50 best MLB teams that didn’t win the World Series
Lost in the World Series. 1929 Chicago Cubs. 27. player. 9. . 98-54
It had been 11 long years since the franchise had won the National League pennant and 21 even longer years since winning a World Series, but the 1929 Chicago Cubs looked like a team that could end such a misfortunate drought. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
With a 98-54 record, the Cubs won the National League by an impressive 10.5 games over second place Pittsburgh and fielded a potent lineup that included future Hall of Famers Rogers Hornsby – who posted a .380/.459/.679 slash with 229 hits, 39 home runs, 149 RBI, and 156 runs scored to earn MVP honors- Hack Wilson – who was equally as productive with a .345/.425/.618 slash with 39 homers, 154 RBI and scored 135 runs – and Kiki Cuyler (.360/.438/.532, 15 HR, 102 RBI, 111 R, 102 RBI). Remarkably, the Cubs also got 131 runs from Woody English and 110 RBI from Riggs Stephenson.
However, the Philadelphia Athletics – who won 104 games and strolled to an 18-game victory in the AL standings – were also an explosive offensive ball club, and the Cubs pitching staff failed to adequately keep the A’s off the scoreboard in the World Series. Philadelphia took the first two games of the Series 3-1 and 9-3, respectively, at Wrigley Field before the Cubs struck for a 3-1 victory in Game 3 at Shibe Park. However, the Athletics exploded for a 10-8 win in Game 5 and held on for a 3-2 final score to capture the World Championship.
Next: 1942 New York Yankees