Even though the lack of a ring will always be a stain in their resume, the best MLB players to never win a World Series are still legends of the game, as their legacies went far beyond just being a champion.
Winning a World Series is one of the toughest things any player and team can accomplish, as you’ll need to have luck, health, and good decisions by your side. Needless to say, just a handful of people can brag about achieving that milestone.
Even so, there are some players whose impact in the game was so big, that even though they were never able to win the ultimate prize, they still made their way to the Hall of Fame. It would be blasphemous not to induct them just because of their lack of jewelry.
So, without any further introduction, we’re about to honor the top 10 best MLB players never to win a World Series, walking you through their career accolades and why they made it to the Hall of Fame.
Honorable Mention:Robin Roberts, Juan Marichal,Ryne Sandberg, Billie Williams, Carlton Fisk
10. Willie McCovey
He was also known as ‘Stretch’. (Getty)
Willie McCovey spent most of his 22-year career with the San Francisco Giants, also playing for the San Diego Padres, and Oakland Athletics. He was one of the best postseason performers in the world in his prime but it was never enough to get over the hump.
McCovey was a 6-time All-Star, NL Rookie of the Year, NL MVP, 3-time home run leader, and 2-time RBI leader. He lost in the 1962 World Series and the 1971 NLCS despite his timely hitting. He’s one of the greatest left-handed power-hitters of all time.
9. Mike Piazza
He had a.308 batting average. (Getty)
Most catchers are known for their limited offensive repertoire but that wasn’t Mike Piazza‘s case. He’s perhaps the greatest hitting catcher of all time and still holds the record for most home runs in that position (427) 13 years after his retirement.
Piazza was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1993, a 10-time Silver Slugger, and 12-time All-Star. He was finally able to make it to the World Series in 2000 but the New York Yankees were just too much to handle for his overachieving New York Mets.
8.Nap Lajoie
He managed the Cleveland Naps after retiring. (Getty)
Most young baseball fans may not know much about Nap Lajoie but make no mistake, he’s one of the greatest second basemen in the history of baseball, and by far one of the best MLB players to never win a World Series.
Lajoie hit over .300 in 16 out of his 21 seasons in the league. He won the Triple Crown, was a 3-time RBI leader, led the AL in home runs, and was a 5-time AL batting champion. Surprisingly, he never even made it to the postseason.
7.Rod Carew
He had 1,015 RBIs over his career. (Getty)
Rod Carew is one of the deadliest hitters ever. He’s one of the few MLB players to top the 3,000 hit plateau, and, notably, he did it while batting for .328 over his 19-season career. That’s incredible consistency we’re talking about.
He was an 18-time All-Star, AL MVP, AL Rookie of the Year, 7-time AL batting champion, and had his number retired by both the Minnesota Twins and California/Los Angeles Angels. Sadly, he could never get past the ALCS.
see also
MLB managers with most World Series wins
6.Carl Yastrzemski
He was the last Triple Crown winner of the 20th century. (Getty)
Carl Yastrzmeski is one of the greatest baseball players of all time and by a long stretch. He was the best slugger in the game throughout his 23-year career with the Boston Red Sox. He was a synonym to durability and versatility.
Yastrzemski had 3,419 hits and was the first AL player to top the 400-home run mark. He was an 18-time All-Star, AL MVP, Triple Crown winner, 7-time Gold Glove winner, 3-time AL batting champion, AL RBI leader, and AL home run leader. He lost vs. the Reds in the 1975 World Series.
5. Tony Gwynn
His full name isAnthony Keith Gwynn Sr. (Getty)
The one and only ‘Mr. Padre’,Tony Gwynn, is yet another example of a legendary player punished by not joining a contending team. He was the ultimate slugger and never hit below .309 throughout his 20-season career.
Gwynn had 3,141 hits and a batting average of .338. He was a 15-time All-Star, 8-time NL batting champion, 5-time Gold Glove winner, and 7-time Silver Slugger. Unfortunately, he lost two World Series (1984 and 1998).
4. Ernie Banks
He played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. (Getty)
Ernie Banks is one of the biggest legends in Chicago Cubs history. He was one of the first players to break the color barrier in MLB and his philanthropic work was only topped by his huge impact as a first baseman.
Banks was the first player to win back-to-back NL MVPs. He was also a 14-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner, 2-time NL home run leader, and 2-time NL RBI leader. Sadly, the Cubs didn’t even make the playoffs during the 19 seasons he played for them, thus becoming one of the best MLB players to never win a World Series.
3. Ty Cobb
He played for the Tigers and Athletics. (Getty)
Most old-school fans will tell you that Ty Cobb is the greatest hitter in the history of baseball and I won’t be the one to disagree. At the end of the day, he has the numbers to back it up, racking up4,191 hits and breaking as much as 90 MLB records during his playing days.
Cobb had a .367 batting average (highest of all time). He was an AL MVP, Triple Crown winner, AL home run leader, 12-time AL batting champion, 4-time AL RBI leader, and 6-time AL stolen base winner. He played in 3 consecutive World Series with the Tigers but his teams could never get the job done.
2. Ted Williams
He served in World War II. (Getty)
Ted Williams was an American hero and one of the best MLB players ever. He spent his entire career with the Boston Red Sox and got his number retired after posting a batting average of .344, 2,654 hits, and had an on-base percentage of .482, which is the highest of all time.
Throughout his career, Williams was a 19-time All-Star, 2-time AL MVP, 2-time Triple Crown winner, 6-time AL batting champion, 4-time AL home run leader, and 4-time AL RBI leader. However, he could only play in one World Series (1946) and couldn’t live up to expectations, hittingjust .200 with 1 RBI.
1. Ken Griffey Jr
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. (Getty)
Many people consider Ken Griffey Jr the greatest baseball player of all time, even ahead of Babe Ruth, Mike Trout, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, and many others. Sadly, injuries always seemed to get the best of him, and the Seattle Mariners sure paid the price in the postseason.
Junior was a 13-time All-Star, AL MVP, 10-time Gold Glove winner, 7-time Silver Slugger, NL Comeback Player of the Year, AL RBI leader, and 4-time AL home run leader. He only made it to the postseason 4 times and could never get past the ALCS. Even so, he’s perhaps the best MLB player to never win a World Series ever.
