25 notable Corridor of Famers who by no means gained a World Sequence

The do-it-all Walker was inducted into baseball’s Corridor of Fame in 2020, following a 17-year major-league profession. Throughout that legendary run, Walker was named an All-Star 5 occasions, gained seven Gold Gloves and was the NL MVP in 1997, when he batted .366, clubbed 49 dwelling runs and posted 130 RBI for the Colorado Rockies. However whereas Walker was a part of six groups between the Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals that reached the postseason — and even performed within the World Sequence with the latter in 2004 — he by no means gained a hoop.

The venerable Ferrell spent 18 seasons within the majors, enjoying for 3 totally different franchises from 1929-47. Among the many sport’s nice catchers of the time, Ferrell was a .281 lifetime hitter with 734 RBIs and was named to eight All-Star groups. Although thought-about one of many nice gamers to ever don the legendary uniform of the Boston Crimson Sox, Ferrell by no means gained a championship both with that famed franchise, the St. Louis Browns or Washington Senators. In actual fact, he performed on some fairly dangerous golf equipment throughout his profession.

Piazza’s .308 profession batting common is tied for the fourth highest amongst all catchers (listed as a main place) in MLB historical past. In the meantime, his 427 dwelling runs are essentially the most by anybody on the place. One of many nice offensive performers, no matter place, in baseball historical past throughout his 16 seasons, Piazza, a 2016 Corridor inductee, starred in baseball’s two greatest markets in Los Angeles and Chicago and was a part of eight groups to achieve the postseason. But, the 12-time All-Star’s solely journey to the World Sequence got here with the Mets in 2000, once they misplaced to the rival Yankees in 5 video games.

One of many nice dwelling run hitters of all time, Kiner went deep 369 occasions throughout his 10-year MLB profession from 1946-55. Most of Kiner’s big-league success got here with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who weren’t precisely aggressive throughout his tenure. In actual fact, the six-time All-Star by no means made a playoff look with Pittsburgh, the Chicago Cubs or Cleveland, which robbed followers from seeing one of many all-time greats, who batted .279 with 1,015 RBI for his profession enjoying on MLB’s greatest stage.

Speak about major-league longevity. The good Gaylord Perry performed in 22 big-league seasons with eight groups from 1962-83. He was the primary participant to win the Cy Younger Award in each the American and Nationwide Leagues. The 6-foot-4, intimidating right-hander appeared in additional than 770 video games and gained 314, whereas posting a profession 3.11 ERA, placing out 3,534 batters and throwing a no-hitter in 1968 with San Francisco. It additionally was with the Giants that Perry made his solely playoff look in 1971, pitching in two video games of the NL Championship Sequence. 

Halladay threw the second postseason no-hitter in MLB historical past , and went 3-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 5 playoff begins for the Philadelphia Phillies — all coming in 2010 and ’11. The Phillies did not attain the World Sequence both season, and Halladay’s profession ended two years later. However, it definitely was a particular one, with these 203 wins, 67 full video games, 2,117 strikeouts, two Cy Younger Awards, eight All-Star nods and a 3.38 ERA that spanned a Corridor of Fame profession that spanned 1998-2013. 

The beloved Milwaukee Brewers famous person performed all 20 seasons with the membership and was the consummate skilled. A .285 profession hitter, Yount was a three-time All-Star and gained the AL MVP in 1982, when he batted .331 with 29 dwelling runs and 114 RBI whereas additionally reaching his solely World Sequence with the Brewers. Yount gained the award once more in ’89, when he hit .318 and drove dwelling 103 RBI. Ten years after that particular season, Yount, who recorded a profession 3,142 hits and 1,406 RBIs, was inducted into the Corridor of Fame.

The legendary knuckleballer started his major-league profession in 1964, and ended it in 1987. Niekro spent most of that point within the Braves group, starting in Milwaukee after which in Atlanta. Niekro, who gained 318 video games, recorded 3,342 strikeouts and had a 3.35 profession ERA, made simply two playoff appearances throughout these 24 seasons. Each got here with Atlanta, first in 1969 and once more in ’82. The Braves did not win the NLCS both season. On the time, it appeared the ageless Corridor of Famer would have extra alternatives for a World Sequence ring, however that was to not be.

Arguably the very best second baseman by no means to win a World Sequence. After all, this Chicago Cubs legend by no means obtained the possibility to play in a World Sequence and his playoff resume reads of simply 10 video games in two seasons (1984, ’89) on the North Aspect. Nevertheless, Sandberg, the NL MVP in 1984, was a one-man present for years as a Cub, batting .285 for his profession, with 2,386 hits, 1,061 RBI, 282 dwelling runs (together with a Nationwide League-best 40 in 1990) and 9 Gold Glove Awards. 

