Counting down the World Series droughts from shortest to longest

With the Washington Nationals winning the franchise's first World Series, it's worth taking a look at which franchises are riding relatively high and which ones are in a perpetual cycle of anguish.

We'll work backward from the most recent victors all the way to the franchise that has waited the longest since its last championship.

First, let's take a look at the teams that have never won the Fall Classic.

Tampa Bay Rays

Last appearance: 2008

The Rays reached the World Series after posting their first winning record in franchise history with 97 victories, which is still the most Tampa has secured in a single campaign. Ultimately, the Rays fell to the Phillies in five games and haven't made it back to the dance despite being consistently competitive while dealing with tight purse strings and extremely low attendance.

Colorado Rockies

Last appearance: 2007

The Rockies got an ever-so-brief taste of the World Series more than a decade ago and still await their first win. The Boston Red Sox steamrolled Colorado in four games by a combined score of 29-10. Since then, the Rockies have reached the postseason three times, winning a grand total of two games.

Seattle Mariners

Last appearance: Never

The Mariners have never played a World Series game and haven't even made the postseason since their incredible 116-win campaign in 2001. That year ended when the New York Yankees beat them in five games in the American League Championship Series. After going 68-94 in 2019, Seattle seems a long way off from a return.

Milwaukee Brewers

Last appearance: 1982

The Brewers' lone World Series berth ended in heartbreak, as they lost in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals after leading the series 3-2. Milwaukee didn't return to the postseason until 2008. However, Christian Yelich has instilled an element of hope, and they very nearly won the NL pennant in 2018 when they pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers to seven games.

San Diego Padres

Last appearance: 1998

The perpetually rebuilding Padres just suffered through their ninth straight losing season. The Friars haven't won a playoff series since 1998 when they took their second NLCS in franchise history. Unfortunately, they ran into the Yankees dynasty of the late 1990s.

Texas Rangers

Last appearance: 2011

It's not quite Buffalo Bills territory, but losing the World Series in back-to-back years - the only times Texas has made it - is a tough pill to swallow. In fact, since the Rangers debuted in 1961, only the Yankees, Dodgers (twice), and Atlanta Braves have also suffered consecutive defeats in the World Series.

The Winners

Boston Red Sox - 2018

Last appearance: 2018

The Red Sox ran roughshod over the competition - including a dominant Houston Astros squad - to win the franchise's fourth championship since 2004. And other than an 18-inning loss, Boston handled the Dodgers in five games, while left-hander David Price finally shook the reputation of being a postseason choke artist by posting a pair of wins with a 1.98 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 13 2/3 innings.

Houston Astros - 2017

Last appearance: 2019

In an alternate timeline, the Astros have won three consecutive championships. Instead, a would-be dynasty may be turning into a major example of "what could have been." This is still an impressive team, and it won a seven-game home run derby during which it and the Dodgers combined to hit 25 home runs, including five from World Series MVP George Springer.

Chicago Cubs - 2016

Last appearance: 2016

The 2016 World Series was one of the most dramatic affairs in baseball over the last decade, as two long-suffering franchises went head to head. The Cubs trailed the Cleveland Indians 3-1 in the series before mounting an epic comeback to take it in the 10th inning of Game 7. Rajai Davis' game-tying home run against Aroldis Chapman in the eighth - followed by Jason Heyward's rain-delay speech - added to the already heightened stakes. But the Cubs ultimately pulled through thanks to series MVP Ben Zobrist's and Miguel Montero's heroics.

Kansas City Royals - 2015

Last appearance: 2015

The Royals took advantage of a very small competition window to win it all in their second crack at the Fall Classic. Before Kansas City reached back-to-back World Series in 2014 and 2015, it hadn't made it to the postseason since 1985. The core group responsible - Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, and Mike Moustakas - has moved on, and Alex Gordon may be retiring. World Series MVP Salvador Perez and Danny Duffy are the only remaining vestiges of that championship squad.

San Francisco Giants - 2014

Last appearance: 2014

Even-year magic reigned supreme in San Francisco during the first half of the decade, as the Giants won their third championship in five years. Prior to this unbelievable run, the franchise hadn't won a World Series since moving to the Bay Area from New York in 1958. Only the Red Sox have more titles than the Giants do since the turn of the millennium.

