Chicago White Sox Set Unwanted Record for Most Losses in a Modern MLB Season

With a disappointing 4-1 defeat to the Detroit Tigers, the Chicago White Sox have etched their name in the record books as one of the least successful teams in Major League Baseball history. This loss marked the White Sox’s 121st of the 2024 season, setting a new record for the most losses in a single season since the modern era began in 1901.

The game against the Tigers began with them scoring two runs in the fifth inning. Chicago’s outfielder Zach DeLoach provided a glimmer of hope by hitting his first career major league home run in the sixth, narrowing the deficit to one run. However, the Tigers responded decisively in the seventh inning, adding two more runs to secure the victory and clinch their first playoff berth since 2014.

As a result of Chicago’s struggles, the Los Angeles Angels now hold the distinction of the longest active playoff drought in MLB.

In an ironic twist, the White Sox’s historically poor performance has brought some relief to the New York area. Previously, the New York Mets held the modern record with 120 losses in 1962, but now it has shifted to the Windy City. Notably, the all-time record for losses in a single season belongs to the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who infamously finished their season with a dismal 20-134 record, winning only one of their final 41 games.

The White Sox’s troubling season was evident from the very beginning, as they opened with only three wins in their first 25 games. Things worsened dramatically when the team suffered a 14-game losing streak followed by a 21-game skid, tying the American League record set by the 1998 Baltimore Orioles.

In light of this unwanted record, infielder Nicky Lopez, a lifelong White Sox fan, expressed his frustrations to MLB.com, saying, “It obviously sucks. I’m going to be, we are all going to be attached to it. But also, we are going to move on. Whether I’m here next year or somewhere else, it quickly turns to that.” So far this season, the team has managed only 39 wins.

Interestingly, the White Sox’s social media team has taken a lighthearted approach to announcing their defeats. After a recent loss to the San Diego Padres, the team sarcastically posted the final score on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption: “FINAL: can be found on the MLB app.” Another post after a previous game read, “FINAL: the number of runs we scored was not greater than the number of runs they scored.”

Following the historic loss that set the new record, the team’s social media presence continued its snarky tone, sharing a screenshot featuring the final score alongside a meme of the team’s mascot, Southpaw, looking dejected. The post humorously listed things the team would rather do than read the comments that would inevitably follow.

Despite recently sweeping the Angels earlier in the week, the White Sox’s struggles may not be over, as they still have two more games against the Tigers before the season concludes. The team and its fans are left to ponder what went wrong during a season filled with disappointment.

As Chicago reflects on this challenging year, the focus will inevitably shift to the future. The front office will likely face difficult decisions as they seek to rebuild and restore the team to competitive form. Meanwhile, the players, while disheartened by their record, are trying to maintain a sense of optimism for the upcoming seasons.

In a league where records are often a point of pride, this season has been a stark reminder that success can be fleeting. The White Sox will be eager to turn the page and work towards a brighter future, away from the shadow of this unwanted historic mark.