
World Series: Baltimore (AL) def. Pittsburgh (NL)

1972
NL East: Cincinnati (103-59), Pittsburgh (98-64), New York (84-78), Atlanta (76-86), Montreal (73-89), Philadelphia (60-102)
NL West: Houston (91-71), Chicago (90-72), Los Angeles (88-74), St. Louis (81-81), San Francisco (71-91), San Diego (57-105)
AL East: Detroit (90-72), Boston (88-74), Baltimore (85-77), New York (82-80), Cleveland (74-88), Milwaukee (68-94)
AL West: Oakland (98-64), Chicago (90-72), Minnesota (81-81), Kansas City (80-82), California (79-83), Texas (57-105)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. Houston -- ALCS: Oakland def. Detroit
World Series: Cincinnati (NL) def. Oakland (AL)

1973
NL East: Cincinnati (100-62), New York (82-80), Montreal (78-84), Atlanta (77-85), Pittsburgh (77-85), Philadelphia (70-92)
NL West: Los Angeles (97-65), San Francisco (90-72), Houston (83-79), St. Louis (82-80), Chicago (76-86), San Diego (60-102)
AL East: Baltimore (97-65), Boston (89-73), Detroit (85-77), New York (80-82), Milwaukee (74-88), Cleveland (71-91)
AL West: Oakland (94-68), Kansas City (88-74), Minnesota (81-81), California (79-83), Chicago (77-85), Texas (57-105)
NLCS: Cincinnati def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: Oakland def. Baltimore
World Series: Cincinnati (NL) def. Oakland (AL)

1974
NL East: Cincinnati (99-63), Atlanta (89-73), Pittsburgh (89-73), Philadelphia (78-84), Montreal (77-85), New York (69-93)
NL West: Los Angeles (103-59), Houston (84-78), St. Louis (84-78), San Francisco (73-89), Chicago (64-98), San Diego (63-99)
AL East: Baltimore (91-71), New York (89-73), Boston (84-78), Cleveland (77-85), Milwaukee (76-86), Detroit (72-90)
AL West: Oakland (90-72), Texas (85-77), Minnesota (82-80), Chicago (81-81), Kansas City (77-85), California (68-94)
NLCS: Los Angeles def. Cincinnati -- ALCS: Oakland def. Baltimore
World Series: Los Angeles (NL) def. Oakland (AL)

1975
NL East: Cincinnati (108-54), Pittsburgh (92-70), Philadelphia (87-75), New York (81-81), Montreal (72-90), Atlanta (66-96)
NL West: Los Angeles (88-74), St. Louis (87-75), San Francisco (81-81), Chicago (74-88), San Diego (71-91), Houston (65-97)
AL East: Boston (96-66), Baltimore (93-69), New York (84-78), Cleveland (80-82), Milwaukee (68-94), Detroit (57-105)
AL West: Oakland (98-64), Kansas City (91-71), Texas (79-83), Minnesota (78-84), Chicago (75-87), California (73-89)
NLCS: Los Angeles def. Cincinnati -- ALCS: Boston def. Oakland
World Series: Boston (AL) def. Los Angeles (NL)

1976
NL East: Philadelphia (102-60), Cincinnati (101-61), Pittsburgh (92-70), New York (86-76), Atlanta (68-94), Montreal (54-108)
NL West: Los Angeles (97-65), Houston (83-79), Chicago (73-89), San Diego (73-89), San Francisco (72-90), St. Louis (71-91)
AL East: New York (99-63), Baltimore (88-74), Boston (83-79), Cleveland (82-80), Detroit (75-87), Milwaukee (66-96)
AL West: Kansas City (90-72), Oakland (88-74), Minnesota (85-77), California (76-86), Texas (76-86), Chicago (64-98)
NLCS: Philadelphia def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: Kansas City def. New York
World Series: Philadelphia (NL) def. Kansas City (AL)

1977
NL East: Philadelphia (100-62), Pittsburgh (99-63), Cincinnati (90-72), Montreal (73-89), New York (61-101), Atlanta (58-104)
NL West: Los Angeles (97-65), Chicago (86-76), St. Louis (84-78), Houston (79-83), San Francisco (74-88), San Diego (71-91)
AL East: New York (101-61), Baltimore (97-65), Boston (97-65), Detroit (73-89), Cleveland (71-91), Milwaukee (65-97), Toronto (53-109)
AL West: Kansas City (105-57), Texas (95-67), Chicago (91-71), Minnesota (85-77), California (74-88), Seattle (64-98), Oakland (63-99)
NLCS: Philadelphia def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: Kansas City def. New York
World Series: Kansas City (AL) def. Philadelphia (NL)

