Best MLB teams that didn't win the World Series in the modern era

The 1906 Cubs finished with a 116-36 record (.763) but fell in the World Series to the cross-town rival White Sox. The team was led by first baseman and manager Frank Chance.

The Pirates claimed the National League championship in 1902 after finishing 103-36 (.741) during the regular season, but the World Series wasn't played due to an AL-NL war over player contracts. The Pirates, led by Hall of Famer Honus Wagner, finished 27.5 games ahead of the second-place Brooklyn Superbas. 

The Indians lost in the World Series to the New York Giants after finishing the regular season 111-43 (.721). Cleveland was led by third baseman Al Rosen and a star-studded rotation that included Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Early Wynn and Bob Lemon.

The Mariners tied the modern wins record with 116 in Ichiro Suzuki's rookie season. They also got huge offensive performances from Edgar Martinez and Bret Boone, resulting in the team scoring 927 runs. However, Seattle fell to the Yankees 4-1 in the ALCS.

The impressive Athletics finished 107-45 (.704) in the regular season but lost to the Cardinals in seven games during the World Series. Manager Connie Mack's team included Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, Mickey Cochrane and 31-game winner Lefty Grove.

The '95 Indians had a high-powered offense that included Manny Ramirez, Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton and Eddie Murray. After going 100-44 (.694) following the 1994-95 strike, Cleveland lost 4-2 to Atlanta in the World Series.

The 1904 Giants were National League champions but declined to play Boston in the World Series. The Giants had two 30-plus game winners: Joe McGinnity and Christy Mathewson.

The 1912 Giants went 103-48 (.682) but fell to an even better team in the Red Sox during the World Series. The Giants' key players included Chief Meyers, Fred Merkle, Larry Doyle and Christy Mathewson.

The Cardinals went 105-49 (.682) but fell in the World Series to the Yankees. They finished with the exact same record in the regular season in 1944 and won the World Series that time, led by Stan Musial.

Brooklyn went 105-49 (.682) in 1953 but lost to the Yankees in the World Series. The Dodgers had a pair of 40-home run hitters in Roy Campanella and Duke Snider and had huge years from Gil Hodges and Jackie Robinson.

The Cubs were great in 1909 at 104-49 (.680) but finished second to the 110-win Pirates. Chicago's team ERA in 1909 was 1.75.

The Cubs tried to make up for finishing in second place in 1909 and were able to win the National League by going 104-50 (.675). However, they lost to the Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series.

The Dodgers finished the regular season 104-50 (.675) but ended up second in the NL to the 106-win Cardinals. Dolph Camilli led the offense with 26 home runs.

Boston lost the World Series in seven games to the Cardinals after going 104-50 (.675) during the regular season. Ted Williams won the MVP for the Red Sox after hitting .342-38-123.

Earl Weaver's Orioles finished 109-53 (.673) but lost to the Mets in the World Series. Boog Powell (.304-37-121) and Frank Robinson (.308-32-100) led the offense, while Mike Cuellar won 23 games with a 2.38 ERA.

The Yankees went 103-51 (.669) but lost to the Cardinals in the World Series. The team's biggest offensive performances came from Charlie Keller, Joe Gordon and Joe DiMaggio.

The '54 Yankees failed to win the AL, finishing second at 103-51 (.669) behind the 111-win Indians. The Yankees got huge offensive seasons from Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford and Bob Grim led the pitching staff.

The Giants lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Athletics after going 101-51 (.664) during the regular season. Christy Mathewson was the team's ace, going 25-11 with a 2.06 ERA.

The Tigers lost in seven games to the Cardinals in the World Series after going 101-53 (.656) during the season. Hank Greenberg finished sixth in the MVP voting after hitting .339-26-139, while teammate Charlie Gehringer finished second after hitting .356-11-127.

Atlanta went 106-56 (.654) but was upset by the Padres in the NLCS. The team had four players with 30-plus home runs (Andres Galarraga, Javy Lopez, Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones), while the trio of aces in Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz each finished with sub-3.00 ERAs.

The Tigers went 100-54 (.649) in 1915 and finished one game behind the Red Sox in the AL. Ty Cobb hit .369, winning his ninth straight batting title.

Chicago went 100-54 (.649) but lost the World Series to Detroit. The strong offense was led by Chuck Klein's 21 home runs.

The Dodgers lost to the Yankees in the World Series after going 100-54 (.649) during the regular season. They had 104 wins the following season but fell again in the World Series.

The Cardinals ran into destiny in the World Series, getting swept by the Red Sox in the World Series after Boston came back from 3-0 against the Yankees in the ALCS. St. Louis went 105-57 (.648), as Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen each produced an OPS above 1.000.

New York was swept by the Dodgers in the World Series after going 104-57 (.642) in the regular season. The team had two 20-plus game winners in Whitey Ford and Jim Bouton.