Franchise Ball News

The Top Teams of Each Decade

Jan 21st 2020 By Los Angeles Lions

As we head into a new decade in real-time, I thought it’d be cool to dig through the archives and figure out who was the top dog in every Franchise Ball decade. Let’s get started!

Decade I (Seasons 1-10): Tampa Thunder Doggs.
World Titles in Decade: 1 (S10)
League Titles in Decade: 5 (S4, S5, S7, S9, S10)
Division Titles in Decade: 10 (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10)
When Franchise Ball was just getting started, the Tampa Thunder Doggs were the top dogs (literally!) No team won more than one world title in this decade, but the T-Doggs’ remarkable haul of 5 league titles and 10 division titles in the first 10 seasons of Franchise Ball earns them the status as Top Doggs of Decade I.

Decade II (Seasons 11-20): Seattle Marvols.
World Titles in Decade: 1 (S18)
League Titles in Decade: 6 (S11, S15, S16, S17, S18, S19)
Division Titles in Decade: 9 (S11, S12, S13, S14, S15, S16, S17, S18, S19)
It was tough to choose between the Marvols and the Madison Players, who had 2 world titles in the decade, making them the first 2-time WS champion in Franchise Ball. The Players had 4 league titles and 5 division titles. The Marvols, though, with their 6 league titles and 9 division titles, were dominant for the majority of this decade, and added a World Series title in S18.

Decade III (Seasons 21-30): Tampa Thunder Doggs.
World Titles in Decade: 1  (S26)
League Titles in Decade: 2 (S26, S28)
Division Titles in Decade: 6 (S25, S26, S27, S28, S29, S30)
There weren’t any teams that truly dominated this decade the way the Players or Marvols did in Decade II, but the Thunder Doggs seemed to be in the World Series an awful lot. They won it all in S26 and also made it to the WS in S28, where they lost to the New York Nitro. They also scooped 6 division titles in this decade.

Decade IV (Seasons 31-40): Chicago Dolphins.
World Titles in Decade: 2 (S33, S40)
League Titles in Decade: 5 (S31, S33, S38, S39, S40)
Division Titles in Decade: 10 (S31, S32, S33, S34, S35, S36, S37, S38, S39, S40)
It’s ridiculous just how good the Dolphins were. This decade was truly the start of their legacy, with them picking up two world titles, 5 league titles, and a ridiculous 10 division titles. The Dolphins were always in the playoffs, and usually they stayed alive in the playoffs for a while. This team was special.

Decade V (Seasons 41-50): Chicago Dolphins.
World Titles in Decade: 2 (S42, S43)
League Titles in Decade: 3 (S42, S43, S49)
Division Titles in Decade: 8 (S41, S42, S43, S44, S45, S47, S49, S50)
Could it be anyone else? The Dolphins were absolutely unstoppable in the early 40s, and if Season 40 was included in this decade, the Dolphins could have had 3 World Titles in one decade. The first back-to-back World Series winner in Franchise Ball history (and one of the only two teams to do it), the Dolphins were astounding in the early 40s. They picked up 3 league titles and 8 division titles during this decade as well.

Decade VI (Seasons 51-60): Cincinnati Reds.
World Titles in Decade: 2 (S51, S59)
League Titles in Decade: 3 (S51, S53, S59)
Division Titles in Decade: 6 (S51, S52, S53, S54, S58, S59)
The Reds won 2 World Titles in the 50s and won 49 or more games in both of their championship-winning seasons. They also scooped 3 league titles and 6 division titles. There is no doubt about it, this decade is where the Reds built their dynasty.

Decade VII (Seasons 61-70): Spokane Warriors.
World Titles in Decade: 2 (S68, S69)
League Titles in Decade: 3 (S68, S69, S70)
Division Titles in Decade: 10 (S61, S62, S63, S64, S65, S66, S67, S68, S69, S70)
I really wanted to give the Smoke Eaters some recognition for this decade, but the Warriors made the World Series in the last three seasons of this decade (and won two of them), which made the decision pretty easy. Only the Dolphins have also won two consecutive World Series titles, and the Warriors are the only team to make a WS appearance in three consecutive seasons. This decade was also crucial to them eventually tying the Dolphins with FOUR WS titles. Plus, 3 league titles and 10 division titles isn’t bad either. Take a bow, Warriors.

Decade VIII (Seasons 71-80): Peoria Destroyers.
World Titles in Decade: 1 (S72)
League Titles in Decade: 4 (S72, S76, S77, S78)
Division Titles in Decade: 10 (S71, S72, S73, S74, S75, S76, S77, S78, S79, S80)
This decade was a tough decision, the Baltimore Orioles made 2 WS appearances with one win, and so did the Chicago WINNERS. But in the end, I went for the Destroyers because they OWNED the Theta Premier League in the late 70s. Most of the teams on this list racked up league and division titles in a relatively easy league, but not the Destroyers. Four league titles in the Theta Premier, and 10 division titles? Wow. Also, bonus points for their other team, the Yonkers River Rats, winning a WS in season 75.

Congratulations to all the teams that earned recognition! If you’re not on the list, don’t worry...a new decade starts this season! Maybe it’s your turn to write your name in the history books of Franchise Ball.

Good luck to everyone in the playoffs!

News Conversation
Great job!
3 years ago
Lions : 
Thanks so much, Flamethrowers! Not sure how I didn't see this comment until now, but thanks, it means a lot :)
4 years ago