1978
NL East: Cincinnati (93-69), Pittsburgh (90-72), Philadelphia (86-76), Montreal (75-87), Atlanta (67-95), New York (67-95)
NL West: Los Angeles (95-68), San Francisco (94-69), San Diego (85-77), Chicago (81-81), Houston (76-86), St. Louis (64-98)
AL East: New York (101-61), Boston (99-63), Baltimore (93-69), Milwaukee (93-69), Detroit (89-73), Cleveland (69-93), Toronto (60-102)
AL West: Kansas City (93-69), Texas (86-76), California (85-77), Minnesota (74-88), Chicago (69-93), Oakland (66-96), Seattle (57-105)
Note: Los Angeles def. San Francisco in 1-game playoff for NL West
NLCS: Los Angeles def. Cincinnati -- ALCS: Kansas City def. New York
World Series: Los Angeles (NL) def. Kansas City (AL)

1979
NL East: Montreal (98-64), Pittsburgh (96-66), Cincinnati (93-69), Philadelphia (83-79), New York (64-98), Atlanta (63-99)
NL West: Houston (88-74), St. Louis (87-75), Chicago (84-78), Los Angeles (82-80), San Francisco (69-93), San Diego (65-97)
AL East: Baltimore (104-58), Milwaukee (95-67), Boston (92-70), New York (90-72), Detroit (86-76), Cleveland (81-81), Toronto (53-109)
AL West: California (88-74), Kansas City (85-77), Texas (83-79), Minnesota (82-80), Chicago (74-88), Seattle (67-95), Oakland (54-108)
NLCS: Houston def. Montreal -- ALCS: Baltimore def. California
World Series: Baltimore (AL) def. Houston (NL)

1980
NL East: Montreal (91-71), Philadelphia (90-72), Cincinnati (88-74), Atlanta (80-82), Pittsburgh (80-82), New York (67-95)
NL West: Los Angeles (96-67), Houston (95-68), San Diego (78-84), San Francisco (77-85), St. Louis (71-91), Chicago (60-102)
AL East: New York (103-59), Baltimore (100-62), Milwaukee (86-76), Boston (84-78), Detroit (84-78), Cleveland (80-82), Toronto (67-95)
AL West: Kansas City (97-65), Oakland (83-79), Minnesota (78-84), Texas (76-86), Chicago (71-91), California (66-96), Seattle (59-103)
Note: Los Angeles def. Houston in 1-game playoff for NL West
NLCS: Los Angeles def. Montreal -- ALCS: Kansas City def. New York
World Series: Kansas City (AL) def. Los Angeles (NL)

[DJC]

1981-1990: Rampant Commercialization

1981
NL East: Cincinnati (98-64), Montreal (90-72), Philadelphia (86-76), Atlanta (75-87), Pittsburgh (73-89), New York (60-102)
NL West: St. Louis (97-65), Los Angeles (96-66), Houston (90-72), San Francisco (81-81), Chicago (63-99), San Diego (63-99)
AL East: Baltimore (95-67), Boston (89-73), Milwaukee (89-73), Detroit (88-74), New York (87-75), Cleveland (82-80), Toronto (54-108)
AL West: Oakland (95-67), Texas (87-75), Chicago (85-77), Kansas City (76-86), California (74-88), Seattle (67-95), Minnesota (66-96)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Cincinnati -- ALCS: Baltimore def. Oakland
World Series: St. Louis (NL) def. Baltimore (AL)

1982
NL East: Philadelphia (91-71), Atlanta (89-73), Montreal (87-75), Pittsburgh (87-75), Cincinnati (63-99), New York (63-99)
NL West: St. Louis (90-72), Los Angeles (88-74), San Francisco (85-77), San Diego (81-81), Chicago (74-88), Houston (74-88)
AL East: Milwaukee (95-67), Baltimore (94-68), Boston (89-73), Detroit (83-79), New York (79-83), Cleveland (78-84), Toronto (78-84)
AL West: California (93-69), Kansas City (90-72), Chicago (87-75), Seattle (76-86), Oakland (68-94), Texas (64-98), Minnesota (60-102)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Philadelphia -- ALCS: Milwaukee def. California
World Series: Milwaukee (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

