The New York Knights did not have the greatest start, as they finished dead last in the ABC in 1901, only one game better than the Milwaukee Bucks (who would later become the Knights' neighbors in New York). But the Knights have only finished in last place one time since then: in 1945, when several of their star players were away fighting in World War II. They made their first World Series appearance in 1905, losing to the Chicago Outlaws. They returned to the World Series 2 years later and defeated the Philadelphia Yellow Jackets for their first title. Their next two World Series appearances also ended in defeat: in 1911 to the Hartford Lions and 1916 to the Washington Eagles. But then they won the next four in a row in 1917 through 1920.
In 1921, the league went to divisional play. The Knights went 106-34 for the best record in league history, a record that still stands. However, they were denied a 5th straight championship when the Cleveland Blue Sox--who finished 65-75--swept them and went on to win the World Series themselves. The Knights protested the new playoff system, insisting that they were the true champions and that the league had stolen it from them. Nevertheless, the Blue Sox' championship stood. The Knights went on to lose in the ABC Championship Series again in 1922 (to Buffalo) and 1923 (to Pittsburgh). That became the first of seven years in a row in which the Knights played the Prowlers in the playoffs. The Knights won three of those meetings, going to the World Series in 1924 (defeated the Cardinals), 1927 (lost to the Bears) and 1929 (defeated the Colonels).
After finishing in 3rd place in 1930, the Knights won the ABC East in the next 9 seasons in a row, making the World Series in 7 of those 9 years and winning it all 5 times. 1940 saw them suffer their first losing season since 1913. They bounced back to win their division in 1941 for their 24th playoff appearance in 26 seasons, and defeated the Browns in the World Series. Since then, however, they only made the playoffs one time: in 1947 they won the ABC East but lost to the Silverbacks in the ABC Championship Series.
They are not the powerhouse they once were, but who's to say they won't become one again? Either way, they still rule New York and are the most successful team in league history. There are more Hall of Famers with Knights caps than any other team. They own the best overall record of all 20 teams, they are the only team with over 4,000 wins so far, and they own the best single-season record ever posted (106-34 in 1921). They have the most playoff appearances with 28 (the Cardinals are in second with 17), they have the most World Series appearances with 18 (Cardinals are 2nd with 14), and they have the most World Series championship with 13 (Cardinals are 2nd with 7). However, they are not in the "never lost 90 games in a season club," thanks to their very first season when they lost 91 games. But they have not lost 90 or more ever since then, so they do have that going for them. Not that it matters; in the league's 50-year history so far, the Knights are by far the best team.
Some notable players on current roster
