The Value Production Standings: 1976-1980
Our prior installments have examined the production of farm systems in the periods of 1946-1950, 1951-1955, 1956-1960, 1961-1965, 1966-1970 and 1971-1975. This time we’ll explore what was going on during the Carter administration—and hope we won’t succumb to a crisis of confidence.
For a review of our methodology, please see the References and Resources section below.
Here’s the key to the figures we’re examining:
WSP = Win Shares Produced: the total of major league Win Shares produced that season by all players credited to the organization
Lg. WSP = League Win Shares Produced: the percentage of the league total of WSP credited to the organization
MLB WSP = Major League Baseball Win Shares Produced: the percentage of the MLB-wide total of WSP credited to the organization
W = Wins: the actual win total of the team that season
Lg. W = League Wins: the percentage of the league win total won by the team
W% – WSP% = League Wins minus League Win Shares Produced: a measure of how much better or worse a team actually performed than the league-wide value produced by its organization
And this time we’ve added a couple of new ones, to help assess comparative production in the post-1976 environment of unequally sized divisions and leagues:
Avg WSP = Average Win Shares Produced: the average WSP of the teams in a given division or league
%MLB Avg = Percentage of the Major League Baseball Average: how the Average WSP for a given division or league compares with the overall major league average
The 1976 Value Production Standings
AL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Red Sox 290 11.5% 5.1% 83 8.6% -2.9% Orioles 244 9.6% 4.3% 88 9.1% -0.5% Indians 213 8.4% 3.7% 81 8.4% 0.0% Tigers 200 7.9% 3.5% 74 7.7% -0.3% Yankees 166 6.6% 2.9% 97 10.0% 3.5% Brewers 112 4.4% 2.0% 66 6.8% 2.4% East Division 1225 48.4% 21.5% 489 50.6% 2.1% 204 85.9% Athletics 350 13.8% 6.1% 87 9.0% -4.8% Angels 241 9.5% 4.2% 76 7.9% -1.7% Rangers 231 9.1% 4.1% 76 7.9% -1.3% Twins 228 9.0% 4.0% 85 8.8% -0.2% White Sox 133 5.3% 2.3% 64 6.6% 1.4% Royals 121 4.8% 2.1% 90 9.3% 4.5% West Division 1304 51.6% 22.9% 478 49.4% -2.1% 217 91.5% AL Total 2529 100.0% 44.3% 967 100.0% 0.0% 211 88.7% NL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Pirates 346 10.9% 6.1% 92 9.5% -1.4% Cardinals 313 9.9% 5.5% 72 7.4% -2.5% Mets 300 9.5% 5.3% 86 8.8% -0.6% Phillies 286 9.0% 5.0% 101 10.4% 1.4% Cubs 198 6.2% 3.5% 75 7.7% 1.5% Expos 79 2.5% 1.4% 55 5.7% 3.2% East Division 1522 48.0% 26.7% 481 49.5% 1.5% 254 106.8% Giants 361 11.4% 6.3% 74 7.6% -3.8% Dodgers 358 11.3% 6.3% 92 9.5% -1.8% Reds 313 9.9% 5.5% 102 10.5% 0.6% Astros 300 9.5% 5.3% 80 8.2% -1.2% Braves 242 7.6% 4.2% 70 7.2% -0.4% Padres 78 2.5% 1.4% 73 7.5% 5.1% West Division 1652 52.0% 29.0% 491 50.5% -1.5% 275 115.9% NL Total 3174 100.0% 55.7% 972 100.0% 0.0% 265 111.3% MLB Total 5703 n/a 100% 1939 n/a n/a 238 100.0%
The Royals had more initial success than any other expansion team, primarily due to an amazing sequence of trades. But when they achieved their first division title in 1976, in their eighth season of existence, their roster was enriched with many fine products of their farm system: young superstar third baseman George Brett, pitchers Dennis Leonard, Mark Littell, Doug Bird and Paul Splittorff, outfielders Al Cowens and Tom Poquette and second baseman Frank White. They joined the cast of imported talent: center fielder Amos Otis, designated hitter Hal McRae, first baseman John Mayberry, shortstop Freddie Patek and pitchers Al Fitzmorris and Marty Pattin.
