In '83 the Raiders were 12-4 while the Redskins were 14-2 with both losses being by a single point; that Super Bowl still gives me the shakes. Also, I believe the Sixers had the NBA's best record in '83.
Pretty amazing but true the Sox finished 1/2 game behind Tigers in a strike shortened year, this would never fly today! They played one less game so were not given the same chance...Detroit went on to lose to the A's (eventual champs)
Det 86-70
Bos 85-70
Btw that was 1972, Baltimore had the best record in baseball in 1971 as they also did in 1969 and 1970, winning 320 games in the 3 yr span.