The three-peat, a rare feat in the world of sports, refers to a team’s accomplishment of winning three consecutive championships. This impressive feat requires not only outstanding individual skills and team cohesion, but also a great deal of physical and mental resilience. While the term was originally coined by former NBA head coach Pat Riley in 1988, the history of the three-peat dates all the way back to the early 20th century.
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This accomplishment is not just about winning three championships in a row; it is also about the legacy that a team leaves behind. The team’s name is etched in history, and they become a part of the sport’s folklore, remembered for years to come. Winning streaks like this have a significant impact on a team’s fans and the entire sporting community, creating a sense of excitement, anticipation, and pride.
However, achieving a three-peat is no easy task and it requires exceptional teamwork, discipline, and dedication. A team must not only be at the top of their game but also have the mental fortitude to push through any challenges they may face, whether it be injuries, fatigue, or the pressure to perform at the highest level.
Over the years, only a handful of professional teams have been able to achieve this elusive accomplishment and we’re going to take a look at each and every one of them. We from Bovada Sportsbook will explore the dynasties that dominated men’s North American sports and left a lasting legacy that is still felt to this day. So buckle up, grab some popcorn, and get ready to relive some of the most glorious moments in sports history.
Green Bay Packers (1929-1931) – NFL Football
The NFL’s Green Bay Packers became the first team in North American professional sports to pull off a three-peat when they won three consecutive championships from 1929 to 1931. Long before the Super Bowl existed, the Packers managed to claim the first three championships in NFL history. Led by player-coach Curly Lambeau and all-time greats like Johnny McNally, Mike Michalske and Cal Hubbard, these Packers teams still hold the record for the NFL’s most consecutive home games without a loss (29 games).
New York Yankees (1936-1939) – MLB Baseball
As the winningest team in MLB history with a total of 27 World Series championships, the New York Yankees were the sport’s first team to win three consecutive titles. With the help of legendary players like Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig, the Bronx Bombers actually took the impressive accomplishment one step further by winning the World Series in four straight years.
Toronto Maple Leafs (1947-1949) – NHL Hockey
As one of hockey’s Original 6 franchises, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a long and rich history steeped in tradition. By winning it all from 1947 to 1949, the Leafs became the first NHL team to hoist the Stanley Cup in three straight years. Elevated by the play of captain Syl Apps and goaltender Turk Broda, Toronto took out the Montreal Canadiens in the 1947 Stanley Cup Finals. The Leafs followed that up by beating the Detroit Red Wings in the finals in each of the next two seasons to claim hockey’s first ever three-peat.
New York Yankees (1949-1953) – MLB Baseball
Just 10 years after their four-peat mentioned above, the Yankees were back at it with another championship run. This time New York was able to do one better, winning five straight World Series titles between 1949 and 1953. This championship streak is even more impressive when you consider the fact that the ‘Yankee Clipper’ Joe DiMaggio retired after the 1951 season. Luckily for New York, the team had players like Mickey Mantle, White Ford and Yogi Berra to pick up the slack and keep their championship run going for another two years.
Minneapolis Lakers (1952-1954) – NBA Basketball
The Lakers were a basketball dynasty long before they moved to Los Angeles, with the Minneapolis Lakers winning a three-peat between the years of 1952 and 1954. These teams had great players like Jim Pollard and Herm Schaefer, but none were more important to the team’s overall success than big man George Mikan. Considered by many as the sport’s first-ever superstar, Mikan helped the Lakers win three straight championships and five titles over a six-year stretch.
Montreal Canadiens (1956-1960) – NHL Hockey
In the hockey-obsessed city of Montreal, winning championships isn’t just celebrated, it’s expected. The Habs have won 24 Stanley Cups in their illustrious history, with the team winning their first three-peat by going on an impressive run during the mid to late 1950’s. Those teams were loaded with hall of fame skaters like Jean Beliveau, Bernie Geoffrion, and Henri Richard, with goaltender Jaques Plante backing them up between the pipes. These Canadiens managed to extend their championship streak by winning an NHL-record five straight Stanley Cups between 1956 and 1960.
