How many wins do the White Sox need to avoid the most single-season losses in MLB history? originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The White Sox’ 6-4 loss to the Guardians on Wednesday pushed their season total to 114.
The White Sox are still 21.5 games behind the next-to-last Miami Marlins (54-92). How many more games do they need to win to avoid setting an MLB record for most losses in a single season?
The White Sox need to finish at least 9-6 to avoid setting the modern record for most losses in a season. The 1962 Mets hold the current record, with 120 losses that season. Technically, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders hold the real MLB record with 134 losses; they only played 154 games versus 162.
As it stands, the White Sox are seventh on the list for most losses in a season, trailing the 1899 Spiders, the 1962 Mets, the 2003 Tigers (119 losses), the 1916 Athletics (117 losses), the 2018 Orioles and the 1935 Boston Braves (each with 115 losses).
The White Sox have series left against the Athletics (beginning Friday), Angels, Padres, Angels (again) and Tigers to close out the season. If they can’t win nine out of those five series, they’ll hold the modern-day record for most losses in a season, capping off a tumultuous era of South Side baseball.
On Wednesday, chairman Jerry Reinsdorf issued a statement to multiple media outlets expressing his thoughts on the “historically difficult season.”
“Everyone in this organization is extremely unhappy with the results of this season, and that goes without saying,” Reinsdorf said, according to multiple media outlets. “This year has been very painful for everyone, especially our fans. We didn’t get here overnight, and solutions don’t come overnight. Looking back on last year, we made difficult decisions and implemented changes to set a foundation for future success.
“What has impressed me is how our players and staff have continued to work and brought a professional attitude to the stadium every day, despite a historically difficult season. Nobody is happy with the results, but I commend the continued effort. I expect to be able to say more at the end of the season.”
The White Sox are in a lot of trouble, even this offseason. The organization fired manager Pedro Grifol in August and named Grady Sizemore interim manager for the remainder of the season. The White Sox still have to find a new manager for their team after the 2024 season.
On Monday, Getz shared his thoughts on the White Sox’ historic losing season.
“If you had told me we were going to flirt with the record, I would have been a little surprised,” Getz said. “If you had told me before the year that we were going to end up with 100-plus losses, 105, 110, I wouldn’t have been as surprised. These are the cards we’ve been dealt so far. You try to make the best of it.”
Click here to listen to the White Sox Talk Podcast.