1983
NL East: Atlanta (91-71), Philadelphia (86-76), Pittsburgh (84-78), Montreal (81-81), Cincinnati (76-86), New York (67-95)
NL West: Los Angeles (91-71), Houston (84-78), San Diego (82-80), St. Louis (81-81), San Francisco (79-83), Chicago (70-92)
AL East: Baltimore (98-64), Detroit (92-70), New York (91-71), Toronto (89-73), Milwaukee (87-75), Boston (78-84), Cleveland (70-92)
AL West: Chicago (99-63), Kansas City (79-83), Texas (77-85), Oakland (74-88), California (70-92), Minnesota (70-92), Seattle (60-102)
NLCS: Los Angeles def. Atlanta -- ALCS: Baltimore def. Chicago
World Series: Baltimore (AL) def. Los Angeles (NL)

1984
NL East: New York (95-67), Atlanta (81-81), Philadelphia (81-81), Montreal (79-83), Pittsburgh (75-87), Cincinnati (70-92)
NL West: Chicago (98-64), San Diego (91-71), Houston (82-80), St. Louis (78-84), Los Angeles (76-86), San Francisco (66-96)
AL East: Detroit (104-58), Toronto (89-73), New York (87-75), Boston (86-76), Baltimore (85-77), Cleveland (75-87), Milwaukee (67-95)
AL West: Kansas City (84-78), California (81-81), Minnesota (81-81), Oakland (77-85), Chicago (74-88), Seattle (74-88), Texas (70-92)
NLCS: Chicago def. New York -- ALCS: Detroit def. Kansas City
World Series: Detroit (AL) def. Chicago (NL)

1985
NL East: New York (99-63), Cincinnati (92-70), Montreal (84-78), Philadelphia (73-89), Atlanta (66-96), Pittsburgh (58-104)
NL West: St. Louis (102-60), Los Angeles (95-67), Houston (85-77), San Diego (80-82), Chicago (77-85), San Francisco (61-101)
AL East: Toronto (100-62), New York (97-65), Detroit (85-77), Baltimore (83-79), Boston (81-81), Milwaukee (72-90), Cleveland (60-102)
AL West: Kansas City (91-71), California (90-72), Chicago (85-77), Minnesota (77-85), Oakland (77-85), Seattle (74-88), Texas (62-100)
NLCS: St. Louis def. New York -- ALCS: Kansas City def. Toronto
World Series: St. Louis (NL) def. Kansas City (AL)

1986
NL East: New York (108-54), Cincinnati (91-71), Philadelphia (88-74), Montreal (78-84), Atlanta (70-92), Pittsburgh (63-99)
NL West: Houston (95-67), San Francisco (81-81), St. Louis (78-84), Los Angeles (74-88), San Diego (74-88), Chicago (72-90)
AL East: Boston (96-66), New York (90-72), Detroit (87-75), Toronto (86-76), Cleveland (84-78), Milwaukee (77-85), Baltimore (73-89)
AL West: California (92-70), Texas (87-75), Kansas City (76-86), Oakland (76-86), Chicago (72-90), Minnesota (71-91), Seattle (67-95)
NLCS: New York def. Houston -- ALCS: California def. Boston
World Series: New York (NL) def. California (AL)

1987
NL East: Montreal (92-70), New York (90-72), Cincinnati (82-80), Philadelphia (80-82), Pittsburgh (79-83), Atlanta (73-89)
NL West: St. Louis (98-64), San Francisco (91-71), Chicago (80-82), Houston (75-87), Los Angeles (70-92), San Diego (62-100)
AL East: Detroit (98-64), Toronto (96-66), Milwaukee (91-71), New York (89-73), Boston (78-84), Baltimore (67-95), Cleveland (61-101)
AL West: Minnesota (85-77), Kansas City (83-79), Oakland (81-81), Seattle (78-84), Chicago (77-85), California (75-87), Texas (75-87)
NLCS: Montreal def. St. Louis -- ALCS: Detroit def. Minnesota
World Series: Detroit (AL) def. Montreal (NL)

1988
NL East: New York (101-61), Cincinnati (89-73), Pittsburgh (83-79), Montreal (82-80), Philadelphia (64-98), Atlanta (57-105)
NL West: Los Angeles (93-69), San Francisco (85-77), San Diego (83-79), Houston (80-82), Chicago (78-84), St. Louis (77-85)
AL East: Boston (89-73), Detroit (88-74), Milwaukee (87-75), Toronto (87-75), New York (85-77), Cleveland (78-84), Baltimore (54-108)
AL West: Oakland (104-58), Minnesota (91-71), Kansas City (85-77), California (75-87), Chicago (72-90), Texas (71-91), Seattle (68-94)
NLCS: New York def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: Oakland def. Boston
World Series: Oakland (AL) def. New York (NL)

