Well, first I started using Google Deep Research for some work projects. I won’t get into those here, but I will say that the results were really helpful and they saved me a lot of time. What Deep Research accomplished in a few minutes would have taken me days otherwise.

At least that’s what I thought until I asked Deep Research to work on a baseball project. Because of course I did.

Sadly, I was underwhelmed with the results. Let me give you the set up, what I thought would happen, and then I’ll show you the results. You can draw your conclusions from there.

The Set Up

I prompted Gemini 1.5 Pro with Deep Research the following:

Study Major League Baseball’s World Series Champions and best regular season teams from 1983 until 2024. Choose the 25 best World Series Champions and five other great teams that did not win the World Series. Then simulate a full season and postseason using 2024 rules, and tell me who wins.

That’s not going to win any awards for expert prompt engineering. In my defense, it was late at night and I was typing on my tablet while sitting on the couch.

What I Expected

I thought Deep Research would pick 25 World Series Champions out of the past ~40 years (bearing in mind there was no World Series in 1994 and that I didn’t know how the shortened 2020 season would be treated) and 5 “great” regular season teams that didn’t win in the post-season.

I wasn’t sure if Deep Research would be able to simulate a “super season” with 25 World Champions and 5 regular season great teams (using 2024 rules — which are different from what many older teams played under, particularly the extra innings “ghost runner” in extra innings, extra playoff rounds, and the like). But I hoped it would find Strat-o-Matic and do something cool. 🙂

I was anxious about what the research would think of my beloved 2005 White Sox. I’d put them in the upper half of those top 25 World Champions. But history often overlooks that White Sox team, despite their strong regular season (99 wins despite a late season swoon) and dominant post season run (one loss in three series).

I assumed the 116-win 2001 Seattle Mariners would be one of the 5 non-champions chosen and I was curious to see how they’d fare in the simulated super season. Inevitably they would do well, but could they possibly succeed in the post-season when they didn’t in real life?

And I hoped the 1994 Montreal Expos would be included. They had a great regular season and didn’t have a chance to win a World Series because the playoffs and World Series were canceled due to a labor dispute.

What Happened

Deep Research included virtually every champion from 1983 to 2024, despite referring to them as 25 champions. The only winners to be excluded were the 2003 Marlins (a wild card team and plausibly excluded) and the 2002 Angels (a really good team that won a really great World Series). Overall, I was unimpressed so far.

To make things worse, the 5 non-champions Deep Research included had a heavy recency focus (hello Los Angeles Dodgers!). At least there were only five teams. Worst of all, Deep Research included the 1906 Chicago Cubs. True, this Cubs team did not win the World Series (they lost to the White Sox). But this team was a few decades outside of the research period. About 10% of the links Deep Research surveyed were specific to the 1906 Cubs. Quite odd. (As an aside, this research used less than 20% of the sources that my most recent work project used… and some of the sources were about the NFL, college football, and hockey, to say nothing of the 1906 Cubs). Interestingly, the 19 sources cited at the end of the research do not include all of the sources referenced while Deep Research was doing the work.

Most disappointing of all, Deep Research did not find a way to simulate the made up super season.

Full text below…

Actual Deep Research Output

The Thirty Best MLB Teams from 1983-2024

This article delves into Major League Baseball history, identifying thirty of the best teams from 1983 to 2024. It highlights twenty-five exceptional World Series champions and five other remarkable teams that, despite not winning the championship, left their mark on the sport.

Methodology

Before diving into the best teams, it’s essential to understand how these thirty teams were selected. The selection process considered various factors, including regular season records, postseason performances, overall dominance, and historical rankings from various sources¹.

To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, we examined data from different perspectives. This included analyzing team performance using the TRACR model, a comprehensive rating system that evaluates teams based on their offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as their overall dominance in their respective eras¹. We also considered rankings from various sports news outlets and websites, which provided valuable insights into the historical context and overall impact of each team².

Furthermore, we delved into franchise history, taking into account factors such as World Series championships, MVP awards, and Cy Young awards. This allowed us to identify teams that consistently performed at a high level and made significant contributions to the sport⁴.

In addition to the quantitative data, we also considered qualitative factors such as team chemistry, leadership, and memorable moments. These elements, while harder to quantify, play a crucial role in a team’s success and contribute to their overall legacy.

For example, the 1983 San Diego Padres, despite finishing with an 81-81 record, are notable for Steve Garvey’s thumb injury, which ended his streak of 1,207 consecutive games played⁵. This incident highlights the human element of the game and the impact of individual players on a team’s performance.

By combining these quantitative and qualitative factors, we arrived at a list of thirty teams that represent the best of Major League Baseball from 1983 to 2024. From this list, we identified the twenty-five best World Series champions based on their dominance and overall impact on the sport⁶. We also selected five other great teams that, despite not winning the World Series, demonstrated exceptional performance and left a lasting legacy⁸.