Boston Celtics (1959-1966) – NBA Basketball
When it comes to winning championships, few teams in sports can stack up with the Boston Celtics during the 1950’s and 1960’s. With coach Red Auerbach and Celtics legends like Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek, Boston was able to form an NBA dynasty for the ages. These Celtics teams went far beyond a three-peat, winning an incredible eight consecutive championships between 1959 and 1966. Having dominated the competition over such a long stretch, Boston’s championship run is truly one of greatest accomplishments in sports history.
Toronto Maple Leafs (1962-1964) – NHL Hockey
Already featured on this list, the Leafs pulled off their second three-peat in franchise history between 1962 and 1964. During Toronto’s second run as an NHL dynasty, the team was made up of players like Tim Horton, Red Kelly, Frank Mahovlich and star goaltender, Johnny Bower. This stretch of titles elevated Toronto into the historic NHL franchise we know today.
Oakland Athletics (1972-1974) – MLB Baseball
Outside of the Yankees, the Oakland Athletics are the only other MLB team to have pulled off this elusive feat. With colorful players like Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers and Reggie Jackson, the A’s put on a baseball clinic between 1972 and 1974. All of their winning earned Oakland a special place in baseball history and led to the team’s nickname ‘The Swingin’ A’s’.
Montreal Canadiens (1976-1979) – NHL Hockey
The Canadiens make their second appearance on our list of three-peat champions, having won the Stanley Cup in four straight years between 1976 and 1979. Those teams were filled with hall of famers like Guy Lafleur, Jacques Lemaire, Steve Shutt, Bob Gainey and Ken Dryden, just to name a few. In addition to winning four straight Stanley Cups, the Canadiens also set the record for most points in a season (132) and fewest losses in a season (8) during the 1976-77 campaign.
New York Islanders (1980-1983) – NHL Hockey
As the Habs dynasty of the 1970’s came to an end, a new one began for the New York Islanders. This franchise is the only American team to pull off a three-peat in the NHL, having won the Stanley Cup in four straight years from 1980 to1983. With Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier scoring seemingly at will and the great Denis Potvin on defense, the Islanders clearly made their mark on the sport of hockey with this four-peat.
Chicago Bulls (1991-1993) – NBA Basketball
As great as Michael Jordan was coming out of North Carolina, it still took the GOAT several years to learn how to win a championship at the professional level. After several seasons of playoff disappointment, MJ and the Bulls finally put it all together and ended up winning three straight titles between 1991 and 1993.
Chicago Bulls (1996-1998) – NBA Basketball
The Bulls had to deal with Michael Jordan’s retirement following their first three-peat, but turned things around when he returned to basketball for the 1996 season. Chicago immediately went back to their championship ways, winning yet another three-peat from 1996-1998. Having now won the second three-peat of his amazing career, Jordan is now widely considered the greatest basketball player of all-time.
New York Yankees (1998-2000) – MLB Baseball
Believe it or not, the Yankees have won a three-peat on three separate occasions, with the most recent three-peat coming during the 1998 to 2000 seasons. As the most recent MLB team to win three consecutive championships, these Yankees had their fair share of star talent, including Derek Jeter, Roger Clemens, Mariano Rivera and Paul O’Neil. The 1998 Yankees, specifically, are considered one of the greatest baseball teams of all-time, having won a combined 125 games between the regular season and playoffs.
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NBA – Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002)
Decades after their first three-peat back in Minneapolis, the Lakers pulled off the astonishing feat yet again during the early 2000s. With head coach Phil Jackson at the helm and with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant forming an unstoppable duo, the Lakers dominated the NBA scene from 2000 to 2002. Winning a three-peat in today’s salary cap era is no easy task, but these Lakers made it look easy. The Lakers remain the last men’s team from any of the ‘Big 4’ North American sports to win three straight championships.