1989
NL East: New York (90-72), Montreal (83-79), Pittsburgh (74-88), Cincinnati (73-89), Philadelphia (68-94), Atlanta (64-98)
NL West: Chicago (93-69), San Francisco (92-70), Houston (88-74), St. Louis (87-75), San Diego (85-77), Los Angeles (75-87)
AL East: Toronto (89-73), Baltimore (87-75), Boston (83-79), Milwaukee (81-81), New York (75-87), Cleveland (73-89), Detroit (59-103)
AL West: Oakland (99-63), Kansas City (92-70), California (91-71), Texas (83-79), Minnesota (80-82), Seattle (73-89), Chicago (69-93)
NLCS: Chicago def. New York -- ALCS: Oakland def. Toronto
World Series: Oakland (AL) def. Chicago (NL)

1990
NL East: Pittsburgh (95-68), Cincinnati (94-69), New York (91-71), Montreal (83-79), Philadelphia (78-84), Atlanta (65-97)
NL West: Los Angeles (88-74), San Francisco (84-78), Chicago (77-85), Houston (75-87), San Diego (72-90), St. Louis (71-91)
AL East: Boston (88-74), Toronto (86-76), Detroit (79-83), Baltimore (77-85), Cleveland (77-85), Milwaukee (74-88), New York (67-95)
AL West: Oakland (103-59), Chicago (94-68), Texas (83-79), California (80-82), Seattle (77-85), Kansas City (75-87), Minnesota (74-88)
Note: Pittsburgh def. Cincinnati in 1-game playoff for NL East
NLCS: Pittsburgh def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: Oakland def. Boston
World Series: Oakland (AL) def. Pittsburgh (NL)

[DJC]

1991-2000: Steroids and Realignment

1991
NL East: Pittsburgh (96-66), Atlanta (95-67), New York (78-84), Philadelphia (78-84), Cincinnati (74-88), Montreal (74-88)
NL West: Los Angeles (93-69), San Diego (88-74), St. Louis (82-80), Chicago (77-85), San Francisco (74-88), Houston (63-99)
AL East: Toronto (91-71), Boston (84-78), Detroit (84-78), Milwaukee (83-79), New York (71-91), Baltimore (67-95), Cleveland (57-105)
AL West: Minnesota (95-67), Chicago (87-75), Texas (85-77), Oakland (84-78), Seattle (83-79), Kansas City (82-80), California (81-81)
NLCS: Los Angeles def. Pittsburgh -- ALCS: Toronto def. Minnesota
World Series: Los Angeles (NL) def. Toronto (AL)

1992
NL East: Atlanta (95-67), Pittsburgh (93-69), Cincinnati (89-73), Montreal (89-73), New York (70-92), Philadelphia (70-92)
NL West: St. Louis (87-75), San Diego (84-78), Chicago (80-82), Houston (80-82), San Francisco (71-91), Los Angeles (64-98)
AL East: Toronto (96-66), Milwaukee (92-70), Baltimore (89-73), Cleveland (76-86), New York (76-86), Detroit (75-87), Boston (73-89)
AL West: Oakland (96-66), Minnesota (90-72), Chicago (86-76), Texas (77-85), California (72-90), Kansas City (72-90), Seattle (64-98)
NLCS: St. Louis def. Atlanta -- ALCS: Oakland def. Toronto
World Series: Oakland (AL) def. St. Louis (NL)

1993
NL East: Atlanta (104-58), Philadelphia (97-65), Montreal (93-69), Cincinnati (74-88), Pittsburgh (74-88), Florida (63-99), New York (59-103)
NL West: San Francisco (103-59), Houston (86-76), St. Louis (86-76), Chicago (85-77), Los Angeles (81-81), Colorado (67-95), San Diego (62-100)
AL East: Toronto (95-67), New York (88-74), Baltimore (85-77), Detroit (85-77), Boston (80-82), Cleveland (76-86), Milwaukee (69-93)
AL West: Chicago (94-68), Texas (86-76), Kansas City (84-78), Seattle (82-80), California (71-91), Minnesota (71-91), Oakland (68-94)
NLCS: Atlanta def. San Francisco -- ALCS: Toronto def. Chicago
World Series: Atlanta (NL) def. Toronto (AL)

1994
NL East: Atlanta (101-61), Montreal (99-63), Cincinnati (94-68), New York (81-81), Philadelphia (77-85), Pittsburgh (77-85), Florida (71-91)
NL West: Houston (91-71), Los Angeles (81-81), St. Louis (77-85), San Francisco (76-86), Colorado (75-87), Chicago (68-94), San Diego (66-96)
AL East: New York (97-65), Cleveland (96-66), Baltimore (91-71), Detroit (77-85), Milwaukee (77-85), Toronto (77-85), Boston (74-88)
AL West: Chicago (95-67), Kansas City (89-73), Minnesota (79-83), Texas (75-87), Oakland (72-90), Seattle (71-91), California (64-98)
NLCS: Houston def. Atlanta -- ALCS: Chicago def. New York
World Series: Chicago (AL) def. Houston (NL)

