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Ringless
Ted Williams, Charles Barkley, Dan Marino and Joe Thornton never won it all; Ray Bourque, Jerome Bettis and Carlos Beltrán won in their final seasons. The best careers without a championship in four sports, and the veterans who finally got one.
By Austin · October 17, 2026
Most players never win a championship, and some of the greatest are among them. We went through every finished career in baseball, basketball, football and hockey for the best who never won, the longest careers without a title, and the veterans who finally got one at the very end.
| Sport | Finished careers | Played for a champion | Greats without a title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | 17,173 | 17% | 70 of 210 Hall of Famers |
| Basketball | 4,469 | 15% | 14 of 66 75th Anniversary Team members |
| Football | 18,338 | 11% | 73 of 149 Hall of Famers |
| Hockey | 6,134 | 15% | 35 of 101 Hall of Famers |
Baseball
Carl Yastrzemski played 23 seasons for the Red Sox and lost both World Series he reached. Ted Williams got to one, in 1946, and Tony Gwynn to two, losing both. Ernie Banks never played in a postseason game in 19 seasons, and Ken Griffey Jr. never reached a World Series. At the other end, Carlos Beltrán won in his 20th and final season, with the 2017 Astros, and Jim Kaat waited until his 24th, with the 1982 Cardinals.
The best never to win a World Series
| Player | Career | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Yastrzemski | 1961 to 1983 | 23 |
| Ted Williams | 1939 to 1960 | 19 |
| Rod Carew | 1967 to 1985 | 19 |
| Tony Gwynn | 1982 to 2001 | 20 |
| Nellie Fox | 1947 to 1965 | 19 |
| Ernie Banks | 1953 to 1971 | 19 |
| Ken Griffey | 1989 to 2010 | 22 |
| Ichiro Suzuki | 2001 to 2019 | 19 |
The longest careers without one
| Player | Career | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Tommy John | 1963 to 1989 | 26 |
| Charlie Hough | 1970 to 1994 | 25 |
| Carlton Fisk | 1969 to 1993 | 24 |
| Omar Vizquel | 1989 to 2012 | 24 |
| Ty Cobb | 1905 to 1928 | 24 |
First title in the final season
Players with 15 or more seasons whose only title came in their last.
| Player | Won | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos BeltranHouston Astros | 2017 | 20 |
| Royce ClaytonBoston Red Sox | 2007 | 17 |
| Sherry MageeCincinnati Reds | 1919 | 16 |
| Fernando RodneyWashington Nationals | 2019 | 17 |
| Earl TorgesonNew York Yankees | 1961 | 15 |
| Arthur RhodesSt. Louis Cardinals | 2011 | 20 |
The longest wait
| Player | First title | In season |
|---|---|---|
| Jim KaatSt. Louis Cardinals | 1982 | 24 of 25 |
| Jamie MoyerPhiladelphia Phillies | 2008 | 22 of 25 |
| Joe NiekroMinnesota Twins | 1987 | 21 of 22 |
| Mike MorganArizona Diamondbacks | 2001 | 21 of 22 |
| Carlos BeltranHouston Astros | 2017 | 20 of 20 |
Basketball
John Stockton played all 19 of his seasons in Utah and Karl Malone 18 of his 19, and they reached two NBA Finals, both against Michael Jordan's Bulls. Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Steve Nash, Reggie Miller and Carmelo Anthony never won either. Kevin Willis won his first title in his 18th season, with the 2002-03 Spurs, and Mitch Richmond won his in his last, as a reserve on the 2001-02 Lakers.