Kansas City lost an excruciatingly close ALCS to the Yankees, who captured their first pennant after an 11-year drought. These Bronx Bombers didn’t enjoy anything close to the farm production the franchise had featured in its 1950s and ‘60s dynasty; MVP catcher Thurman Munson and left fielder Roy White were their only key home-grown elements.
But the Yankees had pulled off a long series of shrewd trades, netting them third baseman Graig Nettles, first baseman Chris Chambliss, second baseman Willie Randolph, outfielders Mickey Rivers and Oscar Gamble and pitchers Ed Figueroa, Dock Ellis, Doyle Alexander, Sparky Lyle and Dick Tidrow. Plus, they’d signed ace pitcher Catfish Hunter as a free agent after his contract with the Athletics had been defaulted.
The Yankees were swept in the World Series by Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine, which was at its apex. The Reds had featured strong farm production for a long time, and their championship squad was an impressive balance of farm-bred talent in third baseman Pete Rose, catcher Johnny Bench, right fielder Ken Griffey, shortstop Dave Concepcion, first baseman Tony Perez and pitchers Rawly Eastwick, Gary Nolan, Pat Zachry and Don Gullett.
The home-grown players were augmented by trade acquisitions including MVP second baseman Joe Morgan, left fielder George Foster, center fielder Cesar Geronimo and pitchers Fred Norman and Pedro Borbon.
The 1977 Value Production Standings
AL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Orioles 331 11.8% 5.4% 97 8.6% -3.2% Red Sox 321 11.4% 5.2% 97 8.6% -2.8% Tigers 234 8.3% 3.8% 74 6.5% -1.8% Indians 188 6.7% 3.1% 71 6.3% -0.4% Yankees 150 5.3% 2.5% 100 8.8% 3.5% Brewers 130 4.6% 2.1% 67 5.9% 1.3% Blue Jays 0 0.0% 0.0% 54 4.8% 4.8% East Division 1354 48.1% 22.1% 560 49.5% 1.4% 193 82.2% Athletics 349 12.4% 5.7% 63 5.6% -6.8% Twins 305 10.8% 5.0% 84 7.4% -3.4% Rangers 253 9.0% 4.1% 94 8.3% -0.7% Angels 217 7.7% 3.5% 74 6.5% -1.2% Royals 202 7.2% 3.3% 102 9.0% 1.8% White Sox 136 4.8% 2.2% 90 8.0% 3.1% Mariners 0 0.0% 0.0% 64 5.7% 5.7% West Division 1462 51.9% 23.9% 571 50.5% -1.4% 209 88.7% AL Total 2816 100.0% 46.0% 1131 100.0% 0.0% 201 85.4% NL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Pirates 426 12.9% 7.0% 96 9.9% -3.0% Cardinals 352 10.7% 5.8% 83 8.5% -2.1% Phillies 325 9.8% 5.3% 101 10.4% 0.6% Mets 310 9.4% 5.1% 64 6.6% -2.8% Cubs 185 5.6% 3.0% 81 8.3% 2.7% Expos 151 4.6% 2.5% 75 7.7% 3.1% East Division 1749 52.9% 28.6% 500 51.4% -1.5% 292 123.8% Giants 368 11.1% 6.0% 75 7.7% -3.4% Dodgers 310 9.4% 5.1% 98 10.1% 0.7% Reds 294 8.9% 4.8% 88 9.1% 0.2% Astros 254 7.7% 4.1% 81 8.3% 0.6% Braves 235 7.1% 3.8% 61 6.3% -0.8% Padres 95 2.9% 1.6% 69 7.1% 4.2% West Division 1556 47.1% 25.4% 472 48.6% 1.5% 259 110.2% NL Total 3305 100.0% 54.0% 972 100.0% 0.0% 275 117.0% MLB Total 6121 n/a 100% 2103 n/a n/a 235 100.0%
When free agency arrived with the 1977 season, no team felt its impact more than the Athletics. Already they’d lost Catfish Hunter in 1975 to a contract snafu, and when the rest of their familiar stars got the choice of working for someone other than Charlie Finley, they jumped at it. The only one remaining was Vida Blue; alongside him a suddenly makeshift roster finished last, despite the A’s leading the league in value production.