1995
NL East: Atlanta (104-58), Cincinnati (94-68), Florida (79-83), New York (77-85), Philadelphia (76-86), Montreal (74-88), Pittsburgh (66-96)
NL West: Colorado (89-73), Houston (87-75), Los Angeles (85-77), Chicago (82-80), San Diego (78-84), San Francisco (73-89), St. Louis (70-92)
AL East: Cleveland (111-51), Boston (96-66), New York (90-72), Baltimore (83-79), Milwaukee (72-90), Detroit (67-95), Toronto (66-96)
AL West: California (93-69), Seattle (84-78), Texas (81-81), Kansas City (80-82), Chicago (76-86), Oakland (73-89), Minnesota (62-100)
NLCS: Atlanta def. Colorado -- ALCS: California def. Cleveland
World Series: Atlanta (NL) def. California (AL)

1996
NL East: Atlanta (96-66), Montreal (88-74), Florida (80-82), Cincinnati (78-84), Pittsburgh (73-89), New York (72-90), Philadelphia (68-94)
NL West: San Diego (90-72), Los Angeles (89-73), St. Louis (87-75), Colorado (85-77), Houston (83-79), Chicago (77-85), San Francisco (68-94)
AL East: Cleveland (99-63), New York (93-69), Baltimore (88-74), Boston (84-78), Milwaukee (78-84), Toronto (74-88), Detroit (53-109)
AL West: Texas (88-74), Chicago (86-76), Seattle (86-76), Oakland (80-82), Minnesota (79-83), Kansas City (77-85), California (69-93)
NLCS: Atlanta def. San Diego -- ALCS: Texas def. Cleveland
World Series: Atlanta (NL) def. Texas (AL)

1997
NL East: Atlanta (104-58), New York (89-73), Florida (87-75), Pittsburgh (79-83), Montreal (73-89), Cincinnati (72-90), Philadelphia (70-92)
NL West: San Francisco (89-73), Houston (88-74), Los Angeles (88-74), Colorado (83-79), San Diego (77-85), St. Louis (71-91), Chicago (64-98)
AL East: New York (102-60), Baltimore (101-61), Cleveland (85-77), Toronto (80-82), Detroit (79-83), Boston (78-84), Milwaukee (77-85)
AL West: Seattle (93-69), Anaheim (90-72), Chicago (80-82), Texas (73-89), Kansas City (67-95), Minnesota (66-96), Oakland (63-99)
NLCS: Atlanta def. San Francisco -- ALCS: Seattle def. New York
World Series: Atlanta (NL) def. Seattle (AL)

1998
NL North: New York (84-78), Philadelphia (83-79), Pittsburgh (70-92), Montreal (69-93)
NL East: Atlanta (109-53), Cincinnati (84-78), Tampa Bay (63-99), Florida (53-109)
NL Central: Houston (93-69), Chicago (91-71), St. Louis (89-73), Colorado (74-88)
NL West: San Diego (103-59), San Francisco (87-75), Los Angeles (82-80), Arizona (62-100)
AL North: Cleveland (93-69), Toronto (88-74), Milwaukee (77-85), Detroit (63-99)
AL East: New York (115-47), Boston (93-69), Baltimore (83-79), Washington (58-104)
AL Central: Texas (91-71), Chicago (85-77), Minnesota (73-89), Kansas City (67-95)
AL West: Anaheim (88-74), Seattle (79-83), Oakland (79-83), Portland (64-98)
NLDS: Houston def. San Diego, Atlanta def. New York -- NLCS: Houston def. Atlanta
ALDS: Texas def. Cleveland, Anaheim def. New York -- ALCS: Texas def. Anaheim
World Series: Houston (NL) def. Texas (AL)

