The History of Major League Baseball in Two Minutes
By Kyle Koster | Feb 15, 2021, 4:45 PM EST
If there's one thing everyone says about me is that I love data. More specifically, data compiled and analyzed by smarter minds than my own that I can point a finger at and say, hey, that's pretty cool. If there's another thing I value, it's brevity. So there's no surprise that this graphic, put together by @BetweenTheNums scratches right where it itches.
It charts the cumulative win percentage for all active Major League Baseball clubs through the years.
With pitchers and catchers reporting THIS WEEK, here is an interactive timeline of cumulative W% among all active MLB teams.
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) February 15, 2021
Check out and see how teams go through stretches of great or bad seasons in different eras of baseball! #MLB #dataviz ⚾️? pic.twitter.com/xNXOHVgdQd
There are a few very predictable observations. The New York Yankees have won a lot. The San Diego Padres have not. But the most interesting thing may be just how long the Chicago Cubs, a franchise known for losing, was a perennial winner. And as a fan of the Detroit Tigers who hasn't had much to take pride in, there's the ability to crow about the above-average success through the years.
That and a dollar will get you a small pack of Combos, but still. Something positive about something on the Internet. Take it when you can.