WWTBAM Bored

In 1973, the New York Mets were the only team in the National League East to finish with a winning record, winning the division (by a game and a half over St. Louis, if memory serves) with a record of 82-79. This year, unless Miami finishes with an 8-game winning streak, the division champion will be the only team in the division to finish at or above .500. I don't think that's ever happened before but I'm too lazy to check all the division standings since 1969. Does anyone know whether I'm right (or feel like doing the work I'm too lazy to do)? --Bob

In 2014, the Washington Nationals were the only team to finish above .500 in the National League East. The Nationals were 96-66; the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets were tied for second at 79-83.

In 2011, the Detroit Tigers won the A.L. Central with a 95-67 record. The Cleveland Indians were second at 80-82.

Famously, in 1994, when the players went on strike, the Texas Rangers led the A.L. West despite being ten games under .500 at 52-62. They would have had a lot of work to do to get to .500 if the remaining 48 games had been played.

With three divisions, this sort of thing happens or comes close to happening with some frequency. In fact, the 1973 Mets scenario was essentially repeated in the 2006 N.L. Central. The Cardinals won the division at 83-78 by a game-and-a-half over the 82-80 Astros.

Jet wrote:In 2014, the Washington Nationals were the only team to finish above .500 in the National League East. The Nationals were 96-66; the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets were tied for second at 79-83.

In 2011, the Detroit Tigers won the A.L. Central with a 95-67 record. The Cleveland Indians were second at 80-82.

Famously, in 1994, when the players went on strike, the Texas Rangers led the A.L. West despite being ten games under .500 at 52-62. They would have had a lot of work to do to get to .500 if the remaining 48 games had been played.

With three divisions, this sort of thing happens or comes close to happening with some frequency. In fact, the 1973 Mets scenario was essentially repeated in the 2006 N.L. Central. The Cardinals won the division at 83-78 by a game-and-a-half over the 82-80 Astros.

Nice first post!

Jet wrote:In 2014, the Washington Nationals were the only team to finish above .500 in the National League East. The Nationals were 96-66; the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets were tied for second at 79-83.

In 2011, the Detroit Tigers won the A.L. Central with a 95-67 record. The Cleveland Indians were second at 80-82.

Famously, in 1994, when the players went on strike, the Texas Rangers led the A.L. West despite being ten games under .500 at 52-62. They would have had a lot of work to do to get to .500 if the remaining 48 games had been played.

With three divisions, this sort of thing happens or comes close to happening with some frequency. In fact, the 1973 Mets scenario was essentially repeated in the 2006 N.L. Central. The Cardinals won the division at 83-78 by a game-and-a-half over the 82-80 Astros.

Thanks for the thorough response, and welcome aBored! --Bob