St. Louis Cardinals - 2011

Last appearance: 2013

With apologies to the Cubs-Indians finale, Game 6 between the Cardinals and Texas Rangers was the most thrilling World Series contest of the decade. The Cardinals were down to their final out on two occasions and rallied back both times. David Freese tripled in the ninth and hit the game-winner in the 11th. It served as one heck of a send-off for Albert Pujols, who signed his massive deal with the Los Angeles Angels that offseason.

New York Yankees - 2009

Last appearance: 2009

Ten years between titles isn't all that bad. But for the Yankees, it's an eternity, as this was the first decade since the 1910s that they failed to play in the Fall Classic. Hideki Matsui left New York after winning the 2009 World Series and truly earning his MVP award. He hit .615/.643/1.385 with three home runs in six games against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia Phillies - 2008

Last appearance: 2009

The Phillies probably should have won multiple championships with the core of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Co., but they had to settle for just one. A 24-year-old Cole Hamels was terrific throughout the postseason, earning MVP honors in both the NLCS and World Series. Howard hit three homers against the upstart Rays and Jayson Werth batted .444 over the five-game set.

Chicago White Sox - 2005

Last appearance: 2005

The White Sox beat the Astros in what was the most competitive sweep of all time. No game was decided by more than two runs, and Chicago finished the job with a 1-0 victory thanks to an RBI single from World Series MVP Jermaine Dye in the eighth inning. It might be a while before the South Siders return due to an ongoing rebuild.

Miami (Florida) Marlins - 2003

Last appearance: 2003

The Marlins have been a punchline for much of their existence, especially during the last decade, but they did manage to win a pair of championships in their first 11 seasons. Trailing 2-1 in the series, the Marlins rallied to win three straight, including series MVP Josh Beckett's complete-game gem in Game 6. The Marlins haven't been to the postseason since and have suffered through 10 consecutive losing seasons.

Los Angeles (Anaheim) Angels - 2002

Last appearance: 2002

Despite being around since 1961, the Angels have played in only a single World Series, and they made the most of it by defeating Barry Bonds and the Giants in seven games. In the losing effort, Bonds hit .471 with four home runs and 13 walks. While not quite as daunting, series MVP Troy Glaus was the Angels' primary power threat by mashing three homers and tying Scott Spiezio for the team lead with eight RBIs. The victory ensured that an iconic group of Angels including Darin Erstad, Tim Salmon, and Garret Anderson would hoist a championship after all.

Arizona Diamondbacks - 2001

Last appearance: 2001

The Diamondbacks won it all in just their fourth season and it came in a classic seven-game set. It was the Randy Johnson-Curt Schilling show. The Big Unit won three games - including both Game 6 and Game 7 - while posting a microscopic 1.04 ERA. Johnson went seven strong in Game 6 and came out the next day to finish off the Yankees in relief of Schilling and Miguel Batista. Schilling shared MVP honors, as he led all pitchers with 21 1/3 innings across three starts. He struck out 26 and posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.66 WHIP. No bloody sock, but it was unbelievable nonetheless.

Atlanta Braves - 1995

Last appearance: 1999

The 1991-to-2005 Braves are an interesting comparison to the current iteration of the Dodgers. Great pitching, divisional dominance, and constant disappointment in the postseason. Atlanta wore the NL East crown 14 times in 15 seasons and won one of its five World Series appearances. Series MVP Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux led the way, but Steve Avery was also lights-out in his lone start. Rookie of the Year runner-up Chipper Jones provided for future hope.

Toronto Blue Jays - 1993

Last appearance: 1993

The Blue Jays won back-to-back championships before their now-prolonged drought, with a brief two-year window in 2015 and 2016 closing rather rapidly. Joe Carter's series-clinching homer - "Touch 'em all Joe!" - remains one of the greatest moments in baseball playoff history. But it was Paul Molitor who carried Toronto to the finish line by batting .500 (12-for-24) in the six-game series against the Phillies, capturing MVP honors in the process.