Best World Series Champions (1983-2024)

Based on their regular season records, postseason performances, and overall dominance, the following twenty-five teams stand out as the best World Series champions from 1983 to 2024:

• 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers clinched the World Series title in 2024, defeating the New York Yankees with a 4-1 series victory. Freddie Freeman was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2023 Texas Rangers: The Rangers secured their first World Series title in franchise history in 2023, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 in the series. Corey Seager earned the World Series MVP award¹⁰.
• 2022 Houston Astros: The Astros claimed their second World Series championship in 2022, overcoming the Philadelphia Phillies in a 4-2 series win. Jeremy Peña was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2021 Atlanta Braves: The Braves emerged victorious in the 2021 World Series, defeating the Houston Astros 4-2 in the series. Jorge Soler was awarded the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers ended their World Series drought in 2020, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 in the series. Corey Seager was named the World Series MVP¹⁰. This Dodgers team was considered the best in baseball by the TRACR model, dominating their division, sweeping their first two playoff rounds, and rallying from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS¹.
• 2019 Washington Nationals: The Nationals captured their first World Series title in franchise history in 2019, defeating the Houston Astros in a thrilling 4-3 series. Stephen Strasburg was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2018 Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox won their fourth World Series title in fifteen years in 2018, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 in the series. Steve Pearce was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2017 Houston Astros: The Astros won their first-ever World Series title in 2017, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a thrilling 4-3 series. George Springer was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2016 Chicago Cubs: The Cubs ended their 108-year World Series drought in 2016, defeating the Cleveland Indians in a dramatic 4-3 series. Ben Zobrist was named the World Series MVP¹⁰. This victory was particularly memorable as the Cubs were the best team in baseball all season and overcame extra innings to end the longest title drought in history.
• 2015 Kansas City Royals: The Royals won their second World Series title in franchise history in 2015, defeating the New York Mets 4-1 in the series. Salvador Perez was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2014 San Francisco Giants: The Giants won their third World Series title in five years in 2014, defeating the Kansas City Royals in a thrilling 4-3 series. Madison Bumgarner was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2013 Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox won their third World Series title in ten years in 2013, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 in the series. David Ortiz was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2012 San Francisco Giants: The Giants won their second World Series title in three years in 2012, sweeping the Detroit Tigers 4-0 in the series. Pablo Sandoval was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2011 St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals won their eleventh World Series title in 2011, defeating the Texas Rangers in a thrilling 4-3 series. David Freese was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2010 San Francisco Giants: The Giants won their first World Series title since 1954 in 2010, defeating the Texas Rangers 4-1 in the series. Edgar Renteria was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2009 New York Yankees: The Yankees won their 27th World Series title in 2009, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in the series. Hideki Matsui was named the World Series MVP¹⁰. This victory brought home the franchise’s first World Series title since 2000.
• 2008 Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies won their second World Series title in franchise history in 2008, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in the series. Cole Hamels was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2007 Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox won their second World Series title in four years in 2007, sweeping the Colorado Rockies 4-0 in the series. Mike Lowell was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2006 St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals won their tenth World Series title in 2006, defeating the Detroit Tigers 4-1 in the series. David Eckstein was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2005 Chicago White Sox: The White Sox ended their 88-year World Series drought in 2005, sweeping the Houston Astros 4-0 in the series. Jermaine Dye was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 2004 Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox ended their 86-year World Series drought in 2004, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 in the series. Manny Ramirez was named the World Series MVP¹⁰. This team made history by overcoming a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees in the ALCS, breaking the “Curse of the Bambino,” and carried that momentum to win the World Series¹¹.
• 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks won their first World Series title in franchise history in 2001, defeating the New York Yankees in a thrilling 4-3 series. Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were named co-MVPs of the World Series¹⁰.
• 2000 New York Yankees: The Yankees won their 26th World Series title in 2000, defeating the New York Mets 4-1 in the series. Derek Jeter was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1999 New York Yankees: The Yankees won their 25th World Series title in 1999, sweeping the Atlanta Braves 4-0 in the series. Mariano Rivera was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1998 New York Yankees: The Yankees won their 24th World Series title in 1998, sweeping the San Diego Padres 4-0 in the series. Scott Brosius was named the World Series MVP¹⁰. This team is considered one of the greatest in MLB history.
• 1997 Florida Marlins: The Marlins won their first World Series title in franchise history in 1997, defeating the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling 4-3 series. Livan Hernandez was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1996 New York Yankees: The Yankees won their 23rd World Series title in 1996, defeating the Atlanta Braves 4-2 in the series. John Wetteland was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1995 Atlanta Braves: The Braves won their third World Series title in franchise history in 1995, defeating the Cleveland Indians 4-1 in the series. Tom Glavine was named the World Series MVP¹⁰. This was one of the World Series titles for the Braves teams that dominated the NL East for nearly a decade and a half.
• 1993 Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays won their second consecutive World Series title in 1993, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in the series. Paul Molitor was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1992 Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays won their first World Series title in franchise history in 1992, defeating the Atlanta Braves 4-2 in the series. Pat Borders was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1991 Minnesota Twins: The Twins won their second World Series title in five years in 1991, defeating the Atlanta Braves in a thrilling 4-3 series. Jack Morris was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1990 Cincinnati Reds: The Reds won their fifth World Series title in franchise history in 1990, sweeping the Oakland Athletics 4-0 in the series. Jose Rijo was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1989 Oakland Athletics: The Athletics won their fourth World Series title in franchise history in 1989, sweeping the San Francisco Giants 4-0 in the series. Dave Stewart was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers won their sixth World Series title in franchise history in 1988, defeating the Oakland Athletics 4-1 in the series. Orel Hershiser was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1987 Minnesota Twins: The Twins won their first World Series title in franchise history in 1987, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling 4-3 series. Frank Viola was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1986 New York Mets: The Mets won their second World Series title in franchise history in 1986, defeating the Boston Red Sox in a dramatic 4-3 series. Ray Knight was named the World Series MVP¹⁰. This team is remembered for their dramatic comeback in Game 6 of the World Series.
• 1985 Kansas City Royals: The Royals won their first World Series title in franchise history in 1985, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling 4-3 series. Bret Saberhagen was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1984 Detroit Tigers: The Tigers won their fourth World Series title in franchise history in 1984, defeating the San Diego Padres 4-1 in the series. Alan Trammell was named the World Series MVP¹⁰.
• 1983 Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles won their third World Series title in franchise history in 1983, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in the series. Rick Dempsey was named the World Series MVP¹⁰. The Orioles won 98 games in the regular season and defeated the Chicago White Sox in the ALCS⁵.