The long list of Oakland farm products standing out elsewhere included Reggie Jackson (Yankees), George Hendrick, Gene Tenace and Rollie Fingers (Padres), Chet Lemon (White Sox), Phil Garner (Pirates), Sal Bando (Brewers), Bert Campaneris and Claudell Washington (Rangers), Manny Trillo (Cubs), Dan Ford (Twins) and Joe Rudi (Angels).
Another franchise with little to show for its excellent farm production was the last-in-the-NL-East Mets. They’d executed a multitude of ill-considered trades, and Met farm products included Ken Singleton (Orioles), Tom Seaver (Reds), Nolan Ryan (Angels), Amos Otis (Royals), Tug McGraw (Phillies), Jim Bibby (Indians) and Leroy Stanton (Mariners).
National League organizations continued to produce more talent than their American League counterparts, for the 27th consecutive season. Since divisional play began in 1969, the NL West had been the most productive of all. But in 1977, the NL East vaulted ahead.
The 1978 Value Production Standings
AL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Red Sox 338 11.8% 5.5% 99 8.8% -3.0% Orioles 304 10.6% 4.9% 90 8.0% -2.6% Tigers 270 9.4% 4.4% 86 7.6% -1.8% Indians 193 6.7% 3.1% 69 6.1% -0.6% Yankees 184 6.4% 3.0% 100 8.8% 2.4% Brewers 183 6.4% 3.0% 93 8.2% 1.8% Blue Jays 0 0.0% 0.0% 59 5.2% 5.2% East Division 1472 51.3% 23.9% 596 52.7% 1.4% 210 88.9% Athletics 330 11.5% 5.4% 69 6.1% -5.4% Rangers 277 9.7% 4.5% 87 7.7% -2.0% Twins 255 8.9% 4.1% 73 6.5% -2.4% Angels 203 7.1% 3.3% 87 7.7% 0.6% Royals 182 6.3% 3.0% 92 8.1% 1.8% White Sox 151 5.3% 2.5% 71 6.3% 1.0% Mariners 0 0.0% 0.0% 56 5.0% 5.0% West Division 1398 48.7% 22.7% 535 47.3% -1.4% 200 84.4% AL Total 2870 100.0% 46.7% 1131 100.0% 0.0% 205 86.7% NL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Pirates 459 14.0% 7.5% 88 9.1% -4.9% Phillies 339 10.3% 5.5% 90 9.3% -1.1% Cardinals 325 9.9% 5.3% 69 7.1% -2.8% Mets 224 6.8% 3.6% 66 6.8% 0.0% Cubs 190 5.8% 3.1% 79 8.1% 2.3% Expos 177 5.4% 2.9% 76 7.8% 2.4% East Division 1714 52.3% 27.9% 468 48.2% -4.1% 286 120.8% Giants 391 11.9% 6.4% 89 9.2% -2.8% Dodgers 326 9.9% 5.3% 95 9.8% -0.2% Reds 282 8.6% 4.6% 92 9.5% 0.9% Braves 211 6.4% 3.4% 69 7.1% 0.7% Astros 180 5.5% 2.9% 74 7.6% 2.1% Padres 175 5.3% 2.8% 84 8.7% 3.3% West Division 1565 47.7% 25.5% 503 51.8% 4.1% 261 110.3% NL Total 3279 100.0% 53.3% 971 100.0% 0.0% 273 115.5% MLB Total 6149 n/a 100% 2102 n/a n/a 237 100.0%
The Pirates’ total of 459 Win Shares Produced was among the highest of all time, the pinnacle of a decade of outstanding farm production. They’d been a consistent contender through the 1970s, and the 1978 roster was well-stocked with home-grown talent: MVP right fielder Dave Parker, veteran first baseman Willie Stargell, center fielder Omar Moreno, shortstop Frank Taveras, catcher Ed Ott and pitchers Kent Tekulve, John Candelaria and Don Robinson.