Minnesota Twins - 1991

Last appearance: 1991

Series MVP Jack Morris is a polarizing figure, particularly when it comes to his Hall of Fame credentials. But his showing in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series is worthy of enshrinement all its own. He threw 10 - yes, 10 - shutout innings on 126 pitches while striking out eight. The closest Minnesota has come to revisiting the Fall Classic was a trip to the 2002 ALCS, which it lost in five games to the eventual champions Angels.

Cincinnati Reds - 1990

Last appearance: 1990

Perhaps not as celebrated as the Big Red Machine of the 1970s, the last championship squad from Cincinnati laid waste to the Oakland Athletics. Chris Sabo (.563) and Billy Hatcher (.750) propelled the offense, but 25-year-old righty Jose Rijo was tabbed as the most integral player to the club's success in the series. Rijo allowed one run over 15 1/3 innings in two starts, including a masterful 8 1/3 in the series clincher. Jose Canseco hit .083 and Mark McGwire didn't register an extra-base knock.

Oakland Athletics - 1989

Last appearance: 1990

The A's may have floundered in 1990, but they rode a similar roster to glory the year prior when they swept the Giants in the iconic Bay Bridge Series. It's most remembered for the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit San Francisco just before Game 3, which was the subject of ESPN's "The Day the Series Stopped" as part of its "30 for 30" series. Dave Stewart was a monster on the mound while Rickey Henderson hit .474 with a home run and three stolen bases.

Los Angeles Dodgers - 1988

Last appearance: 2018

Orel Hershiser won the MVP, but the series belongs to Kirk Gibson's lone at-bat. A hobbled Gibson hammered an iconic pinch-hit, two-run home run against Dennis Eckersley to walk off Game 1 in a moment that has been endlessly replayed in the three decades since. This era's Dodgers, however dominant they are during the regular season, have perpetually come up short in the postseason.

New York Mets - 1986

Last appearance: 2015

More famous for Bill Buckner's error, the 1986 Mets were a true powerhouse team. Their 108 regular-season wins are still a franchise record and they featured Darryl Strawberry, Gary Carter, Lenny Dykstra, Keith Hernandez, Mookie Wilson, Wally Backman, Dwight Gooden, Ron Darling, and more. Darling posted a 1.53 ERA in three starts and Bob Ojeda was almost as good in his 13 innings (2.08 ERA).

Detroit Tigers - 1984

Last appearance: 2012

The Tigers blew their best chance in three decades when they won the AL Central in four straight years but failed when it came to the follow-through. In 1984, the Tigers handled the Padres fairly easily. And while they got offensive contributions from a variety of players (Kirk Gibson, Chet Lemon, Lou Whitaker, and Lance Parrish) and a couple of complete games from Jack Morris, it was series MVP Alan Trammell who proved nigh impossible to get out. He hit .450 with a pair of Game 4 homers.

Baltimore Orioles - 1983

Last appearance: 1983

A pair of 100-win Orioles teams came up short at the end of the 1970s, but the 1983 edition wouldn't be denied. The championship corresponded with Cal Ripken Jr. winning his first AL MVP award. After dropping Game 1, Baltimore won four straight against the Phillies, including a 5-0 shutout to close it out with Scott McGregor throwing the complete game. Rick Dempsey batted .385 with a 1.390 OPS to take MVP honors.

Pittsburgh Pirates - 1979

Last appearance: 1979

The Pirates were one of baseball's powerhouses in the 1970s, posting a winning record every year and taking home the Commissioner's Trophy in 1971 and 1979. It was a magical swan song for the 39-year-old Willie Stargell. He won the NL MVP (shared with Keith Hernandez) and was named the top player in both the NLCS and World Series. He hit five home runs in the postseason while batting .415/.435/.927 over 10 games. The Pirates haven't sniffed the NLCS since 1992.

Cleveland Indians - 1948

Last appearance: 2016

Cleveland took over the mantle as baseball's most depressing franchise when the Cubs finally ended their century-long dry spell. The last Indians' championship squad was a good one, featuring future Hall of Famers Lou Boudreau (1948 AL MVP), Larry Doby, Joe Gordon, Bob Lemon, and Bob Feller. Lemon may have taken the World Series MVP had it been awarded. He went 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA over 16 1/3 innings, stifling the Boston Braves' lineup in the process.