One other Cub who by no means had a pleasure of experiencing a World Sequence. Going a step additional, Williams by no means even made a playoff look throughout his 16 seasons in Chicago, although he did with the Oakland A’s in 1975 — his second-to-last marketing campaign within the majors. A six-time All-Star, Williams was a .290 profession hitter, amassing greater than 2,700 hits, clubbed 426 dwelling runs and registered 1,475 RBI. The sweet-swinging marvel from Whistler, Ala., was as pure an offensive performer as they arrive. 

Sisler started his Corridor of Fame profession in 1915 each as a pitcher and place participant, and went 4-4 with a 2.83 ERA in 15 appearances (eight begins). From there, although, Sisler would get pleasure from almost all of his major-league success on the plate. He batted .340 for a profession that started in 1915 with the St. Louis Browns and resulted in 1930. The AL MVP in 1922, Sisler gained his first AL batting title in 1920, when he hit .407, and a second time two years later with a somewhat exceptional .420 effort. Sisler additionally drove in 1,178 runs and stole 375 bases, however by no means had the possibility to play for a World Sequence championship.

Lajoie’s Main League Baseball profession lined 21 seasons from 1896-1916. He gained the Triple Crown in 1901 with the Philadelphia Athletics, when he batted .426 with 14 dwelling run and 125 RBI in 131 video games, and has lengthy been thought-about one of the crucial sturdy and gifted gamers of his period. Lajoie additionally starred for the Cleveland Naps, however even along with his personal Corridor of Fame expertise (.338 profession batting common, 1,599 RBI) a World Sequence triumph eluded him. 

The good McCovey obtained his crack at a World Sequence championship in 1962, when his San Francisco Giants misplaced to the New York Yankees in seven video games. McCovey, who batted .270 with 521 homers and 1,555 RBI throughout his 22-year profession, solely hit .200 through the ’62 World Sequence. McCovey, a six-time All-Star, was a lot better when the Giants made the playoffs in 1971, going 6-for-14 with two dwelling runs whereas his membership misplaced the NL pennant to Pittsburgh.  

The 2024 Corridor of Fame inductee, who batted .286 with 477 homers, 1,707 RBIs and picked up greater than 3,100 hits throughout his 21-year profession (1998-2018), performed in 28 playoff video games for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers. That included a flip within the 2011 World Sequence, when the Rangers misplaced in seven to St. Louis, after seemingly being management of the collection. Although Beltre fell wanting the final word prize, the five-time Gold Glover and four-time All-Star gave his all within the pursuit.

Arguably the best participant within the historical past of the Chicago White Sox franchise, Appling performed all 20 seasons (1930-43, 1945-50) on the South Aspect, and in addition served in World Warfare II. A seven-time All-Star, and two-time AL batting champion, Appling was a profession .311 hitter, who additionally recorded greater than 1,100 RBI, 1,300 walks. Nevertheless, not as soon as throughout his Corridor of Fame run with the White Sox did Appling play in a postseason contest. Appling’s 2,422 video games performed with no playoff look rank second all time.

Earlier than serving within the U.S. Home of Representatives and Senate, Bunning was a nine-time All-Star. He spent 17 seasons (1955-71) within the majors, along with his most efficient years coming as a member of the Detroit Tigers (with who he tossed a no-hitter in 1958) and the Philadelphia Phillies (the membership for who he tossed his 1964 excellent sport). Over the course of his Corridor of Fame profession, the right-hander amassed 2,855 strikeouts and 224 victories. 5 occasions Bunning recorded at the very least 200 strikeouts in a season.

There are legends of the Boston Crimson Sox, then there’s “Yaz,” the man performed his complete profession in Boston (1961-83), the place he made he was named an All-Star 18 occasions and gained seven Gold Glove Awards. A .285 profession hitter with 3.419 hits and three batting titles to his title, Yaz additionally clubbed 452 dwelling runs and 1,844 RBI (a Crimson Sox file). After all, as a lifelong Boston baseball participant from the Nineteen Sixties, ’70s and ’80s, Yastrzemski by no means gained a World Sequence. Nevertheless, he did play in two of the them (1969 and ’75), when the Crimson Sox misplaced each in seven video games. 