The team remained highly competitive despite having surrendered a rich bounty: infielders Willie Randolph (Yankees), Don Money (Brewers), Craig Reynolds (Mariners), Richie Hebner (Phillies), Art Howe (Astros), Freddie Patek (Royals) and Dave Cash (Expos), outfielders Al Oliver and Richie Zisk (Rangers) and Mitchell Page (Athletics) and pitchers Gene Garber (Phillies-Braves), Doug Bair (Reds) and Rick Langford (Athletics).
The biggest story of 1978 was the scintillating AL East race between the Yankees and Red Sox, culminating in the single-elimination playoff to be known forever in Red Sox Nation as the “Bucky F’ing Dent Game.” Both clubs were excellent, and remarkably evenly matched: The Yanks’ team OPS+ was 104, their team ERA+ 114; the Bosox’s team OPS+ was 104, and the team ERA+ 116.
But considering mode of construction, the clubs hardly could have presented a more stark contrast: The Yankees, primarily trade-built, had used the dawning free agent era to add two pearls in Reggie Jackson and Goose Gossage. One key addition from their quite weak farm system was Cy Young-winning ace Ron Guidry.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox had a powerhouse system, and the ’78 roster was bursting with home-grown talent: MVP cleanup hitter Jim Rice, catcher Carlton Fisk, outfielders Fred Lynn, Carl Yastrzemski and Dwight Evans, shortstop Rick Burleson and pitchers Bob Stanley and Bill Lee. Only two of their major cogs were trade acquisitions: ace pitcher Dennis Eckersley and second baseman Jerry Remy. Their lone free agent addition was Mr. Dent’s Oct. 2 seventh-inning victim, pitcher Mike Torrez.
The 1979 Value Production Standings
AL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Red Sox 308 10.6% 5.0% 91 8.1% -2.5% Orioles 296 10.2% 4.9% 102 9.0% -1.1% Tigers 247 8.5% 4.0% 85 7.5% -1.0% Brewers 239 8.2% 3.9% 95 8.4% 0.2% Indians 229 7.9% 3.8% 81 7.2% -0.7% Yankees 158 5.4% 2.6% 89 7.9% 2.5% Blue Jays 11 0.4% 0.2% 53 4.7% 4.3% East Division 1488 51.2% 24.4% 596 52.8% 1.6% 213 90.6% Athletics 334 11.5% 5.5% 54 4.8% -6.7% Angels 257 8.8% 4.2% 88 7.8% -1.0% Rangers 241 8.3% 4.0% 83 7.4% -0.9% Twins 208 7.2% 3.4% 82 7.3% 0.1% Royals 208 7.2% 3.4% 85 7.5% 0.4% White Sox 170 5.8% 2.8% 73 6.5% 0.6% Mariners 0 0.0% 0.0% 67 5.9% 5.9% West Division 1418 48.8% 23.2% 532 47.2% -1.6% 203 86.3% AL Total 2906 100.0% 47.6% 1128 100.0% 0.0% 208 88.5% NL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Pirates 383 12.0% 6.3% 98 10.1% -1.9% Phillies 330 10.3% 5.4% 84 8.7% -1.7% Cardinals 317 9.9% 5.2% 86 8.9% -1.0% Mets 265 8.3% 4.3% 63 6.5% -1.8% Expos 254 8.0% 4.2% 95 9.8% 1.9% Cubs 195 6.1% 3.2% 80 8.3% 2.2% East Division 1744 54.6% 28.6% 506 52.2% -2.4% 291 123.9% Giants 315 9.9% 5.2% 71 7.3% -2.5% Dodgers 305 9.5% 5.0% 79 8.2% -1.4% Reds 295 9.2% 4.8% 90 9.3% 0.1% Astros 232 7.3% 3.8% 89 9.2% 1.9% Braves 159 5.0% 2.6% 66 6.8% 1.8% Padres 144 4.5% 2.4% 68 7.0% 2.5% West Division 1450 45.4% 23.8% 463 47.8% 2.4% 242 103.0% NL Total 3194 100.0% 52.4% 969 100.0% 0.0% 266 113.4% MLB Total 6100 n/a 100% 2097 n/a n/a 235 100.0%
Of the four 1969-vintage expansion clubs, the Royals had been by far the quickest to achieve success. But by 1979, the Brewers and the Expos had stepped forward as strong contenders, and each had developed a more productive farm system than Kansas City’s.
