The 2024 Chicago White Sox have etched their name in the history books, but unfortunately, it’s for all the wrong reasons.
They suffered their 120th defeat of the season on Sunday, joining the 1962 New York Mets in the record books for the most losses in a single season since the inception of modern baseball in 1900. With only six games remaining in the regular season, it seems inevitable that the White Sox will surpass this unwanted milestone in the days to come.
For the White Sox, the loss to the San Diego Padres with a score of 4-2 was akin to the 119 others they’ve endured this season, although this one was closer than some.
The White Sox will have the opportunity to break this record on Tuesday when they face the Los Angeles Angels at home.
Before delving into the current White Sox predicament, let’s revisit the 1962 Mets, the team they are now tied with. The Mets were a newly established team, brought into existence as an expansion franchise following the relocation of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants. Expansion teams typically struggle initially as they draft players from existing rosters, so the Mets’ poor performance was somewhat expected. However, the extent of their struggles was unparalleled.
The White Sox have been a staple in Chicago since 1900, with Jerry Reinsdorf at the helm since 1981. Following a disappointing 101-loss season in 2023, changes were made as the general manager was replaced by the farm director, Chris Getz. This transition sparked hope for improvement on the field, but the 2024 season has spiraled into historic infamy.
Amidst a season filled with setbacks, the past two months have been particularly brutal for the White Sox. Here’s a summary of the events since August 1:
Monumental losing streak: A 21-game losing streak, just one loss shy of the all-time American League record.
Manager ousted: After snapping the losing streak, Pedro Grifol was relieved of his managerial duties by Getz and Reinsdorf, having amassed a dismal 89-190 record in less than two seasons.
Early playoff elimination: The White Sox were eliminated from playoff contention on August 17, marking the earliest elimination since the introduction of divisional play in 1969.
Third 100-loss season in six years: Reaching 100 losses on August 25, marking the sixth instance in franchise history.
Franchise loss record tied on September 1: Equaling the record of 106 losses set in 1970 with a full month remaining in the season.
Sympathy from 1962 Mets: Surviving members of the 1962 Mets, including Craig Anderson, Jay Hook, and Ed Kranepool, expressed solidarity with the 2024 White Sox.
Reinsdorf’s leadership questioned: Allegations surfaced that Reinsdorf’s reluctance to embrace modernization and differing opinions contributed to the historic downfall of the 2024 White Sox.
With one loss separating them from making history, the 2024 White Sox are on the brink of uncharted territory. Once they surpass the MLB loss record, they will venture into a realm no modern baseball team has ventured before. The journey into historical insignificance awaits them on the frontier of the unknown.