What MLB Teams Have Never Been to a World Series?

MLB Teams That Have Never Been to a World Series

The Seattle Mariners

​The Seattle Mariners are the only team in Major League Baseball that has never even appeared in a World Series. The Mariners were founded in 1977, and they have only made the playoffs five times in their history. Their best season came in 2001, when they won 116 games and finished with the best record in baseball. However, they were swept by the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

This past season (2022), the Mariners finished the regular season 90-72, good enough for second in the AL West. They managed to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card round before bowing out to the Houston Astros in the AL Division Series. 

The Mariners have had some great players over the years, including Ichiro Suzuki, Ken Griffey Jr., and Randy Johnson. However, they have never been able to put together a complete team that can compete for a World Series title.

Teams Without a World Series Title

Five other teams have made the World Series but never managed to win it. They are the: 

*Colorado Rockies
*San Diego Padres
*Tampa Bay Rays
*Texas Rangers
*Milwaukee Brewers

These teams have all had their fair share of success over the years, but they have never been able to get over the hump and win the World Series.

The Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies are a relatively new team, having been founded in 1993. The Rockies have made the playoffs five times in their history (and also appeared in the 2007 World Series against the Red Sox), but they have never won it all.

The Rockies are one of the most unique teams in baseball. They play their home games at Coors Field, which is one of the highest-altitude stadiums in the league. The thin air at Coors Field makes it a hitter's paradise, and the Rockies have some of the most prolific hitters in baseball. However, the Rockies have also struggled with pitching over the years, and that has prevented them from reaching the top.

The San Diego Padres

​The San Diego Padres are one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball, having been founded in 1969. The Padres have made the playoffs six times in their history, but they have never won a World Series.

The Padres have had some great players over the years, including Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, and Randy Myers. However, they have never been able to put together a complete team that can compete for a World Series title.

The Padres are hoping that their current team can finally break through and reach the World Series. The Padres have a young and talented team, and they are led by Fernando Tatis Jr., one of the most exciting players in baseball.

The Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are also a relatively new team, having been founded in 1998. However, they have quickly become one of the most successful teams in baseball. The Rays have made the playoffs four times in their history. They also appeared in the 2008 and 2020 World Series but lost both times. 

The Rays are known for their innovative approach to baseball. They are one of the most analytically-driven teams in the league, and they are constantly looking for ways to gain an edge over their opponents. The Rays have also been very good at developing young talent, and they have built a team that is capable of competing for a World Series title every year.

The Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are another team that has had a lot of success over the years, but they have never been able to win a World Series. The Rangers have made the playoffs six times in their history, and they lost in the World Series in 2011 to the St. Louis Cardinals. 

The Rangers have had some great players over the years, including Nolan Ryan, Ivan Rodriguez, and Josh Hamilton. However, they have never been able to put it all together.

The Rangers are hoping that their current team can finally break through and reach the World Series. The Rangers have a young and talented team, led by Corey Seager, one of the best shortstops in baseball.

The Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers appeared in their first and only World Series in 1982, where they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. Recently, though, the Brewers have been a team on the rise. The Brewers have made the playoffs three times in the last four years, and they won the National League Central Division in 2021.

The Brewers have a young and talented team, led by Christian Yelich, one of the best hitters in baseball. The Brewers also have a solid pitching staff, led by Corbin Burnes, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021.

The Brewers are hoping that they can finally break through and reach the World Series in 2023. They have a team that is capable of competing for a championship, and they will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs.

World Series Winners

Since there are 30 teams in Major League Baseball and 6 haven't won a World Series, then naturally the other 24 teams have won at least once. Here is a breakdown of every team with more than one World Series win. 

​New York Yankees (27)
St. Louis Cardinals (11)
Boston Red Sox (9)
Oakland Athletics (9)
San Francisco Giants (8)
Los Angeles Dodgers (7)
Pittsburgh Pirates (5)
Cincinnati Reds (5)
Atlanta Braves (4)
Detroit Tigers (4)
Chicago White Sox (3)
Chicago Cubs (3)
Minnesota Twins (3)
Baltimore Orioles (3)
Cleveland Guardians (2)
New York Mets (2)
Philadelphia Phillies (2)
Kansas City Royals (2)
Toronto Blue Jays (2)
Miami Marlins (2)
Houston Astros (2)

Final Thoughts

Will 2023 be the year that one of these six teams breaks through to win the World Series? Only time will tell. 

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In addition, for a list of our favorite baseball books of all time, check out this article.