The Brewers (as we discussed here) had made one really bad trade, in which they’d surrendered one of their finest products, catcher Darrell Porter, to the Royals. But the rest of their home-grown top talent was still in hand: outfielders Gorman Thomas and Sixto Lezcano, second baseman Paul Molitor, shortstop Robin Yount and pitchers Jim Slaton, Lary Sorensen and Billy Travers. Sharp trades had delivered first baseman Cecil Cooper, outfielder Ben Oglivie and pitcher Mike Caldwell.
The Expos (as we discussed here) hadn’t let any plums get away, and presented a lineup full of system-produced standouts: catcher Gary Carter, outfielders Andre Dawson, Ellis Valentine and Warren Cromartie, third baseman Larry Parrish and pitchers Steve Rogers, Dan Schatzeder, Scott Sanderson and David Palmer.
A very different story was coming from San Francisco. This venerable franchise led the NL West in WSP in 1979 for the ninth time in the 11 seasons of divisional play, and had led the NL for five straight seasons before that. Through all that time, the Giants’ only championship was a lone division flag, and in ’79 they managed just a 71-91 record.
Only two of the many exceptional talents their system had developed were still on the roster and performing well: right fielder Jack Clark and pitcher Gary Lavelle. Giants’ products playing elsewhere included outfielders George Foster (Reds), Gary Matthews (Braves), Dave Kingman (Cubs), Bobby Bonds (Indians) and Garry Maddox (Phillies), infielders Chris Speier (Expos) and Steve Ontiveros (Cubs) and pitchers Gaylord Perry (Padres), Elias Sosa (Expos), Steve Stone (Orioles) and Jim Barr (Angels).
The 1980 Value Production Standings
AL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Red Sox 312 10.4% 5.1% 83 7.4% -3.0% Tigers 267 8.9% 4.4% 84 7.4% -1.4% Orioles 250 8.3% 4.1% 100 8.9% 0.5% Indians 213 7.1% 3.5% 79 7.0% -0.1% Brewers 168 5.6% 2.8% 86 7.6% 2.0% Yankees 157 5.2% 2.6% 103 9.1% 3.9% Blue Jays 24 0.8% 0.4% 67 5.9% 5.1% East Division 1391 46.2% 22.8% 602 53.3% 7.1% 199 84.7% Athletics 418 13.9% 6.9% 83 7.4% -6.5% Rangers 278 9.2% 4.6% 76 6.7% -2.5% Royals 266 8.8% 4.4% 97 8.6% -0.2% Twins 252 8.4% 4.1% 77 6.8% -1.6% Angels 230 7.6% 3.8% 65 5.8% -1.9% White Sox 174 5.8% 2.9% 70 6.2% 0.4% Mariners 0 0.0% 0.0% 59 5.2% 5.2% West Division 1618 53.8% 26.5% 527 46.7% -7.1% 231 98.5% AL Total 3009 100.0% 49.3% 1129 100.0% 0.0% 215 91.6% NL Organization WSP Lg. WSP MLB WSP W Lg. W W% - WSP% Avg WSP %MLB Avg Pirates 385 12.5% 6.3% 83 8.5% -3.9% Cardinals 375 12.1% 6.1% 74 7.6% -4.5% Phillies 316 10.2% 5.2% 91 9.4% -0.9% Mets 