What is the Best MLB Season of All Time?

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 13 November 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

See Full Bio

Twitter X

Тhe Best MLB Season

• MLB Best Season Ever
• Best Ever Regular Season MLB
• The Strike-Shortened 1994
• The Fan-Pleasing 1982
• The M&M Boys of 1961
• The Flashy Feats of 1988
• The Dramatic 1951
• The Miracle Mets of 1969
• The Underdog Story of 1991
• The Comeback Yanks of 1978
• The Historic 1941
• The Record-Breaking 1998
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re a baseball fanatic, you’ve landed in the right place. In today’s blog, we’re looking at the best MLB season ever – diving deep into the best seasons that had us all on the edges of our seats. We’ll cover jaw-dropping performances to off-the-field drama – so let’s get into it!

MLB Best Season Ever

When it comes to Major League Baseball, every season has its moments. But some seasons stand head and shoulders above the rest. We’re talking about seasons that had it all: star players at the top of their games, nail-biting playoff races, and incredible comebacks even a psychic couldn’t have predicted! However – there are also some notable seasons for the wrong reasons – and we’ll be covering all these today in our blog on the MLB: best season ever rundown!

Best Ever Regular Season MLB

The MLB regular season is a long grind, but any fan will know that no matter how slow the season seems to be moving – all of a sudden, it’s the end of the season and the playoffs are in full swing!

When it comes to the best ever regular season MLB, there’s a lot to consider. On this page, we’re going to walk you through some of our favorite seasons – although not all are as you may expect, so see if you can spot which ones look a bit out of place!

By the way, if you’re here to find out about betting on MLB, make sure to check out our top betting apps with MLB markets. All these bookmakers have been hand-picked by our team of sports betting experts and offer some of the best odds around!

The Strike-Shortened 1994

The 1994 MLB season was a heartbreaker for fans and players alike. Tony Gwynn was on the verge of hitting .400, something not accomplished since Ted Williams in 1941. Matt Williams was chasing Roger Maris’ home run record, and the Montreal Expos were looking like a championship team.

The season looked set to be action-packed – and then came the players’ strike, stopping the season in its tracks and leaving baseball fans wondering what the heck was going on. Unfortunately, not only did the strike cut short the chance of individual player records – it also left the Expos’ dream season unfinished.

They had the best record in MLB and were looking to make their second playoff appearance ever. Adding to the “what could have been” narrative was Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers, who threw a perfect game just two weeks before the season was cut short. However, in an attempt to look back at the season fondly, here are some key highlights and achievements from the season before it was cut short:

The Fan-Pleasing 1982

In 1981 there was also a strike – causing the cancellation of 713 games – which equates to a whopping 38% of the league’s total that season! As a result, fans and players alike were keen to make 1982 the best season yet – and there are few who can disagree with those who say they over delivered.

Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock’s single-season stolen base record with a staggering 130 steals, while Cal Ripken Jr. started his iconic streak of 2,632 consecutive games played; a record that still stands today, by the way!

The Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves won their divisions on the last day of the season, and The World Series was a classic showdown between the Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals came back from a deficit to win Game 7, making it not just a season to remember – but a game, too.

The M&M Boys of 1961

The 1961 season is considered by many to be the best MLB season of all time – and it was an incredible watch for those following the game closely. The home run race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris captured the nation’s attention, and Maris eventually broke Babe Ruth’s long-standing record by hitting 61 home runs.

But that was just the beginning; Willie Mays also had an incredible season, hitting four home runs in a single game against the Milwaukee Braves. Braves pitcher Warren Spahn threw a no-hitter, winning his 300th game, and the New York Yankees, led by Maris and Mantle, defeated the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series in just five games, making it one of the most memorable years in MLB history.

The Flashy Feats of 1988

The 1988 MLB season was a year of remarkable individual achievements. Jose Canseco became the first player to join the 40-40 club, hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases. Tom Browning didn’t wait long before setting a record of his own – he managed to pitch a perfect game, which, at the time, was only the 12th in MLB history! Shortly after, Dennis Eckersley stepped into the spotlight by making a staggering 45 saves – and if there were any doubts about this being an individual season of achievement, that should quell those doubts!

