A look at some of the Greatest Yankees who avoided winning a World Series in pinstripes.
Don Mattingly: Played with the Bombers from 1982-1995 “Donnie Baseball” is considered by many to be the most beloved Yankee in team history (Take that Bernie). This 9-time Gold Glove Winner and 6-time All-Star never once soaked in the champagne glory of a World Series victory. In fact the Captain’s only playoff appearance came in his final season when the Wildcard Yanks lost to the Seattle Mariners in five games. This title-less drought is the longest in Yankee history since the start of the Babe Ruth era. Of course the ticker-tape parades returned in ’96, which not many historians refer to now as the Mariano Duncan era.
Mike Mussina: The first pitcher to call it quits following a 20 win season since Sandy Koufax in 1966. The Moose finished just 30 wins shy of 300 victories along with six Top 5 finishes in Cy Young Voting through out his career never reaching the elusive hardware. In September 2001 Mussina retired the first 26 Red Sox batters ultimately giving up a single to Carl Everett and falling short in yet another near career milestone. In 2001 and 2003 respectively it was the Yankees that came close but failed in the Moose’s two Fall Classic appearances. Of course sadly for Mussina’s case close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades and not world series games.
Tippy Martinez: Left handed relief pitcher who is 100th on the All-times saves leaders list played for the Bombers from 1974-76. This one time All-star does have one World Series Championship on his resume, however it was won with Al Bumbry and the Baltimore Orioles in 1983.
