Mainstream media outlets such as ESPN and Fox Sports are erroneously reporting that the Chicago Cubs are the best team in Major League Baseball. But they are only counting wins and loses, and are ignoring the most important stat of all. The Texas Rangers have the most total bases of any team in Major League Baseball.
Total Bases (according to MLB.com, 06/01/2008, 9:15 PM)
Texas Rangers 924
Philadelphia Phillies 917
Chicago Cubs 904
Why is the media ignoring this? It's simple - they want the Cubs to win. It fits into their story line of the lovable Cubs finally winning after 100 years of misery.
Don't listen to the Cubs backers, who will insist that their team has the best record. I mean yes, technically, they do if you consider winning percentage to be the end-all, be-all:
Best Winning Percentage
Chicago Cubs 36-21, .632
Tampa Bay Rays, 35-22, .614
Boston Red Sox, 35-24, .593
...
Texas Rangers, 29-29, .500
Some of the snotty Cubs defenders go on to point out that Cubs lead in Runs, Hits (tied with Boston), and RBI's. But if we're going to play that game, then let's point out that Texas leads in doubles (three more than the Cubs).
I say we start a protest campaign against MLB and Bud Selig. We demand that the 30 owners form a Rules Committee and change the criteria for winning the pennant so that it goes to the team who has the most total bases. Everyone knows that this is what the public truly wants and deserves.