Sports and lists go hand in hand. So do trading cards and lists. That's why I never tire of reading fellow bloggers' "list" posts and writing them myself.
Each year Night Owl creates his 30 Teams post where he ranks all 30 MLB teams from his favorite to his least favorite. I've attempted to sit down and do this myself on a few occasions, but have failed miserably. It's easy for me to point out teams I like and don't like, but ranking the middle ten to fifteen teams become a nightmare.
My solution? Wait until the MLB reaches the divisional series of the playoffs when there are only eight teams remaining. It still wasn't easy picking between the Astros and Dodgers or the Rays and Braves, but I managed to hammer it out and finalize my list.
So without further ado, here are my Elite Eight team rankings based on how well I like them...
#8: New York Yankees
2014 Topps Chrome #10
The Yankees have enough hardware to last my lifetime. I cannot imagine a situation where I would root for them in a World Series.
As for the cards in this post... I paired up each team with an active player from that franchise that I enjoy collecting or at the very least resides in one of my PC's.
#7: Houston Astros
2017 Topps Definitive Collection Autographed Relic #ARC-JA
I originally had the Dodgers penciled in at this spot, but when I broke things down and asked myself who I would root for if they met the Astros in the World Series, I chose the Dodgers. Sure hope my brother doesn't read this post.
#6: Los Angeles Dodgers
2010 Allen and Ginter Framed Autograph #AGA-CK
If you had to pick a National League version of the New York Yankees... the Dodgers would at the very least be in the discussion. The franchise isn't afraid to spend money and the team they've assembled is locked, loaded, and primed to win this year's World Series. That being said... I won't be rooting for them unless they're playing the Yankees or the Astros. (which after yesterday might just be the case).
#5: Florida Marlins
2020 Topps Chrome #82
I just looked at the Marlins roster on Baseball Reference thirty seconds ago and recognized about a dozen names. But if you asked me to name them right now, I couldn't. Starling Marte, Jordan Yamamoto, Matt Joyce, and Brian Anderson. Yup. That's all I've got. Hard to root for a team I really know nothing about.
#4: Tampa Bay Rays
2016 Five Star Autograph #FSA-BSN
I really, really wanted to put these guys ahead of the Braves... since they're one of six franchises that have never won a World Series title. But I grew up watching the Atlanta Braves on TBS and I'd wouldn't mind seeing Freddie Freeman win a ring.
#3: Atlanta Braves
2013 Five Star Autographs #FSBA-FF
If the A's and Padres are knocked out... I'll be rooting for the Braves and Rays. And like I mentioned above... it'd be close, but ultimately I'm gonna go with Team TBS and my childhood.
#2: San Diego Padres
2019 Stadium Club Autographs #SCA-FTA
The San Diego Padres have been my favorite National League team since the mid 80's. I remember watching one of the World Series games in PE with everyone rooting for the Detroit Tigers... which led me to cheering for the Padres. Within a year or two, I had become a huge Tony Gwynn fan and the rest is history.
#1: Oakland A's
2019 Stadium Club Autographs #SCA-RL
The Oakland A's have been my favorite baseball team for as long as I can remember. Although I'll be rooting for the A's and Padres, my wallet says the Rays (please bounce back and beat the Yankees) and Dodgers will be battling it out in a few weeks. And if/when they do... according to my rankings... I'll be rooting for the Rays.
Thank you for taking the time to read my "list" post. And fellow bloggers, just know that I will never tire of reading yours. #listpostsrule
If you have any suggestions for future "list" posts, please write them down below in the comment section and I'll try my best to build it for you.
Happy Tuesday and sayonara!
