Introduction We all love the excitement of a home run, but there’s something equally magical about a perfectly executed double play or a diving catch.
Today, we will look at some of the best defensive teams in MLB history from the 70s through the 2020s. These teams didn’t just rely on their bats; they were juggernauts on the field, creating moments of pure baseball brilliance and proving the crucial role of defensive strategies in team success.
Who are the best defensive teams in MLB history
1970’s – Baltimore Orioles
Fielding Percentage:
- Led the American League in fielding percentage five times: 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, and 1979
- Their 1973 team had a fielding percentage of .984
Errors:
- Led the AL in fewest errors six times during the 1970s
- In 1973, they committed just 89 errors
Double Plays:
- Consistently ranked in the top 3 in the AL in double plays turned throughout the decade
Gold Glove Winners:
- Brooks Robinson: 16 consecutive (1960-1975)
- Mark Belanger: 8 (1969-1978)
- Paul Blair: 8 (1967-1975)
- Bobby Grich: 4 (1973-1976)
- Jim Palmer: 4 (1976-1979)
- In all, the Orioles won 29 Gold Gloves during the 70s
Individual Season Highlights:
- 1975: Mark Belanger led AL shortstops with a .978 fielding percentage
- 1974: Brooks Robinson led AL third basemen with a .974 fielding percentage
Consistency:
- Finished in the top 3 in AL fielding percentage every year of the 1970s
Postseason Performance:
- In their 3 World Series appearances (1970, 1971, 1979), they committed just 11 errors total across 19 games
1980s – St Louis Cardinals
Fielding Percentage:
- Led the National League in fielding percentage three times: 1981, 1985, and 1987
- In 1985, they set a National League record with a .987 fielding percentage
Gold Glove Awards in the 1980s:
- Ozzie Smith: 13 (1980-1992)
- Keith Hernandez: 5 (1979-1983)
- Willie McGee: 3 (1983, 1985, 1986)
- Joaquín Andújar: 1 (1984)
- Terry Pendleton: 2 (1987, 1989)
- In all, the Cardinals won 20 Gold Gloves in the 80s
Individual Achievements:
- Ozzie Smith led NL shortstops in fielding percentage eight times in the 1980s
- Smith also led NL shortstops in assists eight times and double plays five times during the decade
Team Defense Impact:
- Allowed the fewest runs in the NL three times (1981, 1985, 1988)
- Consistently ranked in the top 3 in the NL in ERA throughout the decade
Errors:
- Led the NL in fewest errors four times: 1981, 1982, 1985, and 1989
- In 1985, they committed only 94 errors, the lowest in the NL for the entire decade
Double Plays:
- Led the NL in double plays turned three times: 1982, 1985, and 1987
Consistency:
- Finished in the top 3 in NL fielding percentage eight times in the 1980s
Postseason Performance:
- In their 3 World Series appearances (1982, 1985, 1987), they committed just 14 errors across 20 games
1990s – Cleveland Guardians(Indians)
Fielding Percentage:
- Led the American League in fielding percentage in 1996 (.989), 1997 (.988), and 1999 (.987)
Gold Glove Awards:
- Omar Vizquel: 8 (1993-1999)
- Kenny Lofton: 4 (1993-1996)
- Sandy Alomar Jr.: 1 (1990)
- Total: 13 Gold Gloves
Individual Excellence:
- Omar Vizquel led AL shortstops in fielding percentage six times (1993-1996, 1998-1999)
- Kenny Lofton led AL outfielders in putouts four times (1993-1996)
Errors:
- Consistently among the teams with the fewest errors in the AL
- In 1998, they committed only 72 errors, the lowest in the AL for the decade
Defensive Efficiency:
- Often ranked in the top 3 in the AL, particularly in the latter half of the decade
Consistency:
- Finished in the top 3 in AL fielding percentage six times in the 1990s
Postseason Performance:
- Made the postseason five times (1995-1999)
- In their two World Series appearances (1995 and 1997), they committed just eight errors across 13 games
2000s – Seattle Mariners
Team Fielding Percentage:
- Led the American League in fielding percentage in 2001 (.987), 2003 (.988), and 2007 (.986)
Gold Glove Awards:
- Ichiro Suzuki: 10 (2001-2010)
- Adrian Beltre: 2 (2007-2008)
- Bret Boone: 3 (2002-2004)
- Mike Cameron: 1 (2001)
- Total: 16 Gold Gloves
Defensive Efficiency:
- Led the AL in 2001 (.724), 2003 (.721), and 2009 (.705)
UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating):
- Consistently ranked in the top 5 in the AL from 2002 (when the stat was introduced) onwards
Errors:
- Committed the fewest errors in the AL in 2003 (65) and 2007 (84)
2010s – Chicago Cubs
Fielding Percentage:
- Led the National League in fielding percentage in 2016 (.988) and 2019 (.987)
Gold Glove Awards:
- Jason Heyward: 4 (2016-2017, 2019-2020)
- Anthony Rizzo: 3 (2016, 2018-2019)
- Javier Báez: 1 (2020)
- Total: 8 Gold Gloves
Defensive Efficiency:
- Led NL in 2016 (.728) and 2018 (.713)
