For a while until he retired, Winn was the active leader in games played without a playoff appearance. This is how close he came:↵
2003: Mariners, 93-69, missed by two games
2009: Giants, 88-74, missed by four games
2010: Yankees, released early in season
2010: Cardinals, 86-76, missed by five games
The ’03 Mariners led their division into late August. The ’10 Yankees made the playoffs. The ’10 Cardinals led their division in the middle of August. And Winn was a Giant the year before they won the Series.
↵So heartbreakingly close.