271 8.8% 4.4% 67 6.9% -1.9% Expos 220 7.1% 3.6% 90 9.3% 2.1% Cubs 125 4.0% 2.0% 64 6.6% 2.5% East Division 1692 54.8% 27.7% 469 48.3% -6.5% 282 120.2% Reds 296 9.6% 4.9% 89 9.2% -0.4% Dodgers 285 9.2% 4.7% 92 9.5% 0.2% Astros 246 8.0% 4.0% 93 9.6% 1.6% Giants 224 7.2% 3.7% 75 7.7% 0.5% Braves 214 6.9% 3.5% 81 8.3% 1.4% Padres 133 4.3% 2.2% 73 7.5% 3.2% West Division 1398 45.2% 22.9% 503 51.7% 6.5% 233 99.3% NL Total 3090 100.0% 50.7% 972 100.0% 0.0% 258 109.8% MLB Total 6099 n/a 100% 2101 n/a n/a 235 100.0%
Another franchise that hadn’t yielded proportional benefit from a consistently strong farm system was the Cardinals. Throughout the 1970s, they’d been among the better producers of talent, but generally put a mediocre team on the field. In 1980, it was more of the same: second in the league in WSP, but a 74-88 record.
The Cards had a few home-grown stars in first baseman Keith Hernandez, catcher Ted Simmons and shortstop Garry Templeton. But the list of those they’d let get away included outfielders Jose Cruz (Astros), Jerry Mumphrey (Padres) and Bake McBride (Phillies) and pitchers Jerry Reuss (Dodgers) and Bill Caudill (Cubs). It also included superstar Steve Carlton, who was central to the Phillies’ winning their fourth division title in five years, their first pennant since 1950 and their first World Series championship.
The Athletics demonstrated an astonishing feat of rising from the ashes. Stripped nearly bare of talent in 1977, owner/GM Charlie Finley quickly and shrewdly rebuilt. His tremendous farm system continued to deliver, providing outfielders Rickey Henderson and Dwayne Murphy, third baseman Wayne Gross and pitchers Mike Norris, Matt Keough, Steve McCatty and Brian Kingman. Canny trades imported pitcher Rick Langford, outfielder Tony Armas and first baseman Dave Revering.
In his 20th and final season of A’s ownership, Finley produced another winning team. His franchise not only led the AL West in WSP for the 12th consecutive season, but also, for the first time, led all of MLB.
That year marked the 30th in a row that the National League had produced more talent than the American. The average NL franchise had 258 WSP, or 109.8% of the major league average, compared with a 215 average in the AL. Large though this gap was, it was at its narrowest since 1971, so perhaps the two leagues were finally moving toward parity in value production. Significantly, the difference in producing players of color had decreased, to 32.5% NL to 28.8% AL, as compared to 38.6%/27.0% in 1975. Next time we’ll see what the early 1980s would reveal.
