Best players that haven’t made it to the World Series
I was recently listening to the radio and the hosts were discussing some of the top NFL players that had never played in a Super Bowl. The conversation sparked my interest and made me think about some of the best baseball players that have yet to appear in a World Series and here’s what I came up with:
(Although the list just comprised of active players, I tried to stay away from rookies or players that are still young. Ex: Carlos Correa is the best active shortstop to never reach the World Series, but since he’s only played in 105 games, I opted for a veteran at shortstop.)
C Russell Martin – Over the course of his 10-year career, Martin has been to the postseason six times, but has yet to make it to the World Series. The three-time All-Star has been to Championship Series four times – twice in the AL and twice in the NL – most recently, with the Blue Jays in 2015.
1B Paul Goldschmidt – Goldschmidt may be the best first baseman in all of baseball, but he has just one postseason berth to show for it. The 28-year old has been an All-Star each of the past three seasons and is the heart of a line-up that finished second in the National League in runs last season. Likely to Goldschmidt’s pleasure, the D-backs made some big moves in the off-season, acquiring Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller. Perhaps that revamped rotation can get the D-backs back into the playoffs and give Goldschmidt another run at a ring.
2B Dee Gordon – Gordon has been an All-Star each of the past two seasons and was handsomly rewarded with a five-year $50 million contract earlier this month. The speedster played in October in 2013 and ’14, but the Dodgers fell short of the World Series each season.
SS Jose Reyes – Over 13 years, Reyes has been to four All-Star games, won a Silver Slugger Award, led the league in stolen bases three times and is a career .290 hitter. The 32-year old shortstop has an impressive resume on the field, but has only been to October once and missed a chance to play in the World Series by one game. The 2006 Mets lost the NLCS in seven games.
3B Todd Frazier – Frazier has been to the postseason twice, but the Reds fell short in 2012 and 2013. Although Frazier was a big favorite among the Cincinnati fanbase, the fact he was traded from the rebuilding Reds (and out of the incredibly difficult NL Central) to the White Sox certainly helps his odds to get back to the playoffs.
OF Ichiro – A 15-year veteran, 10 time All-Star and soon to be member of the 3,000 hit club. However, despite all the individual success, Ichiro has never been presented with the opportunity to play for the ultimate prize. Ichiro’s teams have made it to the playoffs just twice during his career and both times the Mariners lost in the ALCS.
OF Mike Trout – Trout is just 24 years old and probably too young to be included on this list, but a trip to the World Series is seemingly the only box unchecked on his resume. Trout has already set plenty of records and won a plethora of awards, but his playoff experience consists of just three games in 2014.
OF Jose Bautista – The 12-year veteran got his first taste of October baseball in 2015 and certainly did all he could to will the Blue Jays to a title. Bautista hit .293 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 11 games, but Toronto lost in the ALCS to the eventual champion Kansas City Royals.
OF Andrew McCutchen – The five-time All-Star has been at the heart of Pittsburgh’s recent resurgence and although the Pirates have fallen short in recent seasons, three straight playoff berths are definitely a sign things are moving in the right direction. The goal, of course, is to win, not just be close, but McCutchen does find himself in a favorable position here.
Honorable Mentions – Matt Wieters, Anthony Rizzo, Joe Mauer
P Clayton Kershaw – With a 4.59 postseason ERA, Kershaw has certainly disappointed in his 13 postseason games, but nevertheless he’s the top pitcher in the game and has yet to make it to the World Series. Kershaw has played in the NLCS twice (2008 and 2013).
P Zack Greinke – The 12-year veteran has made four trips to the postseason and has pitched fairly well, but hasn’t been able to get to the World Series. However, Greinke joined forces with Goldschmidt this year and perhaps the D-backs potent offense can help get the right-hander off this list.
P Felix Hernandez – Hernandez has won an AL Cy Young Award and been an All-Star six times, but has yet to pitch in the postseason. Despite all Hernandez’s talents, the Mariners have been unable to surround him with enough help to ever reach the playoffs, much less the World Series.
RP Huston Street – Across 11 seasons, Street has been to the playoffs three times, with three different teams. But, all three of those teams fell short. Street’s best shot came in 2006, when the A’s lost to the Tigers in the ALCS.
RP Craig Kimbrel – Kimbrel has been an All-Star in four of his six Major League seasons, but has never been past the NLDS. The right-hander has a career 1.35 postseason ERA in six appearances.
Honorable mentions – Jake Arrieta, Chris Sale, Kenley Jansen, Aroldis Chapman