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Ok, since I still have 3 (soon to be 2) teams remaining in the original tournament, I figure I can get into this one too.
Let's start with the WS Winners:
1980 Philadelphia Phillies-
Since most of the other good Phillies teams have been taken, I better snap up the only winner in the history of the team. Quick bit of trivia-Who, before the Cubs tied it this year, had the longest run between World Series wins? The Phillies, from 1883 until this season. 97 years of frustration ended with this team.
1938 New York Yankees-
Being a Yankees hater, this hurts, but you can't hate the players on this team. The last full season of Gehrig's career, one of the first seasons of Joltin' Joe, and just some solid overall players make this a great team.
Now, the rest:
2004 Philadelphia Phillies-
The team that cost Larry Bowa his job. Did I like Bowa? Nope, and quite honestly, I thought he should have been gone the year before this, but that's just me. Great hitting at least with Thome before he got hurt, Burrell bouncing back and Abreu making the 30/30 club. Pitching and centerfield leave A LOT to be desired, but hey, you can't get everything.
1964 Philadelphia Phillies-
Oh boy, this team. I'm not even close to old enough to remember this team, but the horror stories are bad enough. I tried them last time, let's see what they can do this time around. Poor Gene Mauch, always remembered for the ones that got away.
1986 California Angels-
Did someone just mention Gene Mauch? Oh yes, the team that was oh so close to winning the ALCS and going to their first ever World Series. You've got to feel for these guys, just like the '86 Red Sox in the Series itself.
1997 Philadelphia Phillies-
I figure I should pick at least one stinker in the group, and this is it. Terry Francona's first year as a manager proves that even I could have managed the 2004 Red Sox to the World Series. Two good things: Scott Rolen, still loved by Philadelphia and Curt Schilling going 17-10. Their CF is listed as Midre Cummings...I've never heard that name in my life!
1992 Philadelphia Phillies-
Couldn't have gone from worst to first without being worst first, right? Well, here you go. They had some good offense, but if it wasn't good, it was really, really bad. Plus, having Kyle Abbot go 1-14 is never good for a pitching staff.
1918 Chicago Cubs-
Here's the reason why those "19-18!" chants existed until 2004. This team lost to the Red Sox in the 1918 Series on the arms of three solid pitchers and little else. Their leading home run hitter was Max Clarke, with a grand total of 4.
1959 Chicago White Sox-
The last White Sox team to make the World Series before this year, the "Go-Go" Sox were led by Aparicio and Fox on offense and Shaw and Wynn from the mound. An overall solid team, they just ran into the buzzsaw that was the L.A. Dodgers.
1996 Texas Rangers-
Look, a team not in Chicago or Philly not named the Yankees! This was an absolutely solid team. Juan Gone winning the MVP, Pudge, Will the Thrill...even Rusty Greer and Dean Palmer had solid seasons! Plus, with 5 pitchers with double digit wins, their staff wasn't half bad, either, despite the ERA and lack of a solid closer.
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