Which MLB teams have gone the longest since making the playoffs?
Angels’ Mike Trout and the Tigers haven’t played postseason baseball for eight years, while the Phillies just erased their eleven-year-long drought
A few days ago, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Seattle Mariners were the holders of the longest playoff drought in baseball. On Monday night, and in the span of four days, the Phillies erased that drought, clinching a wild-card spot with their first postseason trip in 11 years. The Mariners, who had the longest postseason drought of all four major men’s sports, also just clinched a wild-card spot over the weekend, thanks to Cal Raleigh’s amusing walk-off home run.
Now, that distinction belongs to someone else: the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers.
Los Angeles Angels: 2014 (8 years)
The Angels, who have not clinched an MLB postseason berth since 2014, have been eliminated from playoff contention for a long time now, with a 73-87 record. Additionally, they have not fielded an above .500 record since 2015. Mike Trout, who is arguably the generation’s best player, has played in only three postseason games, all losses.
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Detroit Tigers: 2014 (8 years)
The Tigers are in the same boat as the Angels. They also haven’t made the playoffs for eight years, and have had one season above .500 since 2014.
The Pittsburgh Tigers and Kansas City Royals are the next teams with 7-year playoff droughts, while the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers follow closely with six years of no postseason.