MLB's 10 Most Pathetic Franchises

This list features pathetic MLB franchises that embarrass themselves en route to failure and rarely experience anything else.

Historically, they have underachieved. Poor draft picks, head-scratching player trades and ill-advised free-agent signings often lead them to finish below expectations. Suspect management and simple bad luck have hindered progress through the generations, too.

Diehards aside, there isn't anybody eager to identify with these 10 teams.

10. San Diego Padres

New ownership wants to change the non-competitive culture in San Diego.

This franchise boasts just one forgettable playoff victory since the days of Tony Gwynn. Deals in the interim involving Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy did nothing to expedite rebuilding.

After 44 years in Southern California, not a single Padres player has thrown a no-hitter or hit for the cycle.

At least the future seems bright. Third baseman Chase Headley has emerged as a superstar, and veterans Carlos Quentin and Huston Street are signed to affordable contract extensions.

But don't get your hopes up, or else this young, likable team will break your heart.

9. New York Mets

Two particular seasons will always haunt the New York Mets organization—1962 and 2007. During the former, they set an MLB record for most losses in a single summer (120), and in '07, they abruptly collapsed in late September and missed the postseason.

New York hasn't produced and retained many quality players since Jose Reyes and David Wright broke through to the big leagues. Unsuccessful development has forced them to meet needs with high-priced free agents, like Luis Castillo, Francisco Rodriguez and Jason Bay.

Majority owner Fred Wilpon woke up to a nightmare in 2008 when Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff confessed to authorities. Though Ken Belson and Richard Sandomir of The New York Times report that the Mets actually profited from their involvement in the scandal, Opening Day payroll this past season was at its lowest since 2002.

Sources tell ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin that it will be similarly slashed in 2013.

8. Houston Astros

Houston Astros history has given fans nothing to brag about.

The team has clinched only one National League pennant in the past half-century. And in that appearance, they were convincingly swept.

A recent overhaul of the major league roster assures that the Astros will endure a couple more painful summers. The hope is that this influx of promising prospects has laid the foundation for the future.

However, it might be impossible to achieve year-in, year-out consistency without the right managerial hire. Bo Porter has agreed to become their eighth skipper of the new millennium.

Houston's most popular player is pocket-sized Jose Altuve and 50-year-old Roger Clemens is its No. 1 target in free agency. Hopefully, this is rock bottom.

7. Boston Red Sox

For decades, the Boston Red Sox were more envious of the rival New York Yankees than they were motivated to win themselves. That's largely why it took them 11 post-Babe Ruth playoff appearances to finally end their championship drought.

Pressured by Beantown's intense fans and media, the organization ousted GM Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona following the 2011 season. Cleaning house of two individuals who were so qualified at their respective positions seemed puzzling at the time. One year later, the well-to-do franchise plummeted to the AL East cellar.

Decrepit Fenway Park has obvious historical value, but its outrageous that fans pay the league's highest ticket prices for a physically uncomfortable experience (via ESPNBoston.com).

6. Miami Marlins

Every decision the Miami Marlins make is head-scratching.

The 1998 post-championship fire sale? Vuvuzela night in 2010? The Ozzie Guillen acquisition?!

After splurging on the free-agent market like never before to construct the 2012 roster, the Fish experienced an abysmal season. They were the subject of The Franchise, a television series on Showtime. But nationwide disinterest in the team led to early cancellation of the behind-the-scenes program.

Overall, two decades in South Florida has yielded zero NL East titles.

5. Seattle Mariners

From Tino Martinez and Randy Johnson to Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Ichiro Suzuki, the Seattle Mariners have been unable to retain All-Stars.

The M's qualified for the playoffs four times between 1995 and 2001 (never winning a World Series, I might add), but failed to do so once in the seasons prior or since.

Recently, fans from the Pacific Northwest have had little to cheer about. The team has finished with a losing record at Safeco Field in five straight campaigns and averaged fewer than four runs per game each summer since 2009.

This past year, the Mariners competed with their young, reasonably talented assortment of players. Dustin Ackley, Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi—among others—failed to play up to their ability.

If all that weren't tough enough, Seattle is a long trek from every other MLB city. Geoff Baker, a Mariners beat writer for The Seattle Times, detailed his struggles with the travel schedule.

4. Toronto Blue Jays

Once upon a time, Toronto Blue Jays fans used to pack the SkyDome to capacity every night. The team won championships and everything was just peachy.

But baseball stopped during the 1994-95 MLB strike, and this franchise never quite rebooted. Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Roy Halladay and Jose Bautista haven't been able to lead it back to the postseason.

Toronto's home venue—now known as the Rogers Centre—can't deny its history of mechanical problems. In the past, falling acoustic tiles (via the Spartanburg Herald Journal) and a defective roof (via ESPN.com) have contributed to lousy game-day experiences.

And contention is not in the foreseeable future.

The Blue Jays are likely to get younger at the major league level with Yunel Escobar and Adam Lind on the trading block, Kelly Johnson bound for free agency and Omar Vizquel retiring.

The pitching staff is questionable at best. The team expects to lean heavily on Ricky Romero (9-14, 5.77 ERA, 1.67 WHIP) and Sergio Santos (coming off shoulder surgery). Starters Kyle Drabek and Drew Hutchison both underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012.

Second baseman Roberto Alomar is the franchise's sole representative in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and he shared his MLB tenure with six other clubs.

3. Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians know the pain of parting with marquee names. Over the years, they've lost Tom Candiotti, Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, etc. Who will be next to go? Shin-Soo Choo?

Two full generations of fans have come into this world since the Tribe last won a title in 1948. Annual underwhelming performance explains why Progressive Field suffers from poor attendance (four straight years under 23,000 per game). It's shocking that eternal drummer John Adams continues to support such a lousy product, writes MLB.com's Zack Meisel.

This franchise cannot keep its leadership consistent. Since being created in 1901, not a single manager has spent a decade at the helm.

Cleveland's prospects of contending in 2013 look pretty bleak. Mark Shapiro and the front office must find upgrades at first base, designated hitter and left field while revamping the starting rotation.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates

Don't feel embarrassed if you believed the Pittsburgh Pirates were going to finish above .500 this past year. Everybody jumped on that bandwagon.

Of course, an unprecedented collapse dropped the Bucs to fourth place and extended their streak of consecutive losing seasons to 20.

The Steel City hasn't hosted a World Series game since disco died. Pittsburgh's only major award winner of the past 20 years? Jason Bay (NL Rookie of the Year, 2004).

The Pirates play in one of Major League Baseball's finest ballparks, but its beauty can't compensate for so much mediocrity.

1. Chicago Cubs

Their 104-year championship drought is unfortunately the longest in North American professional sports history. External factors like the "Curse of the Billy Goat" and Steve Bartman continue to deny the franchise a World Series ring.

It's evident that the Chicago Cubs have tried to buck the trend, especially in recent years. Kosuke Fukudome and Carlos Zambrano—among others—were given gruesome contracts that pushed payroll far above $100 million in 2008. The Cubs outspent most competitors but lost just the same.

Right now, there's no light at the end of tunnel. The Cubs just lost 100-plus contests for the first time since the Vietnam War! And Starlin Castro is the only young building block with a deal running through the middle of the decade.

Time heals all wounds...except in Chicago's case. Each passing summer adds to the pathos.

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