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Teams That Have Never Won the World Series: 2023 Edition

The Texas Rangers ended the longest World Series drought for a team that has never won the World Series which stretched back to 1961 when the franchise was first founded as the Washington Senators. The Rangers can now look past their back-to-back World Series losses in 2010 and 2011. Let’s take a look at the remaining five teams that have never won the World Series.

5. Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies are one of six teams that have never won the World series. They’re yet to even win a division title, but in 2007 the Rockies did earn a Wild Card spot in the National League. They went on a streak of 21 wins in 22 games to earn their only World Series appearance but would get swept by the Boston Red Sox.

Colorado’s Coors Field sits at 5,200 feet (1,580 m) above sea level which is the highest altitude stadium in Major League Baseball. Because of the dry and thin Denver air it’s one of the most hitter friendly ballparks in the world and the Rockies typically have a slightly better offensive advantage there.

The Rockies are one of the youngest teams after joining the MLB in 1993. They’ve been home to superstars like Todd Helton, Larry Walker and Troy Tulowitzki and they’ll be hopeful they can win a World Series in the near future. 

4. Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have never won the World Series but are the newest team in Major League Baseball after being founded as the Devil Rays in 1998. Many fans weren’t impressed with the word “Devil” in the team name and it was dropped much to the delight of 7,000 celebrating supporters.

Following the rebrand the Rays’ fortunes took an immediate turn for the better. They went from averaging 97 losses a season to winning the American League pennant in 2008 and again in 2020.

Tampa Bay lost the 2008 World Series in five games against the Philadelphia Phillies but it was still a remarkable season considering it was their first ever playoff appearance. In 2020 the Rays lost in six games to the LA Dodgers.

Despite playing out of one of the smallest Major League Baseball markets, and Tropicana Field being one of the worst stadiums in the league, Tampa Bay has a remarkable ability of finding hidden gems and they’re able to compete with some of the best teams even with their limited resources.

3. Milwaukee Brewers

After being founded as the Seattle Pilots in 1969, the franchise relocated to Milwaukee and became known as the Milwaukee Brewers after going bankrupt in Seattle, having had the worst stadium in the league and the highest ticket prices.

The Brewers clinched the American League pennant in 1982 and appeared in their first ever World Series. After taking Game 1 with a massive 10-0 win, they went 3-2 up in the series before the Cardinals came back to win the World Series in seven.

Milwaukee reached the NL Championship Series in 2018 but lost to the LA Dodgers, and again in 2021 to the Atlanta Braves. The Brewers have every chance of winning a World Series for their loyal fan base, and in recent times have consistently punched above their weight in the playoffs.

2. San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres first season in Major League Baseball was in 1969 and they’re still yet to win a World Series. The Padres have won two National League pennants in 1984 and in 1998.

In 84’ the Padres made it to the World Series by defeating the Chicago Cubs and earning a match up against the Detroit Tigers. In 98’ they beat the Atlanta Braves and faced the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Padres lost both of those series in five games.

San Diego remains the largest American city not to win a major league sports championship and their chances got even harder with the San Diego Chargers relocation to Los Angeles in 2016. They won’t be able to do it in the NFL as the San Diego Chargers relocated to Los Angeles in 2016.

The promising thing for Padres fans is that the owners have expressed an ongoing willingness to spend money like a large market team. Signing one of the best shortstops in the league, Fernando Tatis Jr, to one of the biggest MLB contracts ever is showing intention that the Padres want to end their World Series drought.

1. Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners joined Major League Baseball in 1977 and have never won the World Series. In fact they’re the only team in the MLB never to have made an appearance in the World Series. 

Some success was seen in the 90s and early 2000s with the Mariners making the American League Championship game three times but they lost them all. In 2022 the Mariners ended the longest playoff drought in North America, finishing the regular season 90-72 and ending a 21-year absence from the playoffs. 

With one of the best Major League Baseball stadiums in T-Mobile Park, the Mariners will be hoping to host more playoff baseball. As Seattle is also a large market, the franchise is able to compete with blockbuster trades and can carry a sizable payroll in an effort to end their World Series drought.

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