Does The Best Team Always Win?

Can Dan Black (right) and the Dash defend their top regular season record? (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).

That’s the question people are asking in advance of the Dash’s showdown with Myrtle Beach in the Southern Division Championship Series.

In short, recent history is not on the Dash’s side as they embark upon their postseason journey after posting full-season minor league baseball’s best record in the regular season. Since 2005, only three of the seven teams have followed up the top record with a championship run.

Here is the breakdown of the top minor league squads since 2005, which includes the club’s playoff record:

2011: San Antonio (Double-A, SD) – 94-46
Won Texas League championship (6-1)

2010: Great Lakes (Low-A, LAD) – 90-49
Lost Midwest League semifinals (3-3)

2009: Fort Wayne (Low-A, SD) – 94-46
Won Midwest League championship (7-2)

2008: Augusta (Low-A, SF) – 88-50
Won South Atlantic League championship (5-0)

2007: Augusta (Low-A, SF) – 89-51
Lost South Atlantic League semifinals (0-2)

2006: Augusta (Low-A, SF) – 92-47
Lost South Atlantic League championship (3-3)

2005: Lakeland (High-A, DET) – 85-48
Lost Florida State League championship (4-3)

A few observations:

• These teams combined for a 28-14 (.667) record during the playoffs, and five of the seven teams reached their league’s championship series. However, only three ended up winning the crown.

• Not only did the Dash become the first American League affiliate since 2005 to post the top record in full-season minor league baseball, but the National League West had a stranglehold on this honor from 2006-11.

• And how about Augusta!?! The club went three straight years with the best record in the minors, but the Greenjackets only claimed one South Atlantic League crown.

- Brian