50 best MLB teams that didn’t win the World Series
43. . 103-51. Lost in the World Series. 1942 New York Yankees. 26. player
If you look up the word “dynasty” in the dictionary, you’re likely to see team photos of the New York Yankees from 1936 to 1943 – a period of eight years in which the Yankees won the World Series six times. The 1942 New York Yankees, who posted a record of 103-51 and won the American League pennant by nine games, was one of the only teams during that period that came up short of baseball’s ultimate goal.
In his final season until 1946 because of military service, Hall of Fame outfielder Joe DiMaggio posted a solid .305/.376/.498 slash with 21 home runs and 114 RBI in 154 games. Although, Charlie Keller (.292/.417/.513, 26 HR, 108 RBI) and Joe Gordon (.322/.409/.491, 18 HR, 103 RBI, were just as valuable. In fact, it was Gordon that was voted AL MVP by a narrow margin over Boston’s Ted Williams.
In an unusual change of events for the Bronx Bombers, the Yankees were led on the mound by Tiny Bonham (21-5, 2.27), Spud Chandler (16-5, 2.38), Red Ruffing (14-7, 3.21) and Hank Borowy (15-4, 2.52). Overall, the New York pitching staff posted a league-leading 2.91 team ERA.
The Yankees won Game 1 of the 1942 World Series 7-4 over the St. Louis Cardinals, and appeared primed to capture their fifth consecutive World Championship. However, it was the Cardinals that dominated the next four games, including a 4-2 victory in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium to end New York’s dominance in the sport – but only momentarily.
Next: 1982 Milwaukee Brewers