30 guys we want to see win it all
The veterans, or other inspiring players, who have yet to win a title
One of the best subplots of the Astros' World Series championship last season was Carlos Beltran finally getting a championship ring. While Beltran wasn't a key factor for Houston, seeing the future Hall of Famer, one of the best playoff hitters of all time, win a championship in his seventh postseason was one of the more heartwarming stories in a rather heartwarming October.
Everybody loves to see a vet finally get his title. This got us to thinking: What other old-timers would we love to see win a title who haven't won one yet? Thus, this week at The Thirty, we take a look at the Carlos Beltran on each time: The veteran, or just inspiring story, who you'd most like to see win that elusive championship. Obviously, there's not much hope for some of these guys; the Orioles have already been eliminated, after all. But you never know. These are the players who never got a title … but someday should.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays
Russell Martin
The longtime catcher has been around so long he was drafted by the Expos. Martin has reached the postseason a whopping nine times, but he has never reached the World Series.
Orioles
Adam Jones
We know Jones wants to stay in Baltimore, and he has earned that right … but it sure would be nice to see him in the Fall Classic someday.
Rays
Carlos Gomez
Gomez has played for four teams in the postseason, none of them the Rays.
Red Sox
Chris Sale
Sale's going to have a Hall of Fame case to make someday, and having a World Series title would be a handy little feather in his cap.
Yankees
Giancarlo Stanton
After all those years in Miami, a World Series feels like Stanton's due. His next postseason game will be his first.
AL CENTRAL
Indians
Rajai Davis
We'd like to see Davis get a chance to hit another Game 7 homer.
Royals
Blaine Boyer
Boyer has pitched for 12 seasons and for nine teams -- including Boston, St. Louis and Atlanta -- and he has still never appeared in a postseason game.
Tigers
Victor Martinez
Remember: Jose Cabrera won a title in 2003 with the Marlins.
Twins
Joe Mauer
A World Series is the one thing Mauer hasn't given the Twins.
White Sox
James Shields
Big Game James was much better in his 2008 World Series appearance for the Rays than he was in his 2014 World Series appearances for the Royals.
AL WEST
Angels
Michael Trout
Still waiting for that first postseason win. It looks like Trout will still be waiting this October.
Astros
Gerrit Cole
Well, everyone else has one.
Athletics
Fernando Rodney
It has been 12 years since Rodney was last in the World Series … but it sure would be fun to see a World Series game end with the bow and arrow.
Mariners
Nelson Cruz
Just remember not to put Cruz in right field during a clinching game.
Rangers
Adrian Beltre
The easiest pick on the board. We should call every beloved veteran trying to win a ring before he reaches the Hall of Fame "The Beltre."
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Video: ATL@NYM: Markakis nets 4 hits, hits key homer in 10th
Braves
Nick Markakis
Markakis has only made the postseason once (2014) in his whole career.
Marlins
Starlin Castro
Castro left the Cubs right before they won one.
Mets
Jose Bautista
Imagine that bat flip in the World Series.
Nationals
Max Scherzer
Like Sale, Scherzer could use the Hall of Fame credentials of a championship.
Phillies
Carlos Santana
So close in 2016. All players on the '11 Rangers and '16 Indians get serious consideration for this list.
NL CENTRAL
Brewers
Ryan Braun
The 2011 season was probably supposed to be the one for Braun and the Brewers.
Cardinals
Michael Wacha
Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright and Matt Carpenter (who was a rookie in 2011) all have rings already.
Cubs
Jesse Chavez
This 11-year vet has pitched for nine teams, but never in the postseason. Also almost everybody else on the team has a ring already.
Pirates
Ivan Nova
Nova's rookie year was right after the Yankees won their most recent title.
Reds
Joey Votto
Is Votto going to be Beltre in four years?
AL WEST
D-backs
Brad Ziegler
The good news is that Ziegler might pitch until he's 60, giving him plenty of chances.
Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw's career is going to feel incomplete without one.
Giants
Andrew McCutchen
Cutch could become quite the mercenary the next few years trying to find the best place to get his ring.
Padres
A.J. Ellis
Any championship team needs the Veteran Backup Catcher.
Rockies
Nolan Arenado
The best way to get the respect often denied Rockies players is to win them a championship.