BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 31: The Boston Red Sox World Series Trophies on display at Fenway Park before the Victory Parade around Boston on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Here are the 30 best players to never have won a World Series.
30. Ron Santo
MESA, AZ – APRIL, 1962: Ron Santo #10 of the Chicago Cubs swings at the pitch during an MLB Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers circa April, 1962 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Hy Peskin/Getty Images)
Never appeared in the postseason with the Cubs
29. Trevor Hoffman
CHICAGO – 1992: Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres pitches during an MLB game versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois during the 1992 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Second in career saves but lost in his only World Series try
28. Larry Walker
Jul 21, 2024; Cooperstown, New York, USA; Hall of Famer Larry Walker is introduced during the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Made the World Series with the Cardinals in 2004 but never won a ring
27. Ralph Kiner
Never appeared in the playoffs despite being an NL home run king
26. Gaylord Perry
Apr 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry throws out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Won 314 games but made it to the NLCS only once
25. Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas #35, Designated Hitter for the Chicago White Sox eyes the ball as he swings his bat during the Major League Baseball American League East game against the New York Yankees on 26 July 1998 at Yankee Stadium, New York, New York, United States. The Yankees won the game 6 – 3. (Photo by David Seelig/Getty Images)
Never got further than the ALCS
24. Andre Dawson
SAN DIEGO – 1986: Andre Dawson #10 of the Montreal Expos swings during a 1986 season game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
The first player on a last-place team to win the MVP but never a ring
23. Fergie Jenkins
(Original Caption) Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs at Spring Training camp.
A Hall of Famer who never got to pitch in the playoffs
22. Jim Thome
CLEVELAND – CIRCA 1999: Jim Thome #25 of the Cleveland Indians bats during an MLB game at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Thome played for 22 seasons, with 6 different teams, was a 5-time All-Star and was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. (Photo by SPX/Ron Vesely Photography via Getty Images)
Made two World Series with Cleveland but never took home the trophy
21. Robin Yount
Aug 1982; Cleveland, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Robin Yount (19) at bat against the Cleveland Indians during the 1982 season at Cleveland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Lost in the 1982 World Series to the Cardinals despite hitting over .400 in the series.
20. Barry Bonds
7 Oct 2001: Barry Bonds #25 of the San Francisco Giants watches his 73rd home run hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Harry How/ALLSPORT
Like him or not, it was somewhat surprising that he never won a ring
19. Jeff Bagwell
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 19: Jeff Bagwell #5 of the Houston Astros looks on for a pitch during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 19,1997 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Underperformed in his only World Series, losing to Chicago
18. Ryne Sandberg
CHICAGO – JUNE 15: Ryne Sandberg #23 of the Chicago Cubs hits the ball during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on June 15, 1983 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Played well in the NLCS the two times he made it
17. Mike Piazza
Mets catcher Mike Piazza warms up his arm during practice before the fourth game of the World Series against the Yankees at Shea Stadium in Flushing, NY Wednesday October 25, 2000.
Lost in the Subway Series to the Yankees
16. Nellie Fox
Struck out only 216 times in his career and lost in his only shot at the World Series
15. George Sisler
Never made the playoffs in his 15-year career
14. Luke Appling
1940: Luke Appling, of the Chicago White Sox, poses for a portrait, circa 1940. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images)
One of the elite hitters of his time, Appling never played in a World Series
13. Robin Roberts
Appeared in one WS where the Yankees swept Philadelphia
12. Juan Marichal
(Original Caption) 8/28/1970-San Francisco, CA: Juan Marichal, high-kicking San Francisco Giants pitching ace, pitched an 8-hitter defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1, thus becoming the second active pitcher in the major leagues to win 200 games. Marichal is shown in 8th inning delivery.
9x All-Star who only made the World Series once
11. Harmon Killebrew
Unknown date; Cleveland, OH; USA; FILE PHOTO; Minnesota Twins first baseman Harmon Killebrew at the plate against the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Hit 573 home runs but never won a ring
10. Rod Carew
Panamanian-American baseball infielder Rod Carew, of the Minnesota Twins, pictured at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 1969. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
7x batting champion but never got past the ALCS
9. Carl Yastrzemski
The Boston Red Sox’ Carl Yastrzemski batting in the third game of the World Series in St Louis, Missouri, October 7th 1967. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
“Yaz” was the last player to hit for the Triple Crown in the 20th Century but lost in seven games in 1975 to Cincinnati.
8. Tony Gwynn
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1993: Tony Gwynn #19 of the San Diego Padres poses for this photo circa 1993. Gwynn played for the Padres from 1982-01. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
15x All-Star but played on San Diego teams that lost twice in the World Series
7. Willie McCovey
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 1: Willie McCovey #44 of the San Francisco Giants swings at the pitch during an MLB game against the Chicago Cubs on June 1, 1960 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The Cubs catcher is Earl Averill #6 and the home plate umpire is Dusty Boggess. (Photo by Hy Peskin/Getty Images) (Set Number: X6739)
Tied for 18th on the home runs list but lost in the 1962 World Series
6. Ichiro Suzuki
TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 21: Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners at bat in the 8th inning, last plate appearance, during the game between Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics at Tokyo Dome on March 21, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)
The greatest Japanese player to play in the MLB, but could not bring a ring home to Japan
5. Ken Griffey Jr.
SEATTLE – SEPTEMBER 20: Ken Griffey Jr #24 of the Seattle Mariners makes a hit during the game against the New York Yankees on September 20, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
“Junior” made the game look effortless on offense and defense but never played a World Series game
4. Nap Lajoie
Nap Lajoie, Cleveland Al (Baseball), 1913. Creator: Harris & Ewing. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
One of the greatest second basemen, but never played in the postseason
3. Ty Cobb
(Original Caption) 1921-Ty Cobb.
Played in three straight World Series but never won
2. Ernie Banks
(Original Caption) Mesa, Arizona: Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs during spring training.
“Mr. Cub” never played in the postseason.
1. Ted Williams
circa 1955: Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams (1918 – 2002) in a gray uniform, holding a baseball bat in a baseball stadium. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The last player to hit .400 in a season, lost twice in the World Series