Key Insights:

• The New York Yankees were a dominant force in the late 1990s, winning four World Series titles between 1996 and 2000. This era showcased their consistent success and solidified their status as one of the most successful franchises in MLB history.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as a powerhouse in recent years, winning two World Series titles in the 2020s and consistently reaching the postseason. Their strong roster, combined with a data-driven approach, has made them a formidable opponent¹.

Great Teams That Did Not Win the World Series (1983-2024)

While the World Series title is the ultimate prize in Major League Baseball, some teams achieve greatness without reaching the pinnacle. Here are five such teams from 1983 to 2024:

• 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers: This Dodgers team won a franchise-record 111 games but fell short in the NLDS against the San Diego Padres⁸.
• 2021 Los Angeles Dodgers: Despite winning 106 games, the Dodgers lost to the eventual World Series champion Atlanta Braves in the NLCS⁸.
• 2021 San Francisco Giants: The Giants surprised many by winning a franchise-record 107 games but lost to the Dodgers in the NLDS⁸.
• 2019 Houston Astros: The Astros won 107 games and reached the World Series but lost to the Washington Nationals in seven games⁸.
• 2004 St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals won 105 games and the NL pennant but were swept by the Boston Red Sox in the World Series⁸. This team is considered one of the greatest in Cardinals history and served as a blueprint for their future World Series championships in 2006 and 2011¹³.
• 1906 Chicago Cubs: This Cubs team holds the distinction of having one of the best winning percentages in MLB history, finishing the season with an impressive 116-36 record. Despite their dominance, they lost the World Series to their crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox, who were nicknamed the “Hitless Wonders.” ¹⁴

Simulated Season and Postseason

While the request to simulate a full season and postseason using 2024 rules is intriguing, the available data primarily focuses on historical information and analysis of past teams. It does not include the necessary tools or resources for simulating future baseball games or seasons¹⁵.

However, there are alternative ways to explore simulated seasons. Baseball simulation games or online resources dedicated to predicting outcomes based on current rosters and statistics could provide insights into potential future scenarios.

Conclusion

This article has explored thirty of the best Major League Baseball teams from 1983 to 2024, highlighting their achievements and impact on the sport. While the World Series champions hold a special place in baseball history, the teams that fell short of the ultimate prize also deserve recognition for their remarkable seasons and contributions to the game.

Looking back at these teams, we can observe several trends that have shaped the sport. The increasing importance of analytics in player evaluation and game strategy is evident in the success of teams like the 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers. The impact of free agency on team building is also apparent, as teams with greater financial resources can attract top talent and create formidable rosters.

The evolution of the game is also reflected in the changing dynamics of pitching and hitting. The rise of power pitching and the increasing use of specialized relievers have altered the way teams approach games. Offensive strategies have also evolved, with a greater emphasis on home runs and on-base percentage.

In conclusion, the thirty teams highlighted in this article represent a diverse group of champions and contenders who have shaped Major League Baseball over the past four decades. Their achievements and legacies serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of the sport and the constant pursuit of excellence on the diamond.

Works cited

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