The 10 Greatest American Sports Franchises of All Time

The following is a list of the 10 best franchises ever in the MLB, NFL, and NBA. 

10. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have been one of the most consistent franchises in all of sports and arguably the best over the last dozen years. In their 32-year history in the NBA, they have made the playoffs 28 times, with a 29th appearance pretty much a lock this season. They have won their division title 16 times and won their conference championship four times. They rank third in NBA history with a .579 winning percent and rank fourth in the NBA with four championships. 

Best Spurs Players: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, George Gervin, Alvin Robertson, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Larry Kenon, Artis Gilmore.

Best Spurs Coach: Gregg Poppovich—.677 winning percentage, four titles, playoffs each season.

9. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are one of the most iconic franchises in sports as they had arguably the greatest quarterback ever in Joe Montana and without a doubt the best receiver ever in Jerry Rice for several years together. In their 62-year history in the NFL, they have 23 playoff appearances. They rank seventh all time with a .552 winning percentage. They have made it to the Super Bowl five times, winning all five of them, which is tied for second all time with the Cowboys and behind the Steelers. 

Best 49ers Players: Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young, Jimmy Johnson, Leo Nomelli, Terrell Owens, Dave Wilcox, Billy Wilson, Gene A. Washington.

Best 49ers Coach: Bill Walsh—three Super Bowls, .609 winning percentage, every year playoffs.

8. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals have been one of the best and most consistent franchises in the history of baseball. In their 108-year history as the Cardinals, they have 22 playoff appearances and 17 pennants. They rank fourth all-time in the league with a .517 winning percentage. They also rank second in baseball with 10 world championships, only behind the Yankees. 

Best Cardinals Players: Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Albert Pujols, Lou Brock, Rogers Hornsby, Jesse Haines, Jim Bottomley, Dizzy Dean, Frankie Frisch.

Best Cardinals Manager: Whitey Herzog—.530 winning percentage, three pennants, one World Series.

7. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are one of the most iconic franchises in sports as they are known for being the first baseball team to allow a black player, Jackie Robinson, to play for them. In their 124-year history, they have won 22 pennants, which ranks second in the league. They also rank second in the league with a .524 winning percentage. They have 27 playoff appearances and rank fourth in the league with six championships.

Best Dodgers Players: Sandy Koufax, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Don Drysdale, Pee Wee Reese, Don Sutton, Steve Garvey, Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershier.

Best Dodgers Manager: Walter Alston—seven pennants/four World Series wins, .558 winning percentage.

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