The Cubs' historic World Series victory should serve as a reminder to every Major League Baseball team and their fans: the seemingly impossible can happen.

In the last 15 years, Major League Baseball has seen something remarkable happen: teams that hadn't won the Fall Classic in ages finally did so. Look at this list of championship teams that erased years of futility:

  • 2002 Angels -- first title since 1961 (the team's first year of existence).
  • 2004 Red Sox -- first title since 1918
  • 2005 White Sox -- first title since 1917
  • 2006 Cardinals -- first title since 1982
  • 2008 Phillies -- first title since 1980
  • 2010 Giants -- first title since 1954
  • 2015 Royals -- first title since 1985
  • 2016 Cubs -- first title since 1908

This should give teams that are starving for a World Series hope. And there is no shortage of teams that are starving. There are 18 franchises that have been waiting at least two decades to call themselves "World Series champions."

  • Indians -- 68 seasons
  • Rangers (franchise began 1961 as Washington Senators) -- 56 seasons (never won)
  • Astros (franchise began 1962 as Houston Colt .45s) -- 55 seasons (never won)
  • Brewers (franchise began 1969 as the Seattle Pilots) -- 48 seasons
  • Padres (franchise began 1969) 1998 -- 48 seasons (never won)
  • Nationals (franchise began 1969 as Montreal Expos) -- 48 seasons (never won)
  • Mariners (franchise began 1977) -- 40 seasons (never won)
  • Pirates -- 37 seasons
  • Orioles -- 33 seasons
  • Tigers -- 32 seasons
  • Mets -- 30 seasons
  • Dodgers -- 28 seasons
  • A's -- 27 seasons
  • Reds -- 26 seasons
  • Twins -- 25 seasons

As for which team is in the best position to win first, the obvious choice is the Indians. They have young talent, are coming off a World Series appearance and have Terry Francona, who managed the Red Sox when they ended their drought, as their manager. The pieces appear to be in place.

But what about the other teams? The Nationals have good pitching and Bryce Harper. The Astros have a solid core in Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. The Rangers are coming off back-to-back first place finishes in the AL West. The Orioles continue to surge under Buck Showalter. The Pirates have had some playoff runs in recent years.

So, keep your chins up. It may look bleak right now, but the Cubs have proven that droughts will end (although some will not). Whether it's 2017 or 2057 is a whole other story.

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