1999
NL North: New York (96-66), Pittsburgh (84-78), Philadelphia (74-88), Montreal (69-93)
NL East: Atlanta (109-53), Cincinnati (97-65), Tampa Bay (68-94), Florida (56-106)
NL Central: Houston (97-65), St. Louis (78-84), Colorado (69-93), Chicago (67-95)
NL West: Arizona (108-54), San Francisco (81-81), Los Angeles (73-89), San Diego (70-92)
AL North: Cleveland (100-62), Toronto (90-72), Milwaukee (76-86), Detroit (65-97)
AL East: Boston (107-55), New York (100-62), Baltimore (77-85), Washington (66-96)
AL Central: Texas (101-61), Chicago (79-83), Kansas City (69-93), Minnesota (56-106)
AL West: Oakland (82-81), Seattle (81-82), Anaheim (78-84), Portland (70-92)
Note: Oakland def. Seattle in 1-game playoff for AL West
NLDS: Atlanta def. New York, Arizona def. Houston -- NLCS: Atlanta def. Arizona
ALDS: Texas def. Cleveland, Oakland def. Boston -- ALCS: Texas def. Oakland
World Series: Atlanta (NL) def. Texas (AL)

2000
NL North: New York (99-63), Pittsburgh (74-88), Philadelphia (66-96), Montreal (63-99)
NL East: Cincinnati (89-73), Atlanta (88-74), Florida (85-77), Tampa Bay (68-94)
NL Central: St. Louis (96-66), Colorado (88-74), Houston (73-89), Chicago (63-99)
NL West: San Francisco (93-69), Los Angeles (90-72), Arizona (89-73), San Diego (72-90)
AL North: Cleveland (89-73), Toronto (87-75), Detroit (78-84), Milwaukee (72-90)
AL East: New York (91-71), Boston (90-72), Baltimore (73-89), Washington (68-94)
AL Central: Chicago (91-71), Kansas City (81-81), Minnesota (74-88), Texas (73-89)
AL West: Oakland (94-68), Seattle (89-73), Anaheim (79-83), Portland (67-95)
NLDS: San Francisco def. St. Louis, Cincinnati def. New York -- NLCS: San Francisco def. Cincinnati
ALDS: Chicago def. New York, Cleveland def. Oakland -- ALCS: Chicago def. Cleveland
World Series: San Francisco (NL) def. Chicago (AL)

[DJC]

2001-present: A New Millennium of Baseball

2001
NL North: Philadelphia (93-69), New York (82-80), Montreal (77-85), Pittsburgh (48-114)
NL East: Atlanta (91-71), Cincinnati (76-86), Florida (72-90), Tampa Bay (63-99)
NL Central: Houston (93-69), St. Louis (89-73), Chicago (85-77), Colorado (79-83)
NL West: Arizona (94-68), San Francisco (90-72), Los Angeles (86-76), San Diego (78-84)
AL North: Toronto (93-70), Cleveland (92-71), Milwaukee (70-92), Detroit (63-99)
AL East: New York (99-63), Boston (78-84), Washington (75-87), Baltimore (63-99)
AL Central: Minnesota (89-73), Chicago (81-81), Texas (73-89), Kansas City (62-100)
AL West: Seattle (116-46), Oakland (101-61), Anaheim (72-90), Portland (70-92)
Note: Toronto def. Cleveland in 1-game playoff for AL North
NLDS: Houston def. Philadelphia, Arizona def. Atlanta -- NLCS: Houston def. Arizona
ALDS: Seattle def. Minnesota, New York def. Toronto -- ALCS: Seattle def. New York
World Series: Seattle (AL) def. Houston (NL)

2002
NL North: Montreal (85-78), Pittsburgh (84-79), Philadelphia (76-86), New York (67-95)
NL East: Atlanta (100-62), Cincinnati (83-79), Florida (75-87), Tampa Bay (50-112)
NL Central: St. Louis (98-64), Houston (82-80), Colorado (74-88), Chicago (71-91)
NL West: San Francisco (99-63), Arizona (97-65), Los Angeles (89-73), San Diego (67-95)
AL North: Toronto (88-74), Cleveland (82-80), Milwaukee (57-105), Detroit (54-108)
AL East: New York (108-54), Boston (93-69), Washington (76-86), Baltimore (67-95)
AL Central: Minnesota (94-68), Chicago (84-78), Texas (70-92), Kansas City (64-98)
AL West: Oakland (96-66), Seattle (95-67), Anaheim (94-68), Portland (74-88)
Note: Montreal def. Pittsburgh in 1-game playoff for NL North
NLDS: Atlanta def. Montreal, St. Louis def. San Francisco -- NLCS: Atlanta def. St. Louis
ALDS: New York def. Toronto, Oakland def. Minnesota -- ALCS: New York def. Oakland
World Series: New York (AL) def. Atlanta (NL)