The Value Production Standings Summary, 1946-1980
Year NYY DET BOS CLE OAK MIN BAL CHW CAL WAS AL WSP
1946 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 x x 56.5%
1947 1 2 4 3 5 6 8 7 x x 55.3%
1948 1 3 4 2 5 7 6 8 x x 55.6%
1949 1 3T 3T 2 5 7 6 8 x x 51.9%
1950 1 3 4 2 7 6 5 8 x x 50.5%
1951 2 4 3 1 5 6 8 7 x x 49.0%
1952 1 4 3 2 5 6 8 7 x x 47.9%
1953 2 4 3 1 7 6 8 5 x x 46.2%
1954 1T 4 3 1T 7 6 8 5 x x 47.5%
1955 1 4 2 3 5 6 8 7 x x 46.7%
1956 1 4 2 3 7 5 8 6 x x 47.1%
1957 1 4 2 3 6 8 7 5 x x 46.3%
1958 1 4 3 2 8 7 6 5 x x 46.4%
1959 1 4 3 2 8 7 5 6 x x 46.5%
1960 1 5 3 2 8 7 4 6 x x 46.0%
1961 1 4 3 2 8 7 5 6 9 10 48.3%
1962 1 3 4 2 8 6 5 7 10 9 43.1%
1963 1 5 4 2 8 7 3 6 10 9 43.6%
1964 1 3 4 5 8 7 2 6 9 10 45.0%
1965 1 2 7 4 8 6 3 5 9 10 44.5%
1966 1 3 6 5 7 8 2 4 9 10 44.4%
1967 7 4 1 6 8 3 2 5 9 10 45.5%
1968 7 1 4 5 2 8 3 6 9 10 45.8%
Year BAL DET BOS NYY CLE WAS TOR Avg WSP %ML Avg ALE WSP AL WSP
1969 1 2 3 4 5 6 x 259 108.3% 27.1% 45.3%
1970 2 4 1 3 5 6 x 260 108.3% 27.1% 44.7%
1971 2 3 4 1 5 6 x 244 101.5% 25.4% 46.0%
BAL DET BOS NYY CLE MIL TOR
1972 1 5 2 4 3 6 x 219 95.4% 23.9% 43.0%
1973 1 5 2 4 3 6 x 219 91.5% 22.9% 42.0%
1974 2 3 1 4 5 6 x 215 90.5% 22.6% 43.8%
1975 2 4 1 3 5 6 x 193 81.6% 20.4% 44.4%
1976 2 4 1 5 3 6 x 204 85.9% 21.5% 44.3%
1977 1 3 2 5 4 6 7 193 82.2% 22.1% 46.0%
1978 2 3 1 5 4 6 7 210 88.9% 23.9% 46.7%
1979 2 3 1 6 5 4 7 213 90.6% 24.4% 47.6%
1980 3 2 1 6 4 5 7 199 84.7% 22.8% 49.3%
Year OAK MIN CHW CAL KCR MIL SEA Avg WSP %ML Avg ALW WSP AL WSP
1969 1 2 3 4 5T 5T x 175 73.0% 18.2% 45.3%
1970 1 2 3 4 5 6 x 169 70.4% 17.6% 44.7%
1971 1 3 4 2 6 5 x 198 82.3% 20.6% 46.0%
OAK MIN CHW CAL KCR TEX SEA
1972 1 2 3 4 6 5 x 177 76.8% 19.2% 43.0%
1973 1 2 3 4 6 5 x 183 76.5% 19.1% 42.0%
1974 1 2 5 4 6 3 x 201 84.7% 21.2% 43.8%
1975 1 2 5 3 6 4 x 228 96.2% 24.0% 44.4%
1976 1 4 5 2 6 3 x 217 91.5% 22.9% 44.3%
1977 1 2 6 4 5 3 7 209 88.7% 23.9% 46.0%
1978 1 3 6 4 5 2 7 200 84.4% 22.7% 46.7%
1979 1 4T 6 2 4T 3 7 203 86.3% 23.2% 47.6%
1980 1 4 6 5 3 2 7 231 98.5% 26.5% 49.3%
Year STL LAD CHC CIN PHI PIT ATL SFG HOU NYM NL WSP
1946 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 x x 43.5%
1947 1 2 4 3 7 6 8 5 x x 44.7%
1948 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 5 x x 44.4%
1949 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 6 x x 48.1%
1950 1 2 5 6 4 7 8 3 x x 49.5%
1951 1 2 5 4 6 7 8 3 x x 51.0%
1952 1 2 5 4 6 8 7 3 x x 52.1%
1953 2 1 7 4 5 8 3 6 x x 53.8%
1954 2 1 7 5 6 8 3 4 x x 52.5%
1955 3 1 6 5 7 8 2 4 x x 53.3%
1956 2 1 8 4 6 7 3 5 x x 52.9%
