Which team has the longest World Series drought in the history of the game?

Which team has the longest World Series drought in the history of the game?

Steve Njuguna
updated at December 1, 2023 at 1:58 PM

The World Series title is the apple of the eye of all teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). Five MLB franchises have yet to win a World Series Title. This article focuses on the longest World Series drought in the history of the game and how long it has lasted.

Longest World Series drought
The Houston Astros hoist the 2022 World Series Trophy. Photo by Carmen Mandato
Source: Getty Images

To win the World Series, you have to qualify for the playoffs during the regular MLB season, then beat all of your divisional rivals before playing in the final World Series decider. The process is long and arduous, and that is why some teams have never managed to win the title despite having very good players.

Which team has the longest-ever World Series drought ever in the history of the game?

The team with the longest drought ever is the Chicago Cubs, who ended a long-standing World Series drought in 2016. The Cubs' last championship before that was in 1908. Therefore, the Cubs endured a 108-year championship drought, the longest in the history of Major League Baseball. The team's victory in the 2016 World Series was a historic and highly celebrated moment for Cubs fans, as they defeated the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling seven-game series.

Chicago Cubs
Roberto Perez of the Cubs runs the bases after hitting a home run in Game One of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. Photo by Gregory Shamus
Source: Getty Images

Who has the current longest World Series drought in the history of the MLB?

The Cleveland Indians (now known as the Cleveland Guardians) have been grappling with the longest World Series drought ever in Major League Baseball history. Their last championship victory occurred in 1948, and since then, the franchise has faced numerous challenges and near misses in its quest to reclaim baseball's ultimate prize. Their drought even outlasts some expansion teams who have never won a title, such as the Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners.

What are the other baseball teams with the longest World Series droughts?

Here is a list of the top ten World Series droughts from MLB franchises:

Team

Drought

Cleveland Indians

1948-ongoing

Milwaukee Brewers

No title since its inception in 1969

San Diego Padres

No title since its inception in 1969

Seattle Mariners

No titles since its inception in 1977

Pittsburgh Pirates

1979-ongoing

Baltimore Orioles

1983- ongoing

Detroit Tigers

1984- ongoing

New York Mets

1986- ongoing

Oakland Athletics

1989- ongoing

Cincinnati Reds

1990 - ongoing

What is the longest World Series drought from the New York Yankees?

The era with the longest World Series drought from the New York Yankees is generally considered to be the period between 1979 and 1995. The Yankees' last World Series title before this drought was in 1978. During the drought, the team went through a phase of transition, facing challenges on and off the field. They experienced a period of rebuilding and fell short in several postseason appearances.

The drought finally ended in 1996 when the Yankees, led by manager Joe Torre, won the World Series by defeating the Atlanta Braves. This victory marked the beginning of a new era of success for the Yankees, as they went on to win multiple championships in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Yankees win in 1996
Members of the New York Yankees celebrate on the field after defeating the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 World Series. Photo by Tom DiPace/MLB Photos
Source: Getty Images

What is the longest World Series drought from the Boston Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox had a well-known championship drought that lasted for 86 years (1918-2004). This period, often referred to as the "Curse of the Bambino," was said to have happened on the team after they sold Hall of Fame hitter Babe Ruth. The slump ended in 2004 when the Red Sox won the World Series by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals. The victory was a significant moment in the team's history, and it marked the end of one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports.

Who has the current longest postseason drought in the MLB?

Getting to the playoffs is the primary objective of every MLB team at the beginning of the season and is one of the key yardsticks with which a franchise is judged. As of 2023, the longest current post-season drought is shared jointly by the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers, who have not seen the playoffs in eight seasons.

Being the team with the longest World Series drought is a tag that weighs heavily on the fans and players of the Cleveland Indians. The day they break that streak, the celebrations will be as huge as the day the Red Sox broke their century-long drought in 2004.

READ MORE: Who are the 20 best Astros players of all time? Find out all the details here

Sports Brief recently detailed the 20 best Astros players of all time. The Houston Astros have been a consistent contender in the past decade, winning World Series honours in 2017 and 2022.

Some of their best players include Jose Altuve and George Springer. Who else is on the list of the best Astros players of all time?

Authors
Steve Njuguna photo
Steve Njuguna
Steve Njuguna is a media professional with close to a decade of experience in the sports media industry. He has previously worked as a sports journalist with Bamba Sports TV, Vybez Radio and The Nairobian newspaper.