Washington Nationals: 30 Years: 1982-2011
Kansas City Royals: 28 Years: 1986-2013
Texas Rangers: 35 Years: 1961-1995 (27 seasons)
Cleveland Indians: 40 Years: 1955-1994 (25 seasons)
Milwaukee Brewers: 25 Years: 1983-2007
Toronto Blue Jays: 21 Years: 1994-2014
Seattle Mariners: 20 Years: 2002-Current
Pittsburgh Pirates: 20 Years: 1993-2013
New Orleans Saints: 20 Years: 1967-1986
Yeah, baseball is definitely the one that has the longest streaks. Even when you take into account that the ones that take place before 1969 shouldn’t count, baseball still holds all five of the longest droughts. I said it earlier, and I’ll say it again. For those who had streaks before 1969, or through that season and beyond, it definitely stinks to miss out. However, there were no playoffs back then. Just a pennant and a trip to the World Series.
It’s what makes the Nationals streak, as well as the Royals streak, so insane. There’s also a bit of irony in the fact that the Nationals missed for so long, and the year they made it is when their divisional for, the Phillies, started missing the playoffs.
Through all of these streaks, there is one thing that stands out on most of the teams. Incredible prospects. The Royals were ranked number one and made the World Series a few years later. The Indians were loaded, as were the Brewers. Having Manny Ramirez, Ryan Braun, or Prince Fielder will do that for you.
So, the Mariners have the 7th longest streak of all-time, tied with the Saints and Pirates. We aren’t out of the woods yet, as the Mariners likely still need another piece or two to be considered a true contender. Things are looking up for Seattle though, and they should halt their drought soon… I hope.