- Consistently ranked in the top 5 in the NL
Individual Excellence:
- Jason Heyward’s defense in right field was consistently elite
- Javier Báez emerged as one of the best defensive infielders in baseball
- Anthony Rizzo provided excellent defense at first base
Consistency:
- Maintained a high level of defensive performance throughout most of the decade, with exceptional peaks in 2016 and 2018
Impact on Team Success:
- Their defensive excellence was a critical factor in their 2016 World Series victory and multiple playoff appearances
Advanced Metrics:
- Consistently ranked highly in various advanced defensive metrics throughout the decade
Who are the Best Defensive Teams in MLB History
2020s – Houston Astros
Fielding Percentage:
- Led AL in 2020 (.991) and 2021 (.988)
- Consistently in the top 3 in AL (2020-2023)
Defensive Runs Saved (DRS):
- 2021: 77 DRS (2nd in MLB)
- 2022: 51 DRS (3rd in AL, 5th in MLB)
- 2023: 56 DRS (4th in MLB)
Outs Above Average (OAA):
- 2021: 31 OAA (1st in MLB)
- 2022: 20 OAA (3rd in AL, 6th in MLB)
- 2023: 21 OAA (4th in AL, 8th in MLB)
Errors:
- 2020: 20 errors (fewest in AL in a shortened season)
- 2021: 67 errors (fewest in AL)
- Consistently among teams with the fewest errors
Gold Glove Awards:
- Carlos Correa: SS (2021)
- Yuli Gurriel: 1B (2021)
- Kyle Tucker: RF (2022-2023)
- Jeremy Peña: SS (2022)
- Total: 6 Gold Gloves
Individual Excellence:
- Carlos Correa and Jeremy Peña have been elite defenders at shortstop
- Kyle Tucker and Myles Straw (2021) have been excellent in the outfield
Consistency:
- Maintained high defensive standards throughout the early 2020s
The Best of All Time?
Now, the fun part. Who is considered the best defensive team of all time? They is plenty of debate for sure! Determining the best defensive team of all time is challenging due to changes in the game, evolving metrics, and differences across eras. However, based on sustained excellence, impact, and available data, a strong case can be made for the Baltimore Orioles of the late 1960s and 1970s.
Consistency and Longevity:
- Maintained defensive excellence for more than a decade
- Led the American League in fielding percentage seven times between 1964 and 1974
Gold Glove Awards:
- Brooks Robinson: 16 consecutive (1960-1975)
- Mark Belanger: 8 (1969-1978)
- Paul Blair: 8 (1967-1975)
- Davey Johnson: 3 (1969-1971)
- Jim Palmer: 4 (1976-1979)
- Total: 44 Gold Gloves during the 60s and 70s
Individual Excellence:
- Brooks Robinson is widely considered the greatest defensive third baseman of all time.
- Mark Belanger was one of the best defensive shortstops of his era
Team Achievements:
- Won 3 consecutive Gold Glove team awards (1969-1971)
- Committed the fewest errors in the AL 6 times in the 1970s
“The Oriole Way”:
Era-Adjusted Excellence:
- Their defensive prowess stood out significantly compared to their contemporaries
Influence on the Game:
- Set a standard for defensive excellence that influenced how teams valued defense
While modern teams might have better raw defensive numbers due to improved equipment and playing surfaces, the Orioles’ defense was exceptional relative to their era. Their combination of individual brilliance, team success, and sustained excellence over a long period makes them a strong candidate for the best defensive team ever. It is noteworthy that teams like the 1970s Cincinnati Reds, the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals, and more recent teams like the 2016 Chicago Cubs have also had exceptional defensive seasons or stretches. However, the Orioles’ long-term defensive dominance across multiple positions sets them apart in baseball history.
What are your thoughts?
FAQs
How have defensive strategies evolved in MLB? Defensive strategies have evolved with advancements in data analytics, leading to more sophisticated positioning and defensive alignments. Modern training techniques and improved equipment have also played a significant role.
What are the critical metrics for evaluating defense in baseball? Key metrics include Fielding Percentage, Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), and Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), providing a comprehensive view of a team’s defensive performance.
Who are some of the best defensive players in MLB history? To name a few, Brooks Robinson, Ozzie Smith, and Ichiro Suzuki are considered among the best defensive players in baseball history.
How does defense impact a team’s success in MLB? There is an old saying that defense wins championships, and most of the teams mentioned here have won a championship. A strong defense can prevent runs, shift momentum, and provide a psychological edge. It is often a critical factor in postseason success and can be the difference between winning and losing championships.
