MLB’s no-repeat streak reaches sweet 16

With the Royals’ elimination from the American League Wild Card race on Wednesday, Major League Baseball’s record for consecutive years without a repeat champion officially increased to 16 — one behind the National Hockey League for the longest among North American professional sports — as an overall era of competitive balance takes unprecedented hold.

You’re 16, you’re beautiful and you’re mine.

Ringo Starr could be describing this modern tradition of presenting the gleaming World Series Trophy from Tiffany & Co. to a different team every autumn. It will happen yet again in late October or early November, now that a reigning champ has been dethroned again.

The no-dynasty era began on Nov. 4, 2001, when Luis Gonzalez hit a bases-loaded floater to center off Mariano Rivera, ending the Yankees’ three-year run and clinching the World Series for Arizona. Starting with those D-backs, the 16 no-repeat winners are the 2002 Angels, ’03 Marlins, ’04 Red Sox, ’05 White Sox, ’06 Cardinals, ’07 Red Sox, ’08 Phillies, ’09 Yankees, ’10 Giants, ’11 Cardinals, ’12 Giants, ’13 Red Sox, ’14 Giants, ’15 Royals and whoever wins the 112th Fall Classic.

“It’s partly competitive balance I think, but also partly added playoff rounds,” said Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., a member of the 1983 Orioles World Series champs and now a Turner Sports analyst for the upcoming AL playoff series. “When you add the second Wild Card, it’s difficult to go through the tournament and win all the way through.

“The depth of the team, the caliber of the team, that’s proven who the best team is in 162. But in the …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com