2003
NL North: Philadelphia (90-72), Montreal (85-77), Pittsburgh (79-83), New York (73-89)
NL East: Atlanta (103-59), Florida (87-75), Cincinnati (70-92), Tampa Bay (61-101)
NL Central: Chicago (86-77), Houston (85-78), St. Louis (78-84), Colorado (71-91)
NL West: San Francisco (101-61), Los Angeles (81-81), Arizona (80-82), San Diego (67-95)
AL North: Toronto (100-62), Milwaukee (76-86), Cleveland (72-90), Detroit (42-120)
AL East: New York (100-62), Boston (94-68), Baltimore (75-87), Washington (71-91)
AL Central: Chicago (87-75), Minnesota (86-76), Kansas City (84-78), Texas (75-87)
AL West: Seattle (95-67), Oakland (94-68), Anaheim (74-88), Portland (71-91)
Note: Chicago def. Houston in 1-game playoff for NL Central
NLDS: San Francisco def. Philadelphia, Atlanta def. Chicago -- NLCS: San Francisco def. Atlanta
ALDS: Chicago def. New York, Toronto def. Seattle -- ALCS: Chicago def. Toronto
World Series: San Francisco (NL) def. Chicago (AL)

2004
NL North: Philadelphia (89-73), Pittsburgh (81-81), Montreal (76-86), New York (69-93)
NL East: Atlanta (93-69), Cincinnati (88-74), Florida (77-85), Tampa Bay (67-95)
NL Central: St. Louis (105-57), Houston (90-72), Chicago (89-73), Colorado (51-111)
NL West: Los Angeles (96-66), San Diego (89-73), San Francisco (87-75), Arizona (49-113)
AL North: Cleveland (85-77), Detroit (77-85), Milwaukee (71-91), Toronto (65-97)
AL East: New York (99-63), Boston (95-67), Baltimore (83-79), Washington (73-89)
AL Central: Minnesota (94-68), Chicago (86-76), Texas (80-82), Kansas City (57-105)
AL West: Anaheim (97-65), Oakland (91-71), Portland (76-86), Seattle (67-95)
NLDS: Atlanta def. Los Angeles, Philadelphia def. St. Louis -- NLCS: Atlanta def. Philadelphia
ALDS: Anaheim def. Minnesota, New York def. Cleveland -- ALCS: Anaheim def. New York
World Series: Anaheim (AL) def. Atlanta (NL)

2005
NL North: Philadelphia (92-70), New York (89-73), Montreal (82-80), Pittsburgh (65-97)
NL East: Atlanta (95-67), Florida (88-74), Cincinnati (74-88), Tampa Bay (64-98)
NL Central: St. Louis (95-67), Houston (90-72), Chicago (83-79), Colorado (66-96)
NL West: San Diego (85-77), Arizona (79-83), San Francisco (77-85), Los Angeles (72-90)
AL North: Cleveland (94-68), Milwaukee (83-79), Toronto (76-86), Detroit (67-95)
AL East: New York (99-63), Boston (92-70), Washington (77-85), Baltimore (70-92)
AL Central: Texas (92-70), Chicago (91-71), Minnesota (79-83), Kansas City (51-111)
AL West: Los Angeles (93-69), Oakland (92-70), Portland (75-87), Seattle (65-97)
NLDS: Philadelphia def. Atlanta, San Diego def. St. Louis -- NLCS: Philadelphia def. San Diego
ALDS: Los Angeles def. Cleveland, New York def. Texas -- ALCS: Los Angeles def. New York
World Series: Philadelphia (NL) def. Los Angeles (AL)

2006
NL North: New York (104-58), Philadelphia (91-71), Montreal (73-89), Pittsburgh (70-92)
NL East: Atlanta (87-75), Cincinnati (85-77), Florida (73-89), Tampa Bay (59-103)
NL Central: St. Louis (91-71), Houston (79-83), Colorado (78-84), Chicago (65-97)
NL West: San Diego (95-67), Los Angeles (89-73), San Francisco (79-83), Arizona (78-84)
AL North: Detroit (89-73), Toronto (82-80), Cleveland (79-83), Milwaukee (75-87)
AL East: New York (96-66), Washington (80-82), Boston (79-83), Baltimore (62-100)
AL Central: Minnesota (88-74), Chicago (84-78), Texas (82-80), Kansas City (62-100)
AL West: Oakland (97-65), Los Angeles (93-69), Portland (78-84), Seattle (70-92)
NLDS: New York def. Atlanta, San Diego def. St. Louis -- NLCS: New York def. San Diego
ALDS: New York def. Detroit, Minnesota def. Oakland -- ALCS: New York def. Minnesota
World Series: New York (NL) def. New York (AL)