1957 2 1 7 5 4 8 3 6 x x 53.7%
1958 4 1 8 6 7 5 2 3 x x 53.6%
1959 3 1 7 5 8 6 2 4 x x 53.5%
1960 3 1 8 6 7 5 4 2 x x 54.0%
1961 2 1 7 5 8 6 3 4 x x 51.7%
1962 4 1 7 5 8 6 2 3 9 10 56.9%
1963 5 1 7 4 8 6 3 2 9 10 56.4%
1964 6 3 7 4 8 5 2 1 9 10 55.0%
1965 6 2 8 3 7 5 4 1 9 10 55.5%
1966 6 4 7 2 8 5 3 1 9 10 55.6%
1967 5 3 6 2 7 8 4 1 9 10 54.5%
1968 5 4 6 2 8 7 3 1 9 10 54.2%
Year PIT STL CHC NYM PHI MON Avg WSP %ML Avg NLE WSP NL WSP
1969 1 2 3 4 5 6 218 91.1% 22.8% 54.7%
1970 1 2 4 5 3 6 221 91.9% 23.0% 55.3%
1971 1 3 5 2 4 6 230 95.7% 23.9% 54.0%
1972 1 2 4 3 5 6 244 106.1% 26.5% 57.0%
1973 1 3 5 2 4 6 239 99.7% 24.9% 58.0%
1974 1 4 5 3 2 6 249 104.9% 26.2% 56.2%
1975 1 2 5 3 4 6 247 104.2% 26.1% 55.6%
1976 1 2 5 3 4 6 254 106.8% 26.7% 55.7%
1977 1 2 5 4 3 6 292 123.8% 28.6% 54.0%
1978 1 3 5 4 2 6 286 120.8% 27.9% 53.3%
1979 1 3 6 4 2 5 291 123.9% 28.6% 52.4%
1980 1 2 6 4 3 5 282 120.2% 27.7% 50.7%
Year SFG CIN ATL LAD HOU SDP Avg WSP %ML Avg NLW WSP NL WSP
1969 1 2 3 4 5 6 306 127.7% 31.9% 54.7%
1970 1 2 3 4 5 6 311 129.4% 32.3% 55.3%
1971 1 2 3 4 5 6 289 120.4% 30.1% 54.0%
1972 2 1 4 5 3 6 280 121.7% 30.4% 57.0%
1973 1 2 5 3 4 6 317 132.2% 33.1% 58.0%
1974 2 1 5 3 4 6 285 120.0% 30.0% 56.2%
1975 1 2 5 4 3 6 279 118.0% 29.5% 55.6%
1976 1 3 5 2 4 6 275 115.9% 29.0% 55.7%
1977 1 3 5 2 4 6 259 110.2% 25.4% 54.0%
1978 1 3 4 2 5 6 261 110.3% 25.5% 53.3%
1979 1 3 5 2 4 6 242 103.0% 23.8% 52.4%
1980 4 1 5 2 3 6 233 99.3% 22.9% 50.7%
References & Resources
Methodology
First, we identify every player in the major leagues each season with at least five career Win Shares. Then we identify which major league organization was responsible for originally signing and developing that player (or perhaps not originally signing him, but clearly being the organization most responsible for developing him). Finally, we credit every season’s production of major league Win Shares by that player to that organization, regardless of whether he actually played that season for that organization.
Sometimes it’s impossible to assign a player to one organization. Lots of players were signed by one team, but then acquired by another organization while still young minor leaguers. For such players, we assign half-credit to each of the two organizations (and in a few cases, we assign one-third-credit to each of three organizations).
In the late 1970s, a handful of players weren’t the products of any major league team’s farm system, having been purchased from independent teams in the Mexican League. The Win Shares of such players aren’t counted in this analysis.