10 MLB Teams Which Are More Successful Than NFL Teams From the Same City

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Sports fans often debate which team truly dominates their city. When multiple professional teams share the same city, rivalries often develop between their fan bases. The best way to settle these debates is by comparing championship titles.

In several cities, baseball teams have built a strong lead through years of success. Even in places where the local NFL team has won recent championships, the MLB franchise may still have more titles.

Let’s take a look at 10 such MLB franchises.

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10. Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians' modern trophies keep them a step ahead of the Browns in modern Super Bowl-era metrics. - Source: Imagn — The Guardians’ modern trophies keep them a step ahead of the Browns in modern Super Bowl-era metrics. – Source: Imagn

The Cleveland Guardians won two World Series in the 20th century, in 1920 and 1948. Pitcher Gene Bearden was the star of the 1948 Fall Classic triumph (before the World Series MVP Award was created in 1955).

Meanwhile, their NFL counterparts, the Cleveland Browns, have not won a Super Bowl. In fact, they haven’t even appeared in a Super Bowl. And the two teams have had drastically different success since the 1990s.

However, the Browns were a power before the AFL-NFL merger. Cleveland won the NFL Championship Game in 1950, 1954, 1955 and 1964 and also lost in the championship game five times between 1951 and 1965.

The Guardians have been closer to winning another championship than the Browns in modern times. The franchise lost in the World Series four times (1954, ’95, ’97 and 2016) and fell in the ALCS four times (all since 1998), including in 2026. And the franchise has won its division 14 times since 1995.

The Browns reached the AFC championship game three times (1987, ’88 and ’90). But since the 1989 season, Cleveland has had just five winning seasons and hasn’t won its division. The Browns went 0-16 in 2017 (and 1-15 in 2016).

Plus, Cleveland temporarily lost its NFL team for three seasons when owner Art Modell relocated the franchise to Baltimore, where it became the Ravens, and the Browns resumed playing in 1998.

9. Minnesota Twins

The Twins franchise won a title as the Washington Senators in 1924. - Source: Imagn — The Twins franchise won a title as the Washington Senators in 1924. – Source: Imagn

The Minnesota Twins have won two World Series titles since their relocation from Washington. Their first win came in 1987 and the second in 1991. Jack Morris was the 1991 World Series MVP.

Meanwhile, the NFL team in the same city, the Minnesota Vikings, has yet to win a Super Bowl. The Vikings played in four Super Bowls in the 1970s: 1970, 1974, 1975 and 1977.

8. Atlanta Braves

The Braves are the only franchise to win a World Series in three different home cities (Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta). - Source: Imagn — The Braves are the only franchise to win a World Series in three different home cities (Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta). – Source: Imagn

The Atlanta Braves have won two World Series titles since relocating to Georgia. Their first title came in 1995 and the second in 2021. Jorge Soler was the 2021 World Series MVP.

Meanwhile, their NFL counterparts, the Atlanta Falcons, have yet to win a Super Bowl. They appeared in the Super Bowl two times, in 1999 and 2017.

7. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have hoisted multiple modern trophies, whereas the Lions are still hunting for their first Super Bowl berth. - Source: Imagn — The Tigers have hoisted multiple modern trophies, whereas the Lions are still hunting for their first Super Bowl berth. – Source: Imagn

The Detroit Tigers won four World Series titles in the 20th century. They won their first title in 1935 and last in 1984. Alan Trammell was the 1984 World Series MVP.

Meanwhile, the Tigers’ NFL counterpart, the Detroit Lions, have yet to win a Super Bowl. They have also yet to appear in a Super Bowl. Before the AFL-NFL merger, the Lions won four NFL championships.

6. Chicago Cubs

The North Side of Chicago stood through the most famous championship drought in history, but their 21st-century triumph secures their place ahead of the city's iconic lone modern Super Bowl. - Source: Imagn — The North Side of Chicago stood through the most famous championship drought in history, but their 21st-century triumph secures their place ahead of the city’s iconic lone modern Super Bowl. – Source: Imagn

The Chicago Cubs have won three World Series titles. They won consecutive Fall Classics in 1907 and 1908 before they broke the 108-year curse to win their third in 2016. Ben Zobrist was the World Series MVP.

Meanwhile, the NFL team in the same city, the Chicago Bears, has won just a single Super Bowl. They won in 1986, defeating the New England Patriots.

5. Chicago White Sox

Anchoring the South Side, the White Sox also claim local bragging rights over the gridiron. Their dominant 2005 postseason sweep firmly places them past the 1985 Bears. - Source: Imagn — Anchoring the South Side, the White Sox also claim local bragging rights over the gridiron. Their dominant 2005 postseason sweep firmly places them past the 1985 Bears. – Source: Imagn

Both MLB teams in Chicago have won more World Series titles than the Chicago Bears have won Super Bowls. Like the Cubs, the Chicago White Sox have also won three Fall Classics. The White Sox won in 1906, 1917 and 2005. Jermaine Dye was the 2005 World Series MVP.

4. Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds’ performance in recent years has not been stellar. However, they won five World Series titles in the 20th century. Their first Fall Classic triumph came in 1919 and the last in 1990. Jose Rijo was the 1990 World Series MVP.

Meanwhile, the NFL team in the same city, the Cincinnati Bengals, have yet to win a Super Bowl. The Bengals appeared in the Super Bowl three times, the latest in 2022.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

While the Dodgers brought one title legacy from Brooklyn, they built an absolute empire after moving west. - Source: Imagn — While the Dodgers brought one title legacy from Brooklyn, they built an absolute empire after moving west. – Source: Imagn

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won eight World Series since their relocation to Southern California. They won as the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955, while their latest came in 2025. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the 2025 World Series MVP.

Meanwhile, the two NFL teams in Los Angeles have just two between them. The Los Angeles Rams have two, while the Los Angeles Chargers have none.

2. Boston Red Sox

Even though their first four World Series championships were won before the Patriots existed, all nine titles belong completely to Boston's local sports lore. - Source: Imagn — Even though their first four World Series championships were won before the Patriots existed, all nine titles belong completely to Boston’s local sports lore. – Source: Imagn

The Boston Red Sox won nine World Series titles. Their first Fall Classic triumph came in 1903, while their latest came in 2018. Steve Pearce was the 2018 World Series MVP.

Meanwhile, the NFL team in the region, the New England Patriots, have won three fewer despite their success in the 21st century. The Patriots won their first Super Bowl in 2001 and the latest in 2018.

1. New York Yankees

All of the Yankees' baseball championships were won right in the Bronx, maintaining the most lopsided sports town margin in the country. - Source: Imagn — All of the Yankees’ baseball championships were won right in the Bronx, maintaining the most lopsided sports town margin in the country. – Source: Imagn

The New York Yankees won 27 World Series titles, which is significantly more than their crosstown rival, the New York Mets, who have just two. The number is also higher than the Super Bowls won by the two NFL teams in New York City. The New York Giants won four Super Bowls, while the New York Jets have just one.

The Yankees’ first World Series triumph came in 1923. Their latest victory came in 2009. Hideki Matsui was the 2009 World Series MVP.

Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein

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