The Chicago White Sox are more than halfway through an historic season in 2024--but for all of the wrong reasons. As of this writing they are in the midst of a team record 17 game losing streak. Their prior record losing streak was 14 games--and that was set this season.
The White Sox began play in 1901--it began well. Not only did they get off to a fast start, never having a below .500 record that season, they won the first American Legue pennant.
As for '24, the worst may be yet to come. The modern MLB record--since 1900--for worst MLB season ever was set in 1962 by an expansion team, the New York Mets. They were 40-120--a .250 winning percentage that season. Or if you prefer. a .750 losing percentage.
Today, the first day of August, the Sox record is 27-84, a .243 winning percentage. Don't expect a turnaround, because the White Sox traded away most of their best players before last month's trade deadline. Don't giggle, they had some good ones. Those relative ex-Sox stars include starting pitcher Erick Fedde, third baseman Paul DeJong, outfielder Eloy Jiménez, and relief pitcher Michael Kopech, were swapped for prospects.
The last two players are important, as they were prospects acquired for star Sox players several years ago in other "white flag" trades. And as bad as the South Siders have been so far in 2024, getting even worse seems all but certain.
Now it's time for geeky baseball stats. On this day, August 1, 2024, the all-time White Sox regular season win-loss record is 9580-9575. To blast out the obvious, since 1901, overall, the South Siders are a mere five games over .500.
In the spring of '01, William McKinley was president. There were only 45 states.
Sometime this month, perhaps as soon as next week, the Sox will be below .500--possibly for the first time ever--in their cumulative 124 years.
I don't have the time or the math skills to prove my point, but the South Siders--until the Black Sox scandal broke in 1920--were among baseball's elite. There were mediocre until the 1950s--and then quite good until that end of the '60s. More mediocrity followed, along with some successful seasons. Most recently, the Sox were the American League Central Division champions in 2021.
Also, keep in mind that the White Sox, until perhaps now, haven't had a prolonged stretch of awfulness, along the lines of legendary losers such as the St. Louis Browns or the Washington Senators.
So my guess is probably correct.
This is an historic season for the Chicago White Sox in so many ways.
A note to media folks: When reporting on this story, be polite and mention Marathon Pundit discovered this news first. Practice good sportsmanship--no cheating!
From my post at Da Tech Guy:
History awaits as Chicago White Sox might finish with worst MLB season ever
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