So in a previous post I wondered how often teams make the world series and lose and then based on the experience come back and win the next year.
It has happened
Random question. How many times has a baseball team reached the world series and lost, then returned the next year and won? Turns out it has happened 16 times and my theory is the experience of getting to the big game really helps the next year. If you look at the instances of when this has happened you see it happened more when there were fewer teams and not as many playoffs so the search could be expanded but perhaps it’s enough to sort of make the point that getting to a big game is a learning experience for coaches and players.
Sixteen times.
Won it Lost the year before to Beat
1907 Cubs White Sox Tigers
1923 Yankees Giants Giants
1927 Yankees Cardinals Pirates
1931 Cardinals Athletics Athletics
1935 Tigers Cardinals Cubs
1940 Reds Yankees Tigers
1943 Yankees Cardinals Cardinals
1944 Cardinals Yankees Browns
1956 Yankees Dodgers Dodgers
1958 Yankees Braves Braves
1961 Yankees Pirates Reds
1970 Orioles Mets Reds
1977 Yankees Reds Dodgers
1989 Athletics Dodgers Giants
2015 Royals Giants Mets
2022 Astros Braves Phillies
Fun stuff, certainly more could be done here to look into other sports as well. I’m sure this isn’t specific to baseball. It’s all about getting on a big stage and not being spooked.
If the idea that big-game experience is the best teacher resonates with you, sign up for the newsletter or grab the free Quick Start Guide — there’s a lot more where this came from.
