List of Major League Baseball franchise postseason streaks
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2021) |
This is a list of Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise postseason and World Series streaks. The list includes only the modern World Series between the American League (AL) and the National League (NL), not the various 19th-century championship series.
The most successful postseason team in MLB history is the New York Yankees, who have achieved three of the four instances of a franchise winning more than two World Series championships in a row (one streak each of durations 3, 4, and 5 seasons) and five of the six instances of a franchise winning the league pennant (i.e., an appearance in the World Series) more than three times in a row (three streaks of 4 seasons and two streaks of 5 seasons). The only other franchises to achieve these milestones are the Oakland Athletics, who won three consecutive championships from 1972 to 1974, and the New York Giants, who won four consecutive pennants from 1921 to 1924. The Yankees also achieved a remarkable run of appearing in 15 of the 18 World Series from 1947 to 1964.
Beginning in 1969, MLB split into four divisions, and the winners of each competed in the League Championship Series, with the winners advancing to the World Series. When a multi-tier playoff system was implemented in 1995, the LCS remained the series that determined the pennant-winner. The longest streak of consecutive LCS appearances belongs to both the Atlanta Braves with eight in a row from 1991 to 1999 (not counting 1994, when there were no playoffs), and the Houston Astros, who have had eight in a row from 2017 to 2024.
Further expansion of the postseason began in 1995, with eight teams entering the playoffs each year (further expanded to ten teams in 2012). In this era, the Braves entered the postseason 14 consecutive years from 1991 to 2005 (again not counting 1994), while the Yankees had a streak of 13 appearances from 1995 to 2007. However, all other postseason appearance streaks of 6 years or more predate the expanded-postseason era and are mentioned above, except for an ongoing 12-year run by the Los Angeles Dodgers (2013–2024).
World Series championship streaks
editThe Yankees have achieved one streak each of three, four, and five championships in a row, and the Athletics have achieved a streak of three in a row. Back-to-back championships have been achieved an additional ten times.
| Length | Team | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | New York Yankees | 1949–1953 |
| 4 | New York Yankees | 1936–1939 |
| 3 | Oakland Athletics | 1972–1974 |
| 3 | New York Yankees | 1998–2000 |
| 2 | Chicago Cubs | 1907–1908 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Athletics | 1910–1911 |
| 2 | Boston Red Sox | 1915–1916 |
| 2 | New York Giants | 1921–1922 |
| 2 | New York Yankees | 1927–1928 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Athletics | 1929–1930 |
| 2 | New York Yankees | 1961–1962 |
| 2 | Cincinnati Reds | 1975–1976 |
| 2 | New York Yankees | 1977–1978 |
| 2 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1992–1993 |
Near streaks: Runs during which a franchise won World Series championships at least 70% of the time, with gaps of no more than one year:
| Length | Team | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 6 of 7 | New York Yankees | 1947, 1949–1953 |
| 6 of 8 | New York Yankees | 1936–1939, 1941, 1943 |
| 4 of 5 | New York Yankees | 1996, 1998–2000 |
| 3 of 4 | Philadelphia Athletics | 1910–1911, 1913 |
| 3 of 4 | Boston Red Sox | 1915–1916, 1918 |
World Series appearance (pennant) streaks
editThe Yankees have achieved five separate streaks of four or five pennants in a row, and the Giants achieved one streak of four in a row. Three pennants in a row have been achieved an additional twelve times, and back-to-back pennants an additional twenty-one times.
Bold indicates a current streak.
Near streaks: Runs during which a franchise won its league pennant at least 70% of the time, with gaps of no more than one year:
| Length | Team | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 15 of 18 | New York Yankees | 1947, 1949–1953, 1955–1958, 1960–1964 |
| 7 of 8 | New York Yankees | 1936–1939, 1941–1943 |
| 6 of 8 | New York Yankees | 1996, 1998–2001, 2003 |
| 4 of 5 | Chicago Cubs | 1906–1908, 1910 |
| 4 of 5 | Philadelphia Athletics | 1910–1911, 1913–1914 |
| 4 of 5 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1942–1944, 1946 |
| 4 of 5 | Brooklyn Dodgers | 1952–1953, 1955–1956 |
| 4 of 5 | Atlanta Braves | 1991–1992*, 1995–1996 |
| 3 of 4 | Boston Red Sox | 1915–1916, 1918 |
| 3 of 4 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1928, 1930–1931 |
| 3 of 4 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1963, 1965–1966 |
| 3 of 4 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2017–2018, 2020 |
| 3 of 4 | Houston Astros | 2019, 2021–2022 |
* Because the 1994 playoffs were cancelled, the year 1994 is not counted as either a part or an interruption of any streak.
League Championship Series appearance streaks
editThe Braves appeared in every LCS held from 1991 to 1999, which is eight in a row, winning five league pennants and one World Series championship during that time. The American League record is held by the Houston Astros, who have appeared in the ALCS in seven straight seasons from 2017 to 2023 that has resulted in four pennants and two world titles. They are the only team to appear in an LCS in seven straight completed seasons, as the 90s Braves did not compete in the 1994 NLCS due to the season not being completed. Incidentally, the LCS was the only round preceding the World Series until 1995, when the Division Series was created; the Wild Card Series has acted as the first round for most of the playoff teams on a regular basis since 2022.
