A 3-1 Lead Could End One MLB Team’s Wait: Which Teams Have Never Won a World Series?
Milwaukee’s near miss
The Brewers began as the Seattle Pilots in 1969, moved to Milwaukee after one season and adopted their current name for 1970. They shifted through several American League divisions before joining the National League Central in 1998.
Milwaukee’s only World Series appearance came in 1982. The team, known as “Harvey’s Wallbangers,” rallied past the California Angels in the ALCS, then lost the championship to St. Louis, 6-3, in Game 7.
Tampa Bay reaches another final
Tampa Bay received a franchise in 1995, and the Devil Rays began play in 1998. The club’s 2008 postseason ended with a four-game loss to the eventual champion Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.
The Rays reached the World Series for the third time in 2026 after winning the AL East with a 98-64 record, sweeping the Yankees and beating Cleveland in six ALCS games. Freddy Peralta was named ALCS MVP. Tampa Bay leads the 2026 series account with a 3-1 deficit after winning Game 4, as reported in the article’s opening; that conflicts with the statement that Milwaukee leads 3-1 after the same game.
Colorado’s 2007 breakthrough
The Colorado Rockies began play in 1993 after Denver was awarded a franchise in 1991. They made the postseason as a National League wild card in 1995, 2007 and 2009.
Their closest approach came in 2007. Colorado won 14 of its last 15 regular-season games, then claimed a wild-card spot with a 13-inning, 9-8 win over San Diego. The Rockies swept Philadelphia and beat Arizona to earn their only National League pennant.
San Diego’s two appearances
The Padres reached the World Series in 1984 and 1998, with Tony Gwynn leading both teams. The account also says the franchise won five NL West titles, in 1984, 1996, 1998, 2005 and 2006.
The article says there are five franchises without a championship but provides histories for only four: Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, Colorado and San Diego. It does not identify the fifth team, so the full list cannot be established from the information provided.
Key points
- The 2026 World Series pairs Milwaukee and Tampa Bay, both still seeking a first championship.
- The Brewers have reached the World Series once, losing to St. Louis in 1982.
- The Rockies’ only National League pennant came in 2007.
- The account names four winless franchises, despite saying there are five.