DETROIT -- The Seattle Mariners broke the longest playoff drought in baseball when they clinched a postseason berth last Friday.
They last made the postseason after their incredible 2001 season.
That left the Philadelphia Phillies, who last made the postseason in 2011, as the new owners of the dubious distinction.
But the Phillies clinched a playoff spot last night.
Who’s left?
The Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels, who last made the playoffs in 2014, now have the longest playoff drought in baseball.
The two clubs met similar fates. The Angels, with a young Mike Trout and not-yet-old Albert Pujols, won 98 games and the American League West title. But they lost in the first round to the Kansas City Royals, 3-0.
The Tigers needed only a 90-72 to win the AL Central that year, fueled by a dominant pitching rotation and a near-MVP season by Victor Martinez. But they also were swept in the first round. The Orioles won all three games of the Division Series.
Doesn’t it seem like the Tigers and Angels should have some company?
It’s probably because you’ve forgotten the shortened 2020 season. (Don’t worry, you’re not alone).
The Marlins inexplicably made the playoffs in 2020, breaking a drought that dated back to their World Series championship in 2003. So they could be said to have the longest “full-season” postseason drought in baseball.
In the whole scheme of things, eight years without the playoffs is not that much, even in the Wild Card era that brought expanded playoffs beginning in 1994.
In fact, the 2006 Tigers team that won the American League pennant was breaking an 18-year playoff drought.
But the Tigers’ current malaise might feel longer because it’s been so long since the club competed for the playoffs.
The Tigers were eliminated from playoff contention on the last day of the 2016 season. Since then, they’ve never really been close.
The Angels, on the other hand, were in the Wild Card chase in 2017 until collapsing in September. That was really their last serious late-season playoff push.
So which team has gone the longest without even making things interesting? The Tigers own that one all alone.
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