Jeff Reardon also made history by becoming the first reliever to record 40 saves in both the American and National Leagues. But, for many, the defining moment came in the World Series. An injured Kirk Gibson stumbled to the plate and hit a walk-off home run in Game 1 against the Oakland Athletics, which then set the stage for the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series in five games. It was an incredible season filled with surprising twists and turns – and it’s one that won’t be forgotten any time soon!

The Dramatic 1951

The 1951 MLB season was filled with drama and suspense, especially in the National League. The New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers ended the regular season tied for first place, forcing a three-game playoff. The climax came in Game 3 when Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson managed to claim an impressive three-run home run, which ended up being coined as the “Shot Heard Round the World.”

On the pitching side, New York Yankees pitcher Allie Reynolds also had a pretty bold claim to fame; he became the first MLB player in history to throw two no-hitters in the same season – and it was a season full of action, from start to finish. The Giants eventually lost to the Yankees in the World Series, but the season remains one of the most dramatic and exciting in MLB history.

The Miracle Mets of 1969

The 1969 season was – for many fans – a miracle for the New York Mets. The team had never had a winning season before and started off the year with a very underwhelming 18-23 record. But then, out of nowhere, something clicked, and the Mets went on an incredible run, finishing the season with a record of 100-62.

They not only won the NL East but also swept the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series. The “Miracle Mets” then faced the clear bookmaker favorites – the Baltimore Orioles – in the World Series and ended up smashing them in five games!

The Underdog Story of 1991

The 1991 MLB season was a year where underdogs showed they cannot be ignored. Both the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins had finished in last place in their divisions the year before in 1990 – and this led most to speculate the 1991 season would largely be a repeat. However, both teams went on to defy odds by facing one another in what many sports experts call the all time best MLB season finish in history.

Three of the seven games went into extra innings, and Game 7 was a nail-biter that ended in a 1-0 win for the Twins, thanks to a 10-inning shutout pitched by Jack Morris. The season also saw Rickey Henderson break Lou Brock’s career stolen base record and Cecil Fielder hit a home run that completely left Milwaukee County Stadium. Seven no-hitters were thrown, adding to the season’s list of surprises!

The Comeback Yanks of 1978

The 1978 season was a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees. The team was 14 games behind the Boston Red Sox and was dealing with issues behind the scenes, including the suspension of Reggie Jackson and the resignation of manager Billy Martin.

However, the Yankees pulled together and made a stunning comeback to tie the Red Sox at the end of the regular season. The tiebreaker game is best remembered for Bucky Dent’s unexpected three-run homer that gave the Yankees the lead.

They went on to win the World Series, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games, completing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in baseball history!

The Historic 1941

The 1941 MLB season was a year of iconic achievements, many of which still stand or garner respect – even today. Ted Williams became the last player to hit over .400 in a season, while Joe DiMaggio had a 56-game hitting streak, another record that has yet to be broken.

What’s more, the 1941 season was the last MLB season to be played before the US officially entered World War II. This was seen as a historic season – and while the achievements may not be quite as impressive as some of the other seasons we’ve looked at, they’re noteworthy for the reasons we’ve just covered.

The Record-Breaking 1998

The 1998 MLB season was a turning point for baseball, after declining viewership figures and a drop in popularity. Thankfully, the 1998 season changed all of this – and it was so successful and popular, it brought the nation back to the game – in record numbers!

The home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa was the headline story, but the season was filled with other remarkable performances that can’t be ignored either. Ken Griffey Jr. hit 56 home runs – which also included the 300th of his career – while Alex Rodriguez joined the 40-40 club.

Barry Bonds intentionally walked with the bases loaded, a rare strategic move – but one that worked – and on the pitching side of things, David Wells threw a perfect game, placing himself into the record books. Additionally, Kerry Wood struck out 20 batters in a game, and the New York Yankees capped off this incredible season by defeating the San Diego Padres in the World Series.