50 best MLB teams that didn’t win the World Series
61. . 97-57. Lost in the World Series. 1939 Cincinnati Reds. 43. player
The 1939 Cincinnati Reds were the class of the National League, winning 97 games and the NL pennant with a 4.5-game margin in the standings over the St. Louis Cardinals. However, like many teams on our list, the Reds proved to be a mere footnote in history by falling victim to the New York Yankees in the World Series. In 1939, the Reds lost in a sweep.
But just because they came up short doesn’t mean the Reds weren’t a terrific team. The pitching staff featured a pair of 25-game winners in Bucky Walters (27-11, 2.29) and Paul Derringer (25-7, 2.93), in addition to a youngster named Johnny Vander Meer (5-9, 4.67), who tossed back-to-back no-hitters one year earlier. Overall, the Reds pitchers posted the best ERA in the National League (3.27), allowed the fewest hits (1,340), struck out the most batters (670) and completed a workman-like 86 games, which also led the league.
The lineup was potent as well, led by Hall of Fame catcher Ernie Lombardi. Lombardi hit .287/.342/.487 with 20 home runs and 85 RBI, and struck out just 19 times all season in 494 plate appearances. First baseman Frank McCormick hit .332/.374/.495 and led the NL with 209 hits and 128 RBI and also collected 18 home runs and 41 doubles. Interestingly enough, Lombardi had been named NL MVP in 1938 and McCormick won the award in 1940, but both – like the Reds as a whole – came up short in 1939.
Next: 1987 Toronto Blue Jays