The 2024 White Sox: On the Brink of Baseball Infamy

As the 2024 MLB season draws to a close, the Chicago White Sox find themselves teetering on the edge of baseball history — but not the kind that any team would aspire to achieve. With a record of 36-120 as of September 23, the White Sox are just one loss away from cementing their place in the annals of the sport for all the wrong reasons.

A Season of Low Expectations

Entering the 2024 season, the White Sox were not expected to be contenders for a playoff spot. Analysts and fans alike anticipated a challenging year, but few could have predicted the sheer magnitude of their struggles. The team has become synonymous with poor performance, and their current trajectory suggests they may soon be remembered as the worst team in modern MLB history.

An Offense in Freefall

The White Sox’s offensive woes are staggering. With a team slash line of .220/.278/.339, they rank dead last in all three major batting categories among the 30 MLB clubs. This dismal performance is highlighted by their inability to hit for power, as they sit at the bottom of the league in home runs. Additionally, their struggles to bring runners home are evident, as they have amassed the fewest RBIs in the league — nearly 100 behind the next lowest team.

The lack of offensive production has left fans and analysts scratching their heads, as the team seems unable to string together even the simplest of scoring opportunities. The frustration is palpable, and the players are feeling the weight of expectations that have turned into a heavy burden.

Pitching Problems Plague the Team

If the offense is bad, the pitching staff is not far behind. The White Sox’s starting rotation has been inconsistent, posting a team ERA of 4.77, which ranks 28th in the league. Their WHIP of 1.44 is equally troubling, placing them 29th overall. The bullpen has been even more of a liability, with a staggering 35 blown saves and a league-worst save percentage of just 35%.

This combination of poor hitting and ineffective pitching has created a perfect storm of failure, leaving the team struggling to find any semblance of success on the field.

The Countdown to Infamy

As the White Sox approach the end of the season, the question looms large: how close are they to making history for all the wrong reasons? With six games left on the schedule — three against the Los Angeles Angels and three against the Detroit Tigers — the team must win at least one game to avoid breaking the record for the most losses in a single season in the modern era.

Current Record and Upcoming Games

• Record as of Sept. 23, 2024: 36-120
• Upcoming Games:
  • Sept. 24: vs. Angels at 7:40 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 25: vs. Angels at 7:40 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 26: vs. Angels at 2:10 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 27: at Tigers at 6:40 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 28: at Tigers at 1:10 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 29: at Tigers at 3:10 p.m. ET

The Record for Most Losses

In the context of MLB history, the White Sox are on the verge of surpassing the 1962 New York Mets, who recorded 120 losses in their inaugural season. As it stands, the White Sox are tied with the Mets for the dubious honor, and with their current form, it seems almost inevitable that they will take sole possession of this unwanted record.

Historical Context

When discussing the worst seasons in baseball history, it’s essential to differentiate between the 1800s and the modern era. The Cleveland Spiders hold the all-time record for most losses with a staggering 134 in 1899. However, in the modern era (post-1900), the White Sox are poised to take the crown for the most losses in a single season.

Notable Teams with Poor Records

• 1962 New York Mets: 40-120 (.250 win percentage)
• 2003 Detroit Tigers: 43-119 (.265 win percentage)
• 1916 Philadelphia Athletics: 36-117 (.235 win percentage)
• 1935 Boston Braves: 38-115 (.248 win percentage)

The 2024 White Sox are on track to surpass the 2003 Tigers and the 1962 Mets, with only a handful of games left to play.

The Worst Win Percentage

In addition to potentially setting the record for most losses, the White Sox are also in contention for the worst win percentage in modern MLB history. The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics currently hold that record with a win percentage of .235. If the White Sox continue on their current path, they could easily eclipse that mark.

Run Differential Woes

Another area where the White Sox are struggling is run differential. While the Cleveland Spiders hold the all-time record for the worst run differential, the modern era record belongs to the 1932 Boston Red Sox, with a differential of -349. The White Sox currently sit at -320, meaning they have a narrow window to avoid surpassing that mark in their final games.

A Season to Forget

As the 2024 season winds down, the Chicago White Sox are not just playing for pride; they are battling against the weight of history. With each passing game, they inch closer to becoming the worst team in modern MLB history. The fans, players, and management alike are left to ponder how a season that began with low expectations could devolve into such a historic collapse. The final games of the season will not only determine their fate but will also leave an indelible mark on the franchise’s legacy.