The Toronto Blue Jays fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a Game 7 showdown, extending their World Series drought to 32 years. The Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto closed the door on Toronto in Game 6 following a 11th-inning home run by Will Smith. The Blue Jays, however, had taken a 4-2 lead but faltered in the late innings, with their bullpen failing them. Despite near-closing the gap to end their long drought, the Blue Jays’ inability to push past the Dodgers highlighted the depth of their struggles. This loss brings the Blue Jays’ last World Series victory back to 1993, a time marked by the iconic walk-off home run by Joe Carter in a memorable game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Blue Jays, despite their recent surge in performance, failed to secure the championship and continue the longest drought in their franchise’s history. The team had been a powerhouse in the American League, finishing with a strong record and making it to the World Series, yet their collapse in the final stages showed the challenges that come with high expectations. The final moments of the game were particularly emotional, as the Blue Jays players and coaches were seen reacting to the loss, with tears streaming down faces of key players during the post-game coverage.
The loss also brought attention to the plight of other teams with long World Series droughts, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Seattle Mariners. The Pirates, who last won in 1979, have not been able to advance past the National League Championship Series since 1992. The Mariners, on the other hand, have never made it to the World Series despite multiple strong finishes, including their recent attempt in 2023, where they fell to the Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series. These teams, like the Blue Jays, highlight the challenges of maintaining consistent success in the highly competitive world of Major League Baseball.
The San Diego Padres, who have made it to the World Series twice but never won, represent another team in the long drought category. Their 1984 and 1998 appearances saw them fall to the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees, respectively. These teams, alongside the Blue Jays, showcase the perseverance required to break long title droughts, even in a sport where the difference between a win and a loss can be razor-thin. The emotional and financial stakes for these teams are high, with millions of dollars at risk if they fail to secure a championship.
The Milwaukee Brewers, who have only made the World Series once since their debut in Seattle as the Pilots, have shown promise in recent years. Their performance since 2018 has been impressive, yet they continue to fall short of the championship stage. Cleveland’s Guardians, one of the oldest franchises in MLB, have not managed to secure a World Series title since 1948, despite a history filled with moments of near-success. These teams exemplify the long and often frustrating journey to a World Series title, a feat that many will take years to accomplish.