Major League Baseball 21st Century World Series Champions, Ranked: 2022 Astros Are No. 3
As of October 22, 2025, the ranking of World Series champions since the year 2000 has placed the 2022 Astros at an impressive No. 3. But how did the Astros land in this ranking among the 25 champions?
The journey of the Astros is nothing short of remarkable. Their transformation from being one of the worst teams in baseball to winning the championship does not quite capture the extent of their earlier struggles in the decade. The reputation of the team took a hit due to the sign-stealing scandal that shook Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2020, leading to punishments for the organization and the dismissal of several top executives.
The 2022 season proved to be a redemption arc for the club. While some familiar faces from the 2017 championship team, such as Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander, remained on the roster, a new core of talent emerged okbet 168.com login. 377 jili casino login philippines The beloved Dusty Baker took the reins as manager, bringing his experience and leadership to the team. Yordan Alvarez, 25, led the squad in wins above replacement (WAR), with Jeremy Pena, 24, ranking fourth among position players. Kyle Tucker, in his 25-year-old season, contributed significantly with 30 home runs, placing him second in the team’s stats. Alvarez earned a Silver Slugger award, while Tucker secured a Gold Glove and received some MVP votes. Pena not only finished fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year race but also won a Gold Glove himself. The departure of key players like Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Yuli Gurriel did not hinder their performance. ta777
The pitching rotation displayed remarkable depth as well. Cristian Javier pitched 148.2 innings with an impressive 2 jili ph.54 ERA, and Framber Valdez built on a promising 2021 season with an AL-leading 201.1 innings and a 2.82 ERA. Orchestrating this rotation was the ageless Verlander, who at 39 years old delivered one of the best seasons in history for a starting pitcher of his age. He led the majors with an astonishing 1.75 ERA, park- and league-adjusted ERA+ of 218, topped the AL with 18 wins and an .818 winning percentage, and clinched the AL Cy Young award. Although he may not have pitched as many innings as in his younger days, like any of his previous seasons, 2022 was among his finest. Verlander is undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer, marking a truly extraordinary year. Coupled with closer Ryne Stanek’s impressive 1.15 ERA, it becomes clear why the Astros operated like a well-oiled machine.
During the regular season, Houston notched an impressive 106 wins, exhibiting their dominance for long stretches. They had a winning streak of 11 games at one point and managed to secure an 18-game lead over the second-place Mariners, the highest lead of the season. Although Seattle also performed well with 90 wins, they still finished 16 games behind the Astros. Houston’s record included a solid performance against their division rivals, going 12-7 against the Mariners and Athletics, 13-6 against the Angels, and 14-5 against the Rangers, showcasing their ability to take charge in their division.
However, their success wasn’t just limited to regular season victories. Their American League rivals in the postseason quickly realized Houston’s strength when they swept both the Mariners and the 99-win Yankees hp 365 casino. While the Phillies managed to take two games from them in the Fall Classic, the Astros showcased their resilience by winning Games 4, 5, and 6 collectively by a score of 12-3.
Do you agree with the ranking of the 2022 Astros among the best World Series champions of the 21st century?
