Some MLB franchises are like that one friend who won’t stop bringing up their high school glory days. Sure, they had a moment in the sun, but it’s been a while since anything new has happened, and they can’t stop living in the past.
From teams that dominated decades ago to ones that won a title and never stopped talking about it, these franchises cling tightly to the good old days. Whether it’s dusty banners, former legends paraded around the ballpark, or a fanbase that still chants about moments from the ’80s, here are 15 MLB teams that desperately need to move on.
15. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles still romanticize their 1983 World Series win like it happened last week. Despite recent signs of life, the franchise still leans on memories of Cal Ripken Jr. to keep fans warm.
14. New York Mets
Mets fans will never stop talking about 1986, even if you beg them to. Every season starts with hope and ends with a reminder that “at least we beat the Red Sox that one time.”
13. Cincinnati Reds
The Big Red Machine will forever be the gold standard in Cincinnati. But the longer they lean on those 1970s highlights, the harder it is to believe they’ll build anything close to that again.
12. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers love to remind everyone about 1968 and 1984, as if they happened yesterday. And don’t even get them started on Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown—it’s treated like a championship.
11. San Francisco Giants
Winning three titles in five years was impressive, no doubt. But they still treat those early 2010s teams like the dynasty is alive and well, even when sitting in fourth place.
10. Oakland Athletics
The A’s act like they’re still living in the Moneyball movie. It’s all clever budget strategies and 1989 nostalgia, with little success since.
9. Chicago White Sox
The South Side hasn’t let go of 2005 for one second. They believe they bought a lifetime pass to relevance with that one ring.
8. Kansas City Royals
That 2015 title run was magical, but it’s been up-and-down for the last few years. Unfortunately, the team and fanbase still operate like they are just around the corner again.
7. Toronto Blue Jays
The 1992 and 1993 World Series titles are cherished like family heirlooms. It’s been decades, but you’d think Joe Carter just hit that walk-off last week.
6. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals will tell you they’re a “winning franchise” even in a 70-win season. Their rich history is real, but they trot it out so often that it starts to feel like a deflection.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phils still glow from that 2008 World Series win. Even when things go sideways, they act like it’s just a matter of time before the good times return.
4. Boston Red Sox
They finally broke the curse in 2004 and added more rings, but the franchise still clings to the redemption arc like it’s the whole identity. It’s as if being tortured is more important than actually winning now.
3. Atlanta Braves
Yes, the Braves have had modern success, but there’s always a lot of 1990s talk. The team and its fans still see themselves through the lens of that one golden era.
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2. Chicago Cubs
Ending a 108-year drought in 2016 was historic, and they’ve been coasting on that magic ever since. The Wrigleyville energy still screams, “We finally did it!” almost a decade later.
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1. New York Yankees
No team talks about past greatness more than the Yankees. Twenty-seven rings, endless legends, and a fanbase that acts like 2009 was yesterday—even if the team hasn’t been truly dominant in years.
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