The Oakland Athletics in their "Swingin' A's" era previously held the AL record with five appearances in a row, which saw them win three world titles. The Yankees and Cardinals have each achieved an LCS appearance streak of four in a row. Three LCS appearances in a row have been achieved an additional thirteen times, and back-to-back LCS appearances an additional twenty-two times.
Three teams (the Orioles, Pirates, and Yankees) achieved multiple LCS appearance streaks in and around the 1970s, each adding up to five appearances in six years.
The LCS began in 1969. Before that, the two regular season champions were awarded the pennants and went directly to the World Series.
Bold indicates a current streak.
Near streaks: Runs during which a franchise appeared in its league championship series at least 70% of the time, with gaps of no more than one year:
| Length | Team | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 9 of 10 | Atlanta Braves | 1991–1993*, 1995–1999, 2001 |
| 7 of 9 | New York Yankees | 1996, 1998–2001, 2003–2004 |
| 5 of 6 | Baltimore Orioles | 1969–1971, 1973–1974 |
| 5 of 6 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1970–1972, 1974–1975 |
| 5 of 6 | New York Yankees | 1976–1978, 1980–1981 |
| 5 of 6 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2016–2018, 2020–2021 |
| 5 of 7 | Cincinnati Reds | 1970, 1972–1973, 1975–1976 |
| 5 of 7 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2000, 2002, 2004–2006 |
| 4 of 5 | Kansas City Royals | 1976–1978, 1980 |
| 4 of 5 | Philadelphia Phillies | 1976–1978, 1980 |
| 4 of 5 | Oakland Athletics | 1988–1990, 1992 |
| 4 of 5 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1989, 1991–1993 |
| 3 of 4 | Cleveland Indians | 1995, 1997–1998 |
| 3 of 4 | New York Yankees | 2009–2010, 2012 |
* Because the 1994 playoffs were cancelled, the year 1994 is not counted as either a part or an interruption of any streak.
Postseason appearance streaks
editThe Braves and the Yankees have achieved respective streaks of 14 and 13 consecutive appearances in the postseason, centered on the 1990s and 2000s. The Dodgers have an ongoing streak of 12 consecutive appearances. Five postseason appearances in a row have been achieved an additional seven times, four in a row an additional nine times, and three in a row an additional thirty times.
Regarding near-streaks, the Yankees appeared in 17 of 18 postseasons from 1995 to 2012, 15 of 18 postseasons from 1947 to 1964 (see pennant near-streaks above), 8 of 10 postseasons from 2015 to 2024, and 7 of 8 postseasons twice, from 1936 to 1943 (see pennant near-streaks above). The Astros have currently appeared in 9 of 10 postseasons, from 2015 to 2024. In addition, six teams have appeared in postseason near-streaks of 6 (having appeared in 6 of 7 or 8 consecutive postseasons). The Indians (1995 to 2001), St. Louis Cardinals (twice, 2000 to 2006 and 2009 to 2015), Red Sox (2003 to 2009), and Brewers (2018 to 2024) appeared in 6 of 7 postseasons, while the Phillies (1976 to 1983) and Angels (2002 to 2009) appeared in 6 of 8 postseasons.
Postseason appearance streaks have become more common in recent years, as the postseason has been progressively restructured to include more teams (originally two, four since 1969, eight since 1995, ten since 2012, sixteen in 2020, twelve since 2022). The Astros, who have reached the postseason eight straight times from 2017 to 2024, are the only team to ever win a postseason series in seven straight seasons.
Bold indicates a current streak.
