The best players to never win a World Series

An individual can only do so much in a baseball game, and that is why some of the greatest players in MLB history have never won a World Series. Here are the top five.

5. Tony Gwynn

Hall of Fame right fielder Tony Gwynn was one of baseball’s all-time greatest hitters.The seven-time Silver Slugger led the NL in batting average eight times, including a four-year streak from 1994 to 1997. Gwynn also won five Gold Gloves.

But since "Mr. Padre" spent each of his 20 big-league seasons in San Diego – which has never won a World Series – he never got a taste of championship glory. The closest Gwynn got was 1998, at age 38, when his team got swept by the Yankees in the Fall Classic.

4. Ken Griffey Jr.

Despite being an outstanding all-around talent, Ken Griffey Jr. never even made it to a World Series.

Griffey’s talents weren’t limited to the plate, where he clubbed 630 home runs (seventh all-time). He also provided stellar defense in center field, winning 10 Gold Gloves over his 22-year career.

Griffey got as far as the ALCS in 1995 before being eliminated by the Indians. He was hardly to blame, however, as he smacked six homers in 11 postseason games.

3. Ernie Banks

A sensational shortstop for many years in Chicago, Ernie Banks endured more than his fair share of losing seasons over a 19-year career that stretched from 1953 to 1971.

"Mr. Cub" won consecutive MVP Awards in 1958 and 1959, but his team finished below .500 on both occasions. The 14-time All-Star had what looked like a sure shot at playoff baseball for the first time in his career at age 38 in 1969, but Banks’ team swooned in the second half and was caught by the "Miracle Mets."

2. Ty Cobb

Despite being the greatest hitter of his era, and arguably of any era, Ty Cobb never won a World Series.

"The Georgia Peach" won a staggering 11 batting titles from 1907 to 1919 and retired as baseball’s all-time leader in batting average (.367). But Cobb, who appeared in three straight World Series from 1907 to 1909, hit just .262 in 17 total postseason games and his Tigers were defeated on each occasion.

1. Ted Williams

Perhaps the greatest player to ever patrol left field, the legendary Ted Williams made just one World Series appearance, a heartbreaking 4-3 series loss in 1946.

Williams was one of baseball’s greatest hitters – he was the last MLB player to bat .400 or better in a season, when he hit .406 in 1941 – and also among it’s most feared. "The Splendid Splinter" led the majors in walks seven times during his 19-year career and retired with a .482 OBP – the highest in baseball history.

But the two-time MVP and Triple Crown winner was not his usual brilliant self in the 1946 Fall Classic. Unfortunately, Williams suffered an injured elbow in an exhibition game just days before the World Series and couldn’t swing a bat until the eve of Game 1. He went 5-for-25 (.200) over seven games with no homers and just one RBI. 

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