The best never to win an NBA title
| Player | Career | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Carmelo Anthony | 2003-04 to 2021-22 | 19 |
| Karl Malone | 1985-86 to 2003-04 | 19 |
| John Stockton | 1984-85 to 2002-03 | 19 |
| Patrick Ewing | 1985-86 to 2001-02 | 17 |
| Charles Barkley | 1984-85 to 1999-00 | 16 |
| Dominique Wilkins | 1982-83 to 1998-99 | 15 |
| Lenny Wilkens | 1960-61 to 1974-75 | 15 |
| George Gervin | 1976-77 to 1985-86 | 10 |
The longest careers without one
| Player | Career | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Vince Carter | 1998-99 to 2019-20 | 22 |
| Jamal Crawford | 2000-01 to 2019-20 | 20 |
| Carmelo Anthony | 2003-04 to 2021-22 | 19 |
| Karl Malone | 1985-86 to 2003-04 | 19 |
| John Stockton | 1984-85 to 2002-03 | 19 |
First title in the final season
Players with 13 or more seasons whose only title came in their last.
| Player | Won | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Mitch RichmondLos Angeles Lakers | 2001-02 | 14 |
| Carl BraunBoston Celtics | 1961-62 | 13 |
| Dick SnyderSeattle SuperSonics | 1978-79 | 13 |
| Peja StojakovicDallas Mavericks | 2010-11 | 13 |
| Danny FerrySan Antonio Spurs | 2002-03 | 13 |
| Matt BarnesGolden State Warriors | 2016-17 | 14 |
The longest wait
| Player | First title | In season |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin WillisSan Antonio Spurs | 2002-03 | 18 of 21 |
| Juwan HowardMiami Heat | 2011-12 | 18 of 19 |
| Jason KiddDallas Mavericks | 2010-11 | 17 of 19 |
| Dwight HowardLos Angeles Lakers | 2019-20 | 16 of 18 |
| Gary PaytonMiami Heat | 2005-06 | 16 of 17 |
Football
Dan Marino reached one Super Bowl, in his second season, and never went back in 15 more. Larry Fitzgerald and Bruce Matthews, in 17 and 19 seasons, each lost the only one they reached. Jerome Bettis's last game was Super Bowl XL, played in his hometown of Detroit, and Michael Strahan and Andrew Whitworth also retired as champions.
The best never to win a Super Bowl
| Player | Career | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Larry Fitzgerald | 2004 to 2020 | 17 |
| Bruce Matthews | 1983 to 2001 | 19 |
| Tony Gonzalez | 1997 to 2013 | 17 |
| Randall McDaniel | 1988 to 2001 | 14 |
| Champ Bailey | 1999 to 2013 | 15 |
| Anthony Munoz | 1980 to 1993 | 14 |
| Willie Roaf | 1993 to 2005 | 13 |
| Dan Marino | 1983 to 1999 | 17 |
The longest careers without one
| Player | Career | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Morten Andersen | 1982 to 2007 | 25 |
| Gary Anderson | 1982 to 2004 | 23 |
| John Carney | 1988 to 2008 | 21 |
| Jason Hanson | 1992 to 2012 | 21 |
| Vinny Testaverde | 1987 to 2007 | 21 |
First title in the final season
Players with 12 or more seasons whose only title came in their last.
| Player | Won | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Gary ZimmermanDenver Broncos | 1997 | 12 |
| Jerome BettisPittsburgh Steelers | 2005 | 13 |
| Michael StrahanNew York Giants | 2007 | 15 |
| Eric WeddleLos Angeles Rams | 2021 | 14 |
| Andrew WhitworthLos Angeles Rams | 2021 | 16 |
| Lomas BrownTampa Bay Buccaneers | 2002 | 18 |
The longest wait
| Player | First title | In season |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff FeaglesNew York Giants | 2007 | 20 of 22 |
| Lomas BrownTampa Bay Buccaneers | 2002 | 18 of 18 |
| Mark BrunellNew Orleans Saints | 2009 | 17 of 19 |
| Andrew WhitworthLos Angeles Rams | 2021 | 16 of 16 |
| Ray DonaldsonDallas Cowboys | 1995 | 16 of 17 |
Hockey
Joe Thornton played 24 seasons, Jarome Iginla 21 and Marcel Dionne 18, and none of them won the Stanley Cup. Ray Bourque finally won his in his 22nd season, with the 2000-01 Avalanche, and retired; Joe Sakic, the captain, handed him the Cup first. Lanny McDonald scored in the deciding game of the 1989 Final for Calgary in his last season, and Dave Andreychuk won his first Cup in his 22nd season, with the 2003-04 Lightning.