Near streaks: Runs during which a franchise appeared in the postseason at least 70% of the time, with gaps of no more than one year:
| Length | Team | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 17 of 18 | New York Yankees | 1995–2007, 2009–2012 |
| 15 of 18 | New York Yankees | 1947, 1949–1953, 1955–1958, 1960–1964 |
| 9 of 10 | Houston Astros | 2015, 2017–2024 |
| 8 of 10 | New York Yankees | 2015, 2017–2022, 2024 |
| 7 of 8 | New York Yankees | 1936–1939, 1941–1943 |
| 6 of 7 | Cleveland Indians | 1995–1999, 2001 |
| 6 of 7 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2000–2002, 2004–2006 |
| 6 of 7 | Boston Red Sox | 2003–2005, 2007–2009 |
| 6 of 7 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2009, 2011–2015 |
| 6 of 7 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2018–2021, 2023–2024 |
| 6 of 8 | Philadelphia Phillies | 1976–1978, 1980–1981, 1983 |
| 6 of 8 | Anaheim Angels/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | 2002, 2004–2005, 2007–2009 |
| 5 of 6 | Baltimore Orioles | 1969–1971, 1973–1974 |
| 5 of 6 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1970–1972, 1974–1975 |
| 5 of 6 | Kansas City Royals | 1976–1978, 1980–1981 |
| 5 of 6 | New York Yankees | 1976–1978, 1980–1981 |
| 5 of 6 | Chicago Cubs | 2015–2018, 2020 |
| 5 of 7 | Cincinnati Reds | 1970, 1972–1973, 1975–1976 |
| 5 of 7 | Cleveland Indians/Guardians | 2016–2018, 2020, 2022 |
| 4 of 5 | Chicago Cubs | 1906–1908, 1910 |
| 4 of 5 | Philadelphia Athletics | 1910–1911, 1913–1914 |
| 4 of 5 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1942–1944, 1946 |
| 4 of 5 | Brooklyn Dodgers | 1952–1953, 1955–1956 |
| 4 of 5 | Oakland Athletics | 1988–1990, 1992 |
| 4 of 5 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1989, 1991–1993 |
| 4 of 5 | Houston Astros | 1997–1999, 2001 |
| 4 of 5 | Minnesota Twins | 2002–2004, 2006 |
| 3 of 4 | Boston Red Sox | 1915–1916, 1918 |
| 3 of 4 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1928, 1930–1931 |
| 3 of 4 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 1963, 1965–1966 |
| 3 of 4 | Texas Rangers | 1996, 1998–1999 |
| 3 of 4 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 1999, 2001–2002 |
| 3 of 4 | San Francisco Giants | 2000, 2002–2003 |
| 3 of 4 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2006, 2008–2009 |
| 3 of 4 | Tampa Bay Rays | 2008, 2010–2011 |
| 3 of 4 | Tampa Bay Rays | 2010–2011, 2013 |
| 3 of 4 | Atlanta Braves | 2010, 2012–2013 |
| 3 of 4 | Cincinnati Reds | 2010, 2012–2013 |
| 3 of 4 | Washington Nationals | 2014, 2016–2017 |
| 3 of 4 | Washington Nationals | 2016–2017, 2019 |
| 3 of 4 | Minnesota Twins | 2017, 2019–2020 |
| 3 of 4 | Toronto Blue Jays | 2020, 2022–2023 |
* Because the 1994 playoffs were cancelled, the year 1994 is not counted as either a part or an interruption of any streak.
Postseason series win streaks
editThe Houston Astros have achieved the longest series win streak of 7 consecutive postseasons, from 2017–present. The Atlanta Braves was the closest team in consecutive seasons with at least one playoff series win, with 5 from 1995–1999. Four consecutive seasons with at least one postseason series win have been achieved twice, three seasons in a row an additional five times, and back-to-back postseason appearances with a series win an additional sixteen times.
Postseason series wins have become more common in recent years, as the postseason has been progressively restructured to include more teams (originally two, four since 1969, eight since 1995, ten since 2012, sixteen in 2020, twelve since 2022). The Astros, who have reached the postseason eight straight times since 2017, is the only team to ever win a postseason series in seven straight seasons.
Bold indicates a current streak since 1995.
| Length | Team | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Houston Astros | 2017–2023 |
| 5 | Atlanta Braves | 1995–1999 |
| 4 | New York Yankees | 1998–2001 |
| 4 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2011–2014 |
| 3 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2004–2006 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Phillies | 2008–2010 |
| 3 | Detroit Tigers | 2011–2013 |
| 3 | Chicago Cubs | 2015–2017 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2016–2018 |
| 3 | New York Yankees | 2017–2019 |
| 2 | Baltimore Orioles | 1996–1997 |
| 2 | Cleveland Indians | 1997–1998 |
| 2 | New York Mets | 1999–2000 |
| 2 | Seattle Mariners | 2000–2001 |
| 2 | Boston Red Sox | 2003–2004 |
| 2 | New York Yankees | 2003–2004 |
| 2 | Houston Astros | 2004–2005 |
| 2 | Boston Red Sox | 2007–2008 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2008–2009 |
| 2 | New York Yankees | 2009–2010 |
| 2 | Texas Rangers | 2010–2011 |
| 2 | Kansas City Royals | 2014–2015 |
| 2 | Toronto Blue Jays | 2015–2016 |
| 2 | Atlanta Braves | 2020–2021 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2020–2021 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Phillies | 2022–2023 |
Near streaks: Runs during which a franchise appeared in the postseason and won at least one playoff series at least 70% of the time, with gaps of no more than one year:
| Length | Team | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 8 of 10 | Atlanta Braves | 1991–1992*, 1995–1999, 2001 |
| 7 of 9 | New York Yankees | 1996, 1998–2001, 2003–2004 |
| 6 of 7 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2015–2018, 2020–2021 |
| 5 of 7 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2000, 2002, 2004–2006 |
| 3 of 4 | Cleveland Indians | 1995, 1997–1998 |
| 3 of 4 | New York Yankees | 2009–2010, 2012 |
* Because the 1994 playoffs were cancelled, the year 1994 is not counted as either a part or an interruption of any streak.