MLB’s Five Franchises Still Chase First World Series Title, Highlighting Mariners’ 2025 Near-Miss

Twenty-five of MLB's 30 teams have won at least one World Series. Five franchises have yet to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy: the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays.

Ingress: The quest for the MLB World Series title remains elusive for five franchises, including the Seattle Mariners, the only team to have never reached the Fall Classic. This article explores the histories and recent performances of these teams, focusing on the Mariners’ heartbreaking near-miss in 2025 and their prospects moving forward.

• Five MLB franchises—the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays—have never won a World Series.
• The Seattle Mariners are the only team in MLB history never to have appeared in the World Series despite four appearances in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
• In 2025, the Mariners came within eight outs of their first World Series berth but lost Game 7 of the ALCS to the Toronto Blue Jays after a late three-run homer.
• Other franchises like the Padres, Brewers, Rays, and Rockies have made limited World Series appearances but still lack a title.
• The Mariners possess a strong roster core locked into long-term contracts and appear poised to contend again in the coming years despite the 2025 playoff setback.

The five MLB franchises still chasing the World Series

Twenty-five of the 30 MLB teams have claimed at least one World Series since the league’s inception. The five holdouts include the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays—franchises founded primarily after the 1960s expansion era.

The Rockies, founded in 1993, have made a single World Series appearance in 2007 but were swept by the Boston Red Sox. They have never won their division, relying mostly on wild-card entries.

The Brewers, established in 1970, reached the World Series once in 1982 but lost a thrilling seven-game series to the St. Louis Cardinals. They have made several playoff runs, including reaching the National League Championship Series (NLCS) in 2018 and again in 2025.

The Padres, debuting in 1969, have twice made World Series appearances—in 1984 and 1998—but remain without a championship. Their 1998 team was swept by the New York Yankees, and they hold the distinction of being the oldest MLB franchise without a World Series title.

Tampa Bay Rays, youngest of the five founded in 1998, have contended in the Fall Classic twice but lost in 2008 and 2020 to the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively.

Seattle Mariners: The elusive World Series berth

History and playoff struggles

The Seattle Mariners, founded in 1977, stand out as the sole MLB team to have never made a World Series appearance in their 49-plus year history. The team has qualified for the playoffs six times but has only advanced as far as the ALCS on four occasions: 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2025.

Despite posting notable regular season achievements, including tying the MLB single-season wins record with 116 victories in 2001, the Mariners have consistently faltered in the ALCS against dominant teams such as the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees.

They have secured four division titles but have yet to capitalize on those accomplishments with a Fall Classic appearance. This enduring playoff ceiling remains a source of frustration for the franchise and its dedicated fanbase.

The 2025 ALCS heartbreak

The Mariners’ 2025 postseason run was both historic and heartbreaking. They reached the ALCS for a fourth time and came tantalizingly close to snapping their World Series drought. In Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle held a two-run lead late into the seventh inning.

However, a crushing three-run home run by Blue Jays’ George Springer off Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo erased their lead and proved to be the decisive blow in a 4-3 loss. Bazardo, a key bullpen performer all season, was unable to secure the save in only his second blown save of the year.

Despite the Mariners’ strong start—building leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-1 during the game—their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities plagued them. They stranded seven runners and produced a .195 batting average with men in scoring position during the series.

Fan and player reactions

The loss was deeply felt by players, coaches, and fans alike. Cal Raleigh, a cornerstone player, candidly acknowledged the sting and labeled the season’s end a “failure” by the team’s high standards. Manager Dan Wilson praised his team’s historic effort but faced the cruel reality of a missed opportunity.

Fans expressed a mix of sorrow and optimism. Some, like Ari Zansberg who had traveled from France to witness the games, spoke of a "curse," while others dismissed superstition, insisting that baseball comes down to skill and execution.

The Mariners' faithful, however, appreciated the excitement and promise the 2025 campaign provided, sparking hope for future postseason success.

Looking ahead: Mariners' prospects and organizational outlook

The Mariners enter the 2026 season with a solid foundation of homegrown talent and contract stability. Key players such as Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh are signed through 2029 and 2030, respectively. Their pitching staff features young arms like Bryan Woo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Logan Gilbert, all under team control through the late 2020s.

Closer Andrés Muñoz, a two-time All-Star, remains an important bullpen piece with club options extending into 2026 and beyond. Core position players like J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena are also central to future plans.

While some contributors acquired mid-season in 2025, such as Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez, will enter free agency, the Mariners are positioned to maintain competitiveness.

Manager Dan Wilson and the organization express confidence in the team’s ability to return to the playoffs and contend for their first World Series title. Lessons from the 2025 playoff heartbreak could serve as valuable motivation for Seattle’s quest to end almost five decades of postseason frustration.

Conclusion

The pursuit of a World Series title remains out of reach for the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays—five franchises that highlight the competitive nature and parity of Major League Baseball.

Of these, the Seattle Mariners’ prolonged struggle to break through stands apart, marked by notable near-misses and a passionate fan base still awaiting its crowning baseball moment. The 2025 ALCS loss was a bitter chapter but also a glimpse at a promising future fueled by young stars and organizational strength.

As the Mariners and their fellow title-less rivals continue their quests, one thing remains certain: the magic and heartbreak of baseball ensure the chase for the Commissioner's Trophy will captivate fans for seasons to come.