The best never to win a Stanley Cup
| Player | Career | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Jarome Iginla | 1995-96 to 2016-17 | 21 |
| Joe Thornton | 1997-98 to 2021-22 | 24 |
| Marcel Dionne | 1971-72 to 1988-89 | 18 |
| Phil Housley | 1982-83 to 2002-03 | 21 |
| Shea Weber | 2005-06 to 2020-21 | 16 |
| Brad Park | 1968-69 to 1984-85 | 17 |
| Jeremy Roenick | 1988-89 to 2008-09 | 20 |
| Borje Salming | 1973-74 to 1989-90 | 17 |
The longest careers without one
| Player | Career | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Thornton | 1997-98 to 2021-22 | 24 |
| Patrick Marleau | 1997-98 to 2020-21 | 23 |
| Jarome Iginla | 1995-96 to 2016-17 | 21 |
| Phil Housley | 1982-83 to 2002-03 | 21 |
| Scott Mellanby | 1985-86 to 2006-07 | 21 |
First title in the final season
Players with 15 or more seasons whose only title came in their last.
| Player | Won | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Ray BourqueColorado Avalanche | 2000-01 | 22 |
| Lanny McDonaldCalgary Flames | 1988-89 | 16 |
| Steve DuchesneDetroit Red Wings | 2001-02 | 16 |
| Ethan MoreauLos Angeles Kings | 2011-12 | 16 |
| Dallas DrakeDetroit Red Wings | 2007-08 | 15 |
| Troy MurrayColorado Avalanche | 1995-96 | 15 |
The longest wait
| Player | First title | In season |
|---|---|---|
| Ray BourqueColorado Avalanche | 2000-01 | 22 of 22 |
| Dave AndreychukTampa Bay Lightning | 2003-04 | 22 of 23 |
| Glen WesleyCarolina Hurricanes | 2005-06 | 18 of 20 |
| Rod Brind'AmourCarolina Hurricanes | 2005-06 | 17 of 21 |
| Pat VerbeekDallas Stars | 1998-99 | 17 of 20 |
Use it in Teammate Chain
A ring chaser’s last stop puts a veteran on a champion beside players a generation younger, a link you won’t find anywhere else in his career. In Teammate Chain, Ray Bourque’s one season with the 2000-01 Avalanche connects the Bruins of the 1980s to Colorado’s champions. For the teams that had the most stars and still didn’t win, see the most stacked rosters.
How we counted
A finished career is one with no games in the last two seasons of our data, entirely inside the years we know the champions for: baseball’s World Series since 1903, basketball’s titles since 1946-47, the Stanley Cup since 1967-68 and the Super Bowl since 1970 (where our rosters begin, so careers that started earlier are left out), through the 2025 World Series, the 2026 NBA Finals, the 2025 Stanley Cup and the 2024 season’s Super Bowl. A player is ringless only if he never appeared for a champion at all. In the lists of who won, a title counts only if he played at least 20 games that season and finished it with the champion, so Elgin Baylor, who retired nine games into the Lakers’ 1971-72 season, and players traded away before the playoffs don’t count. Hockey and football don’t record the order of a split season in our data, so a player who joined the champion midseason there is left out of those lists, and Ken Dryden, who played six regular-season games in 1970-71 before carrying Montreal to the Cup, is the famous case the games rule misses.
About the data
Rosters come from the data behind Teammate Chain; champions from Lahman’s baseball database, our NBA championship records, and the Stanley Cup and Super Bowl winners. Season games from Lahman, the NBA’s official totals and box scores, and the NHL’s season reports. Spot a mistake? Let us know.