Wanted to give a congratulations to Milwaukee and Tampa for getting into the playoffs. As a baseball fan, I like seeing new teams get into the playoffs. I love when the Yankees or the Mets have to sit at home and watch some teams that maybe the average fan doesn't know a whole lot about. It may hurt the TV ratings, but to me, there is nothing better than seeing some new teams get a shot in the playoffs.
With that thought in mind, I was thinking about how it has been 11 years now since the Orioles got to play in October. (Yes, I've been counting.) It seems like ages ago that the Orioles were battling Cleveland for the AL Pennant in one of the best LCS' I can ever remember (although it didn't end how it was supposed to. Damn you Tony Fernandez!!!)
As long as that wait seemed, the Brewers hadn't been to the playoffs since 1982 before clinching the Wild Card yesterday.
Well, it got me to thinking. Who has had to wait longer than the Orioles to get back to the playoffs?
24 of the other 29 teams in the Majors have been to the playoffs since the Orioles got there in '97. Who are the incredibly unfortunate 5 franchises?
1995- Cincinnati Reds. Lost to Atlanta, 4-0, in NLCS.
The Reds haven't been since 1995, a two year longer stint than the Orioles. They certainly have some young talent on their team now though, with guys like Jay Bruce and Joey Votto keying the offense, with young pitchers like Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto on the mound, Reds fans hope the streak doesn't last much longer.
1993- Toronto Blue Jays. Beat Philadelphia, 4-2, in World Series.
Joe Carter. Yeah, it's been 15 years since the Jays have made the playoffs, but at least the fans of Toronto have one of the greatest images in World Series history to remember as their most recent.
1992- Pittsburgh Pirates. Lost to Atlanta, 4-3, in NLCS.
Sid Bream. Fernando Cabrera. Bream sliding in ahead of the throw from left fielder Barrry Bonds. Who would have thought that not only would that be Bonds' last game in a Pittsburgh uniform, but that the Pirates wouldn't play in another play-off game since then? Certainly the worst of the "Last Playoff Images" category.
1985- Kansas City Royals. Beat St. Louis, 4-3, in World Series.
Again, it's been 23 years since the Royals have been to the playoffs, but hey, at least the last memory of the playoffs for them is a World Series title. This World Series is most famously remembered for Don Denkinger's blown call in Game 6, but I think Royals fans remember it as "What the Playoffs Feel Like."
1981- Montreal Expos (Washington Nationals) Lost to Los Angeles, 3-2, in NLCS
This doesn't really count for me, because the Nats just moved to DC, but I figured I'd list it. Can't say I feel too bad for Nationals fans, because, you know, they got a brand new stadium this year and still couldn't sell any tickets.
So, the Pirates have definitely had to live with the most bitter taste in their mouth. The Orioles are right up there, as Tony Fernandez' home run (while not a walk-off, it might as well have been) is the lasting playoff memory for most O's fans. Toronto and Kansas City haven't been there in a while, but at least both have World Series titles to remember.
Anyways, congratulations to Tampa and Milwaukee for getting to the playoffs. Let's hope the Orioles next appearance comes sooner rather than later.
