The 1988 Baltimore Orioles have etched their name in baseball lore with a dismal 0-21 start that led to manager Cal Ripken Sr. being replaced by Frank Robinson just six games in. This disastrous beginning contributed to a 54-107 record that year, marking it as the worst start in MLB history.
Not only did the Orioles set a record for consecutive losses, but the American League record stands at 21 games, a feat that could soon be challenged. Recently, the Chicago White Sox hit their own streak of 20 consecutive losses after a 13-7 defeat to the Minnesota Twins.
The White Sox are on the brink of rewriting the record books, as the all-time worst losing streak in baseball history is held by the Philadelphia Phillies, who lost 23 games in 1961. The ultimate record is a staggering 26 losses set by the Louisville Colonels in 1889.
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This past weekend offered the White Sox a prime chance to turn things around against the Twins. Chicago’s ace, Garrett Crochet, kept the game tied at 2-2 through six innings, but relievers Touki Toussaint and John Brebbia let four runs slip away, securing a 6-2 victory for Minnesota.
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Sunday’s matchup was a rough ride; the Sox found themselves down 8-0 after just two innings. Despite a comeback attempt with seven runs, it wasn’t enough, leaving it as their best outing since July 3.
Their last win was against the Twins on July 10, a lifetime ago considering they’ve traded away six regulars—pitchers and key outfielders included—since then. Since that last victory, the team has been outscored 132-48, and their total win count stands at a mere 27.
Currently sitting at 27-87, the White Sox face a record-breaking season, poised to win just 38 games, the least since MLB transitioned to a 162-game format. While manager Pedro Grifol’s position seems secure for now, rumors of his impending dismissal swirl.
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Next up, the Sox will face the Oakland A’s, who hold the second-worst record in the American League at 46-67. This series, starting Monday at the Oakland Coliseum, offers Chicago perhaps their best chance to break the losing streak.