This quiz concerns league champion teams with an unusual formula for success. Since 1901, these are the only championship teams with a particular characteristic. What is it?
| Rk ▴ | Year | Lg | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012 | AL | Detroit Tigers |
| 2 | 2008 | AL | Tampa Bay Rays |
| 3 | 2003 | NL | Florida Marlins |
| 4 | 1995 | NL | Atlanta Braves |
| 5 | 1985 | AL | Kansas City Royals |
| 6 | 1984 | NL | San Diego Padres |
| 7 | 1972 | NL | Cincinnati Reds |
| 8 | 1971 | NL | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| 9 | 1906 | AL | Chicago White Sox |
Congratulations to RJ! He correctly identified these teams as the only pennant winners with every game started by a pitcher in his age 29 season or younger. More after the jump.
In all there have been only 86 teams since 1901 to have all of their games started by pitchers under 30. So, 9 out of 86 winning the pennant is a pretty good success rate. These are the teams to do this most often.
- 8 – Senators/Twins
- 7 – Expos/Nationals
- 5 – Pirates, Blue Jays
- 4 – Browns/Orioles, Rays, Reds, Royals, White Sox
- 3 – Astros, Athletics, Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Giants, Marlins, Yankees
The Expos (1971-74) and Rays (2008-11) did this in four consecutive seasons, and the old Senators (1956-58) in three straight. But, the Mariners and Phillies have never done this, nor have the Rangers since moving to Texas.
As for the corollary, no team since 1901 has had all of their games started by pitchers in their age 30 season or older. The closest was the 1990 AL champion Athletics who had 159 of 162 games started by the 30 and over crowd.
They were last in the majors or at the very least, their league in homers?
No, that’s not it. Only the 1906 White Sox did that.
The Pirates had the most homers in the NL in 1971, and the Braves had the second-most in 1995.
Were the 2012 champion Giants not also last in the majors in homers?
Oh I see, you mean of the teams in the list. My apologies.
I think I have it: starting pitching staff all under the age of 30?
It could possibly be something like greatest number of pitchers, under the age of 30, with 10 or more wins for a pennant-winning team.
Or maybe something like they are the only pennant-winners with 70+ combined wins from pitchers under the age of 30.
The 2001 Oakland A’s got 69 wins just from their top 4 starters plus 13 more from relievers or swingmen, all under age 30. Only 4 of them won more than 10 games however and they did have 18 starts by someone over age 30 so those are still possibilities.
RJ has it.
These are the only pennant winners with all of their games started by pitchers in their age 29 season or younger.