Yr | Winner | % Chance | Player Selected | 2nd Pick | % Chance | Player Selected | Lot # |
70 | Minneapolis | 14% | Bert Blyleven,P | Topeka | 15% | Ted Simmons,C (a) | 07-13 |
69 | Chicago | 4% | Thurman Munson,C | Greeley | 13%** | Manny Sanguillen,C | 62-31 |
68 | Willingboro | 6% | Jerry Koosman,P | Jersey | 25%** | Bobby Bonds,OF | 92-04 |
67 | Ernestown | 8% | Johnny Bench,C | Houston | 23%** | Rod Carew,2b | 83-10 |
66 | Melbourne Beach | 19% | Don Sutton,P | Ernestown | 14% | Nolan Ryan,P | 34-69 |
65 | Willingboro | 6% | Fergie Jenkins,P | Houston | 25%** | Jim Palmer,P | 95-00 |
64 | (NY)Melbourne | 19% | Mike Cuellar,p | Ernestown | 18% | Luis Tiant,P | 28-51 |
63 | North Bend | 6% | Pete Rose,OF | Ernestown | 11% | Willie Stargell,OF | 96-87 |
62 | (NY)Melbourne | 20%** | Gaylord Perry,P | North Bend | 15% | Dean Chance,P | 11-64 |
Originated in 1962, the lottery has certainly had its effect on the league. Only twice has the team with the best chance to win the lottery won it. The first time was in the inaugural lottery of 1962 when Melbourne Beach (then New York) won it as an expansion team. Minneapolis won the 1970 lottery (also as an expansion club.Never has the team with the worst overall record won the lottery.
Favorites have fared much better in the race for the second pick winning 4 of 9. That is an exceptional record when you consider that the favorite for the #2 pick usually has about a 25% chance to win it. (It is down to 17% now with the restructuring due to expansion. In 1969's lottery, the favorites had a 52% chance as 4 teams each had a 13% chance.)
Lottery selections have been predominately pitchers. Ten of the eighteen selections have been pitchers (Six #1s and Four#2s). Catchers are next at four selections, mainly due to Munson and Sanguillen going 1,2 in 1969 and Ted Simmons going #2 in 1970. Three outfielders and a second baseman have also been tabbed by lottery teams.
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