Among the best pure hitters within the sport, Carew batted .328 and picked up 3,053 hits throughout his stellar 19-year profession with the Minnesota Twins and California Angels. Carew, an All-Star in all however a kind of seasons, was a part of solely 4 playoff groups throughout his MLB tenure. Two got here with the Twins (1969, ’70) and two extra with the Angels (1979, ’82). Whereas none of these groups managed to win a collection, Carew uncharacteristically batted a mere .220 with only one RBI and 9 strikeouts in 14 playoff video games mixed. 

One of many sport’s all-time nice hitters (3,141 hits, 543 doubles, .338 profession common), Gwynn is the best participant ever to go well with up for the San Diego Padres, the place he performed his complete profession (1982-2001). And, Gwynn was no stranger to playoff baseball, showing in 27 video games, whereas posting a .306 common with seven doubles and 11 RBI. Gwynn additionally performed in 9 World Sequence video games (1984, ’98), the place he hit .371. Sadly, Gwynn and the Padres went 1-8 in these contests.

Highlighting one other Minnesota Twins legend, Killebrew’s legendary profession spanned 1954-75. He was a 13-time All-Star and clubbed 573 dwelling runs with 1,584 RBI and was the AL MVP in 1969. And, when it got here to postseason play, Killebrew definitely had his shot at a World Sequence crown. He obtained there in 1965, and batted .286 with a house run within the Sequence, however the Twins misplaced to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven video games. Killebrew and the Twins performed for the AL pennant once more in 1969 and ’70, however did not win both season.

No offense to Larry Walker, however Jenkins is the best Canadian to ever play the sport. Jenkins started his profession with the Philadelphia Phillies, however most of his big-league success got here with the Chicago Cubs, with who he performed components of 10 seasons (1966-73, 1982-83). He gained at the very least 20 video games in six straight seasons from 1967-73, was a three-time All-Star and have become the primary Canadian and Cub to win the Cy Younger Award — going 24-13 with 263 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA in 1971. For his profession, Jenkins has 284 wins, 267 full video games with a 3.34 ERA and three,192 strikeouts. The fitting-hander was additionally the primary Canadian to be inducted into the Nationwide Baseball Corridor of Fame, however by no means made a World Sequence look, nor even an look within the postseason.

The one actually unhappy a part of Banks’ legendary 19-year profession, all spent with the Chicago Cubs, was that he by no means made a postseason look. “Mr. Cub” could be the one participant in MLB historical past most deserving of merely participating in a playoff sport. Banks’ stats definitely again it up: 2,583 hits, 512 homers, 1,636 RBI, a .273 common and .830 OPS. Nevertheless, it is Banks’ love of baseball and his position as ambassador, not only for the Cubs, however for the spirit of sport that make it a disgrace this specific Corridor of Famer by no means skilled postseason motion. In actual fact, his 2,528 profession video games with no playoff look are essentially the most in Main League Baseball historical past.

In his 22-year profession, Griffey made 18 playoff sport appearances, however by no means within the World Sequence. And, it isn’t like Griffey did not do his greatest to assist his groups get to the promised land, notably the Seattle Mariners in 1995 and ’97. Throughout his playoff profession, Junior hit .290 with six dwelling runs and 11 RBIs. The Mariners reached the ALCS in ’95, however that was the tip of the highway. There are some baseball historians who consider the 13-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glover ought to prime an inventory like this one.

Not the preferred participant within the historical past of professional baseball, however Cobb is within the argument for being the best. His .366 profession batting common stays the very best of all time. He set roughly 90 MLB data throughout his profession, which spanned 1905-28, largely with the Detroit Tigers. A 12-time batting champion, Cobb rapped 4,189 hits, together with 724 doubles, 237 triples and stole 897 bases, and had a profession OPS of .944. Nevertheless, Cobb’s Tigers posted a 5-12 file in World Sequence video games from 1907, ’08 and ’09 seasons, however almost obtained it achieved in 1909, the place they misplaced to Pittsburgh in seven video games.

No offense to Banks, Cobb or Griffey Jr., however Ted Williams stands above the remainder in the case of these legendary Corridor of Famers to by no means win a World Sequence. The actually unhappy a part of all of it is that the Boston Crimson Sox icon made the postseason simply as soon as throughout his implausible profession (1939-60). That got here with the 1946 World Sequence, when his Crimson Sox misplaced to St. Louis in seven video games. And, on a extra fascinating notice, Williams, who hit .344 with 521 dwelling runs and 1,839 RBI for his profession, batted simply .200 with out an extra-base hit in these seven World Sequence contests.