Why Didn't the Murderers Row Yankees of Ruth and Gehrig Win More World Series?

Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were teammates on the New York Yankees from 1925 through 1934. A ten year period. Over that time frame they won 3 World Series together. They were arguably two of the top 5 offensive baseball players of all time. In addition, they played with four other Hall of Fame hitters, Tony Lazzeri (2B), Earle Combs (CF), Bill Dickey (C), and Joe Sewell (3B). Why didn't they win more than 3 championships?

The obvious reason would be that the Yankees had bad pitching over the time frame. But Ruth and Gehrig also played with four Hall of Fame pitchers, Waite Hoyt, Herb Pennock, Red Ruffing, and Lefty Gomez. (Urban Shocker would also be in the Hall of Fame, except for his illness and untimely death).

So why didn't the Murderers Row Yankees win more World Series?

The main reason would have to because of the Philadelphia Athletics. From 1929 through 1931, the Philadelphia A's were arguably the greatest team in Major League history.

In 1929, the A's went 104-46 and won the World Series, while the Yankees finished 2nd in the AL.

The 1930 A's went 102-52 and won the World Series, while the Yankees finished 3rd in the AL.

The 1931 A's went 107-45, but lost the World Series to the Cardinals in 7 games, while the Yankees finished 2nd in the AL.

Over the three year span from 1929-1931, the Philadelphia Athletics went a combined 313-143. That's a .686 Winning Percentage.

Those A's teams featured a number of Hall of Famers also. The lineup included Mickey Cochrane at Catcher, Jimmie Foxx at 1B, and Al Simmons in the OF. Max Bishop batted lead-off for the A's, and even though he is not in the Hall of Fame, he is ranked 13th on the all-time retired list for OBP at .423.

The real star of the A's was Lefty Grove. From 1929-1931 he went an incredible 79-15 (.840) in 99 starts (just 5 no decisions). He relieved in another 34 games, saving 18 of them. Even though the A's had an unbelievably high winning percentage over the three years, Grove's winning percentage was still .154 better than the team!

The Yankees of Ruth and Gehrig lost the World Series in 1926. Then went on to completely dominate baseball in 1927, going 110-44, and sweeping the Pirates in the World Series. They again won the World Series in 1928. And then went on to once again dominate baseball in 1932, going 107-47, and sweeping the Cubs in the World Series. But in between the World Series victories of 1928 and 1932, they ran into the buzz saw that was the Philadelphia Athletics. And that is the main reason why the Murderers Row Yankees of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig won only three World Series Championships together.