2007
NL North: Philadelphia (93-69), New York (91-71), Montreal (70-92), Pittsburgh (69-93)
NL East: Atlanta (84-78), Cincinnati (83-79), Florida (73-89), Tampa Bay (67-95)
NL Central: Chicago (86-76), Houston (79-83), Colorado (78-84), St. Louis (77-85)
NL West: Arizona (95-67), San Diego (91-71), Los Angeles (88-74), San Francisco (72-90)
AL North: Cleveland (95-67), Detroit (83-79), Milwaukee (81-81), Toronto (79-83)
AL East: New York (97-65), Boston (94-68), Washington (79-83), Baltimore (65-97)
AL Central: Minnesota (86-76), Chicago (72-90), Texas (72-90), Kansas City (67-95)
AL West: Seattle (87-75), Los Angeles (86-76), Portland (79-83), Oakland (74-88)
NLDS: Arizona def. Atlanta, Philadelphia def. Chicago -- NLCS: Arizona def. Philadelphia
ALDS: New York def. Minnesota, Cleveland def. Seattle -- ALCS: New York def. Cleveland
World Series: New York (AL) def. Arizona (NL)

2008
NL North: Philadelphia (98-64), New York (90-72), Pittsburgh (68-94), Montreal (57-105)
NL East: Tampa Bay (96-66), Cincinnati (77-85), Florida (76-86), Atlanta (73-89)
NL Central: Chicago (102-60), St. Louis (92-70), Houston (87-75), Colorado (70-92)
NL West: Los Angeles (84-78), Arizona (81-81), San Francisco (78-84), San Diego (67-95)
AL North: Milwaukee (90-72), Cleveland (88-74), Toronto (86-76), Detroit (67-95)
AL East: Boston (100-62), New York (87-75), Washington (82-80), Baltimore (69-93)
AL Central: Chicago (84-79), Texas (83-80), Minnesota (80-82), Kansas City (61-101)
AL West: Los Angeles (103-59), Portland (85-77), Oakland (77-85), Seattle (55-107)
Note: Chicago def. Texas in 1-game playoff for AL Central
NLDS: Philadelphia def. Tampa Bay, Chicago def. Los Angeles -- NLCS: Philadelphia def. Chicago
ALDS: Boston def. Milwaukee, Chicago def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: Boston def. Chicago
World Series: Boston (AL) def. Philadelphia (NL)

2009
NL North: Philadelphia (106-56), New York (75-87), Pittsburgh (66-96), Montreal (60-102)
NL East: Tampa Bay (84-78), Florida (83-79), Atlanta (80-82), Cincinnati (76-86)
NL Central: Colorado (93-69), St. Louis (84-78), Houston (81-81), Chicago (78-84)
NL West: Los Angeles (95-67), San Francisco (88-74), San Diego (77-85), Arizona (70-92)
AL North: Toronto (87-75), Detroit (81-81), Milwaukee (81-81), Cleveland (65-97)
AL East: New York (105-57), Boston (99-63), Washington (81-81), Baltimore (54-108)
AL Central: Texas (87-75), Minnesota (83-79), Chicago (69-93), Kansas City (68-94)
AL West: Los Angeles (95-67), Seattle (82-80), Portland (80-82), Oakland (79-83)
NLDS: Los Angeles def. Colorado, Philadelphia def. Tampa Bay -- NLCS: Los Angeles def. Philadelphia
ALDS: New York def. Texas, Toronto def. Los Angeles -- ALCS: New York def. Toronto
World Series: New York (AL) def. Los Angeles (NL)

[DJC]

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks. Questions, comments, and constructive criticism are encouraged and more than welcome.

[STLCards2]

Looks like you worked very hard! Interesting stuff, thanks!

This simulation has the Cardinals 7-10 in W.S. I like the real-life and reversed version a little better!

I also like the 90's Braves 5-1 W.S. record compared to the 1-4 in reality!

[DJC]

True, the Cardinals didn't fare as well in the alternate timeline. Other teams did have it worse, though. As a Pirate aficionado, I was disappointed when I discovered that the alternate Pirates have gone the longest by far of any team without a World Series win -- not since 1925. Even the Cubs did better, winning last in 1945. Admittedly, however, with a record-breaking 17th consecutive losing season well underway in reality, Pittsburgh fans these days are used to disappointment.

And yes, the alternate Braves were more successful in the 90's, as their frequent postseason chokes in our timeline were avoided by their superior statistical chance of winning. But to be honest, Atlanta's success does not thrill me so much (see 1992 NLCS Game 7).

[DJC]

*Shameless bump*

I updated this thread to include 2009, if anyone's interested. Turns out the Yankees beat the Dodgers in the alternate World Series. Still could happen in this reality.