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The best teams in baseball every year don’t always win the World Series. In fact, most of the time, they don’t. Here are the 15 best teams to never win it all. At the time, everyone thought these teams would win the World Series, but they just couldn’t pull it off.
15. 1954 Cleveland Indians
Credit: Getty ImagesDespite finishing almost 70 games over .500, the 1954 Indians just weren't able to seal the deal. Now, the city of Cleveland is in the middle of a terrible title drought. If only the Indians had closed out that series, the city's sports history might be a little less sad.
15. 1954 Cleveland Indians
Record/result: 111-43, Lost in World Series
Despite finishing almost 70 games over .500, the 1954 Indians just weren't able to seal the deal. Now, the city of Cleveland is in the middle of a terrible title drought. If only the Indians had closed out that series, the city's sports history might be a little less sad.
14. 2005 St. Louis Cardinals
Credit: Getty ImagesThe Cardinals were the best team in baseball by most people's estimation in 2005, but they ran into fate. In that year, they faced off with the Astros in the NLCS, who would upset them in six games to go onto the World Series to face the White Sox. Chicago would then take down Houston, breaking a nearly century-long drought.
14. 2005 St. Louis Cardinals
Record/result: 100-62, Lost in NLCS
The Cardinals were the best team in baseball by most people's estimation in 2005, but they ran into fate. In that year, they faced off with the Astros in the NLCS, who would upset them in six games to go onto the World Series to face the White Sox. Chicago would then take down Houston, breaking a nearly century-long drought.
13. 1906 Chicago Cubs
Credit: Jerry Lai - USA Today SportsThe Cubs haven't won the World Series since 1908, but that season could have been the last of a three-peat if the franchise had sealed the deal in 1906. However, the team lost to the rival White Sox despite going 80 games over .500 on the season. By win percentage, no team before or since was better than this one in the regular season.
13. 1906 Chicago Cubs
Record/result: 116-36, Lost in World Series
The Cubs haven't won the World Series since 1908, but that season could have been the last of a three-peat if the franchise had sealed the deal in 1906. However, the team lost to the rival White Sox despite going 80 games over .500 on the season. By win percentage, no team before or since was better than this one in the regular season.
12. 1969 Baltimore Orioles
Credit: Getty ImagesDespite winning their division by 19 games and having stars like Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer and Mike Cuellar, the Orioles weren't able to win it all in 1969. It seemed like it should've been their year, but they ran into the red-hot "Miracle" Mets and weren't able to seal the deal.
12. 1969 Baltimore Orioles
Record/result: 109-53, Lost in World Series
Despite winning their division by 19 games and having stars like Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer and Mike Cuellar, the Orioles weren't able to win it all in 1969. It seemed like it should've been their year, but they ran into the red-hot "Miracle" Mets and weren't able to seal the deal.
11. 1984 Chicago Cubs
Credit: Getty ImagesCubs fans thought all of their waiting might finally be over in 1984 after the team won nearly 100 games and jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the Padres in the NLCS. Unfortunately, the team collapsed and lost three straight games, keeping them from the World Series, a place they still haven't returned to since 1945.
11. 1984 Chicago Cubs
Record/result: 96-65, Lost in NLCS
Cubs fans thought all of their waiting might finally be over in 1984 after the team won nearly 100 games and jumped out to a 2-0 series lead over the Padres in the NLCS. Unfortunately, the team collapsed and lost three straight games, keeping them from the World Series, a place they still haven't returned to since 1945.
10. 1963 New York Yankees
Credit: Getty ImagesAs plenty of Yankee teams have been throughout the years, the 1963 team was a powerhouse. It seemed like they were primed to win it all, but they couldn't get it done in the World Series. The Bronx Bombers ran into the buzzsaw of Sandy Koufax's Dodgers and weren't able to claim the title.
10. 1963 New York Yankees
Record/result: 104-57, Lost in World Series
As plenty of Yankee teams have been throughout the years, the 1963 team was a powerhouse. It seemed like they were primed to win it all, but they couldn't get it done in the World Series. The Bronx Bombers ran into the buzzsaw of Sandy Koufax's Dodgers and weren't able to claim the title.
9. 1965 Minnesota Twins
Credit: Getty ImagesThis Harmon Killebrew-led team dominated the regular season, but came up just short in October. They ultimately lost to the Dodgers in Game 7 of one of the greatest Fall Classics ever. Of course, if you live in Minnesota, you might not look back on it too fondly.
9. 1965 Minnesota Twins
Record/result: 102-60, Lost in World Series
This Harmon Killebrew-led team dominated the regular season, but came up just short in October. They ultimately lost to the Dodgers in Game 7 of one of the greatest Fall Classics ever. Of course, if you live in Minnesota, you might not look back on it too fondly.
8. 1986 Boston Red Sox
Credit: Getty ImagesAfter the "Buckner Boot" in Game 6 of the World Series, the Mets (pictured above) had enough momentum to eventually win it all. Of course, this came at the expense of the oft-tortured Red Sox and their devoted fanbase. It became just another event in a string of heartbreak Boston had to go through before the team finally broke the Curse of the Bambino in 2004.
8. 1986 Boston Red Sox
Record/result: 95-66, Lost in World Series
After the "Buckner Boot" in Game 6 of the World Series, the Mets (pictured above) had enough momentum to eventually win it all. Of course, this came at the expense of the oft-tortured Red Sox and their devoted fanbase. It became just another event in a string of heartbreak Boston had to go through before the team finally broke the Curse of the Bambino in 2004.
