Which Team Has the Worst MLB Record Ever? Here’s How Close the White Sox Are to Beating It originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The White Sox suffered their 114th loss of the season on Wednesday with a 6-4 defeat to the Guardians.
With that, they have lost 15 straight home games and are 1-27 in their last 28 home games. The Guardians also handed them their 23rd series sweep of the season. The White Sox are 21.5 games behind the next-to-last place, 54-92 Miami Marlins.
Which team holds the record for the most losses in an MLB season? And how close are the White Sox?
The modern record for most losses in a single season is held by the 1962 Mets, who lost 120 games. Technically, the Cleveland Spiders hold the record for most losses in a single season, when they suffered 134 losses during the 1899 season.
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 need to finish the season at 9-6 to avoid surpassing the 1962 Mets for the modern record. They have series remaining against the Athletics (beginning Friday), Angels, Padres, Angels (again) and Tigers. If they can’t win nine of those five series, they’ll own the modern record for most losses in a season, capping 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.”
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