In MLB, winning the World Series is obviously the primary goal for (some) teams.
However, making the postseason is also a nice objective to have: since randomness is more a factor over the smaller sample of the playoffs, even teams not favored to take the trophy home can have a chance.
Besides, making it to October also has some financial benefits for organizations.
Not qualifying to the postseason for a long time can be a burden for franchises; not to mention that their fan bases become impatient and frustrated.
Stathead’s Jay Cuda posted an interesting chart with the current playoff droughts in MLB.
Current mlb playoff droughts pic.twitter.com/sGCaBEyJDy
— Jay Cuda (@JayCuda) January 21, 2023
A total of 12 teams made the playoffs last season and have a zero-year drought, logically.
The Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Francisco Giants didn’t make them in 2022 but were present in 2021.
The Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics (yes, we know), and the Minnesota Twins haven’t advanced since the pandemic season and their drought extended to two years.
The Washington Nationals have not advanced since they won the World Series in 2019, while the Colorado Rockies’ streak of years with no postseason is up to four.
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ drought is at five, whereas the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles are at six years.
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Kansas City Royals are at seven years: in fact, the latter won the World Series that year (2015).
The longest playoff droughts in MLB belong to the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers, at eight years each (2014).
Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, David Price and Robbie Ray were on the Tigers, not to mention a prime Miguel Cabrera, Nick Castellanos, Torii Hunter, and Victor Martinez.
Mike Trout was leading the Angels that year, who also had Huston Street, Jered Weaver, David Freese, Howie Kendrick, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and Raul Ibanez.
What a time to be alive.
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