7. 2001 New York Yankees
Credit: Getty ImagesAs the Yankee dynasty was ending in the early 2000s, it seemed like they still had at least one World Series left in them. Up 2-1 in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the series, the Yankees had to feel good with closer Mariano Rivera going for the two-inning save. However, the Diamondbacks rallied and ended up winning the game on a walk-off hit by Luis Gonzalez, capping one of the best World Series of all time.
7. 2001 New York Yankees
Record/result: 95-65, Lost in World Series
As the Yankee dynasty was ending in the early 2000s, it seemed like they still had at least one World Series left in them. Up 2-1 in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the series, the Yankees had to feel good with closer Mariano Rivera going for the two-inning save. However, the Diamondbacks rallied and ended up winning the game on a walk-off hit by Luis Gonzalez, capping one of the best World Series of all time.
6. 1919 Chicago White Sox
Credit: Getty ImagesThe only people the White Sox can blame for not winning the World Series in 1919 is themselves. By the time the Fall Classic rolled around, they were easily the best team in the league, but several of their players conspired in the Black Sox scandal that hit MLB like a ton of bricks. Had they given it their all, there's almost no doubt the Sox would've won the Fall Classic.
6. 1919 Chicago White Sox
Record/result: 88-62, Lost in World Series
The only people the White Sox can blame for not winning the World Series in 1919 is themselves. By the time the Fall Classic rolled around, they were easily the best team in the league, but several of their players conspired in the Black Sox scandal that hit MLB like a ton of bricks. Had they given it their all, there's almost no doubt the Sox would've won the Fall Classic.
5. 2011 Texas Rangers
Credit: Rick Osentoski - USA Today SportsTalk about heartbreaking losses, the Rangers had one of the more painful ones ever in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series while leading three games to two. They got the Cardinals down to their final strike in the ninth inning and let David Freese's dramatic home run tie it up. Then, with a lead in extra innings, they blew it again. Of course, with all the momentum, the Cardinals soundly defeated the Rangers in Game 7 and left Texas wondering what could have been.
5. 2011 Texas Rangers
Record/result: 96-66, Lost in World Series
Talk about heartbreaking losses, the Rangers had one of the more painful ones ever in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series while leading three games to two. They got the Cardinals down to their final strike in the ninth inning and let David Freese's dramatic home run tie it up. Then, with a lead in extra innings, they blew it again. Of course, with all the momentum, the Cardinals soundly defeated the Rangers in Game 7 and left Texas wondering what could have been.
4. 2003 Boston Red Sox
Credit: Getty ImagesPedro Martinez and the Red Sox were confident that 2003 was finally their year. They were looking like they were going to defeat the rival Yankees and play for a World Series, but it didn't quite turn out that way. The coaching staff and front office underwent some major changes after the year, though, and that clearly benefited them. They won the World Series the following year.
4. 2003 Boston Red Sox
Record/result: 95-67, Lost in ALCS
Pedro Martinez and the Red Sox were confident that 2003 was finally their year. They were looking like they were going to defeat the rival Yankees and play for a World Series, but it didn't quite turn out that way. The coaching staff and front office underwent some major changes after the year, though, and that clearly benefited them. They won the World Series the following year.
3. 1993 Atlanta Braves
Credit: Getty ImagesIn general, the Braves of the 1990s missed an opportunity to be a dynasty. Despite winning their division for more than a decade straight, they won just one World Series. Unfortunately for them, 1993 was not when that series win came. They had the best starting rotation in all of baseball and finished 46 games over .500, but didn't even reach the World Series.
3. 1993 Atlanta Braves
Record/result: 104-58, Lost in NLCS
In general, the Braves of the 1990s missed an opportunity to be a dynasty. Despite winning their division for more than a decade straight, they won just one World Series. Unfortunately for them, 1993 was not when that series win came. They had the best starting rotation in all of baseball and finished 46 games over .500, but didn't even reach the World Series.
2. 2001 Seattle Mariners
Credit: Getty ImagesSomehow, a team that won 70 more games than they lost in 2001 wasn't even able to get to the World Series. The Mariners were a remarkable regular season team (the second-best of all time), but they ran right into the Yankees, who were looking to reach their fourth straight World Series. Of course, Seattle wasn't able to handle the Bronx Bombers and they will forever be remembered as the second-best regular season team ever, rather than the 2001 World Series champions.
2. 2001 Seattle Mariners
Record/result: 116-46, Lost in ALCS
Somehow, a team that won 70 more games than they lost in 2001 wasn't even able to get to the World Series. The Mariners were a remarkable regular season team (the second-best of all time), but they ran right into the Yankees, who were looking to reach their fourth straight World Series. Of course, Seattle wasn't able to handle the Bronx Bombers and they will forever be remembered as the second-best regular season team ever, rather than the 2001 World Series champions.
1. 1994 Montreal Expos
Credit: Getty ImagesThe reason the 1994 Expos team is considered the greatest team never to win the World Series is because they didn't do anything to keep themselves from winning it all. A player's strike ended the season early, when the team was 34 games over .500 with nearly 50 games left to play. We will never know what might have been had the player's strike not occurred, but there's a good chance Montreal would have won it all.
1. 1994 Montreal Expos
Record/result: 74-40, Strike-shortened season
The reason the 1994 Expos team is considered the greatest team never to win the World Series is because they didn't do anything to keep themselves from winning it all. A player's strike ended the season early, when the team was 34 games over .500 with nearly 50 games left to play. We will never know what might have been had the player's strike not occurred, but there's a good chance Montreal would have won it all.
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