Drought Watch II

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Last year's Drought Watch was so popular that it became a Featured Archive!

Here we go again, with Drought Watch II. Last year the White Sox ended an 88-year World Championship drought, as well as a 46-year pennant drought. The Astros ended a 44-year pennant drought.

There won't be anything quite so dramatic this year. Among the four remaining teams, each of whom last won a World Series in the 1980's, the Tigers are the farthest removed from their last pennant, the World Championship season of 1984. As far as World Series victories go, the Mets aren't that far behind them. (Their 2000 NL Championship leaves them in a better position on the second list.)

The Cardinals won the pennant only two years ago, but their last World Series victory was way back in 1982, so they have the largest monkey on their back of the four teams.

It's also been a while since the Athletics have won; their last pennant was in 1990 and their last World Championship was in 1989.

Also, the current string of six different World Champions in the last six years will be extended this season. There was a string of ten winners in ten years from 1978 through 1987. (Yankees, Pirates, Phillies, Dodgers, Cardinals, Orioles, Tigers, Royals, Mets, Twins.)


Most years without a World Championship

1 year	Chicago White Sox	2005
2 years	Boston Red Sox	2004
3 years	Florida Marlins	2003
4 years	Anaheim Angels	2002
5 years	Arizona Diamondbacks	2001
6 years	New York Yankees	2000
11 years	Atlanta Braves	1995
13 years	Toronto Blue Jays	1993
15 years	Minnesota Twins	1991
16 years	Cincinnati Reds	1990
17 years	Oakland Athletics	1989
18 years	Los Angeles Dodgers	1988
20 years	New York Mets	1986
21 years	Kansas City Royals	1985
22 years	Detroit Tigers	1984
23 years	Baltimore Orioles	1983
24 years	St. Louis Cardinals	1982
26 years	Philadelphia Phillies	1980
27 years	Pittsburgh Pirates	1979
52 years	New York (SF) Giants	1954
58 years	Cleveland Indians	1948
98 years	Chicago Cubs	1908

Never Won a World Championship

9 years	Tampa Bay Devil Rays
14 years	Colorado Rockies
30 years	Seattle Mariners
38 years	Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos)
38 years	San Diego Padres
38 years	Milwaukee Brewers (Seattle Pilots)
45 years	Houston Astros
45 years	Texas Rangers (Washington Senators)

Most years without a League Championship

1 year	Chicago White Sox	2005
1 year	Houston Astros	2005
2 years	Boston Red Sox	2004
2 years	St. Louis Cardinals	2004
3 years	Florida Marlins	2003
3 years	New York Yankees	2003
4 years	Anaheim Angels	2002
4 years	San Francisco Giants	2002
5 years	Arizona Diamondbacks	2001
6 years	New York Mets	2000
7 years	Atlanta Braves	1999
8 years	San Diego Padres	1998
9 years	Cleveland Indians	1997
13 years	Toronto Blue Jays	1993
13 years	Philadelphia Phillies	1993
15 years	Minnesota Twins	1991
16 years	Cincinnati Reds	1990
16 years	Oakland Athletics	1990
18 years	Los Angeles Dodgers	1988
21 years	Kansas City Royals	1985
22 years	Detroit Tigers	1984
23 years	Baltimore Orioles	1983
24 years	Milwaukee Brewers	1982
27 years	Pittsburgh Pirates	1979
61 years	Chicago Cubs	1945

Never Won a League Championship

9 years	Tampa Bay Devil Rays
14 years	Colorado Rockies
30 years	Seattle Mariners
38 years	Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos)
46 years	Texas Rangers (Washington Senators)

[Willets Point]

This year does feel like the 80's all over again. Among the eliminated teams too, the Dodgers (81,88) last won in the 80's and the Twins (87,91) in the late 80's/early 90's.