Sep 17, 1991; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Diego Padres right fielder Tony Gwynn on the field prior to a game against the Houston Astros at Jack Murphy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
These are the 10 best players in MLB history that were never able to win a World Series 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
