Houston Astros
Texas franchise whose 2017 championship came with the asterisk of baseball's most comprehensive cheating scandal — and whose 2022 title was seen as vindication in the most polarizing dynasty of the modern era.
Pantheon Standing
| List Name | Rank | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest MLB Franchises of All Time | #1 | 96.0 |
The Age Divide
Voters under 30 and over 35 rank Houston Astros significantly differently across lists.
The Athletic Record
The Case For Houston Astros
“The longevity argument alone puts them in a category of one. While others burned bright and faded, this figure consistently reinvented and dominated across decades, eras, and cultural shifts that would have destroyed lesser talents.”
“Technically unmatched. The craft here is evident in every performance, every work — the kind of effortless execution that only comes from thousands of hours of mastery made invisible. They make the impossible look inevitable.”
“Commercial success should never be held against artistic legacy. The ability to dominate charts while maintaining critical respect is a skill unto itself — one that this figure has mastered better than any peer in the conversation.”
Rank History
Ranking history will be available once voting opens for Houston Astros.
Often Compared To
Los Angeles Angels
#2MLB / AL West — Anaheim, California · 1961–present
Orange County franchise whose only World Series title in 2002 featured a rally monkey and a comeback from 0-2 that stands among the most memorable October moments.
Oakland Athletics
#3MLB / AL West — West Sacramento, California · 1901–present
Bay Area franchise whose Moneyball revolution in 2002 changed how baseball teams are built — and whose four consecutive championships in the early 1970s made them baseball's forgotten dynasty.