The AL East has a rich tradition of being among the best divisions since Major League Baseball went to the division format in 1969. Here's a look at the other great seasons in AL East history.
By Times Staff Writer
Published April 4, 2004
1969: Washington wins 86 games and finishes fourth. Baltimore wins 109 games that season.
1978: This season is known for the Yankees erasing a 14-game Boston lead in July and winning the division on Bucky Dent's homer in the one-game playoff. But forgotten is Milwaukee won 93 games and Baltimore won 90. The Tigers finish fifth even though they go 86-76.
1979: Six of the seven teams in the division finish above .500. Cleveland is 81-80 and still finishes sixth, 22 games behind the Orioles.
1980: The Yankees and Orioles both win 100 games. Milwaukee, Boston and Detroit also finish above .500.
1984: The Year of the Tigers, who win 104 games. Toronto, who wins 89 games and still finishes 15 games out of first, is one of four other teams above .500.
1998: How's this for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? The Red Sox win 92 games and finish 22 games out of first. The Yankees win 114 games. Hey, even the Rays avoid 100 losses that season.
