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Here’s one thing that can’t be argued: The 2024 Chicago White Sox are the worst MLB team of the modern era after losing their 121st game on Friday night.
But are they worse than the worst NHL team of all time? How about the NFL or the NBA?
Let’s take a look at those legendarily awful teams and see how they compare to the 2024 White Sox, who are now the losingest team in modern MLB history.
NFL: 2008 Detroit Lions, 0-16; 2017 Cleveland Browns, 0-16
Winning zero games is surprisingly difficult in the NFL, despite the relatively small number of games in a season. Only two teams in the 16-game era (1978-2020) finished their seasons with zero wins and zero ties: the 2008 Lions and the 2017 Cleveland Browns. While it’s hard to be a fan of a baseball team that loses repeatedly In 162 games, is it harder to be a fan of a team that wins zero of 16 games with a full week between most games?
NBA: Charlotte Bobcats 2011-12, 7-59, .106 winning percentage; 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, 9-73, .110 winning percentage
There are two teams that can technically claim to be the worst NBA team of all time: the 2011-12 Bobcats and the 1972-73 76ers. That Bobcats team has the worst winning percentage in NBA history, even though they did it in a lockout-shortened 66-game season. The ’72-’73 Sixers team has the worst record in an 82-game regular season. Despite playing a season 14 games shorter than normal, the Bobcats deserve to be here for ending their season on an abysmal 23-game losing streak.
NHL: Washington Capitals 1974-75, 8–67–5, .131 winning percentage
Of all the teams on this list, the 1974-75 Capitals deserve the most sympathy. That was their first season of existence as an expansion team. And unlike MLB and NBA teams, NHL teams have a third possible outcome: ties! (Ties are possible, but rare in the NFL.) A tie is at least a change from losing, and when your favorite team loses 67 games in a season, any change is welcome.
MLB: White Sox 2024, 39-121 (2 left to play), .244 winning percentage
Due to the large number of games, it is difficult to compare baseball to other sports. The 2024 White Sox have more wins than all the other teams on this list combined, and none of those teams lost more than 121 games in a single season. That’s what makes the MLB season so tough. It is as long as the other three main sports (about six months), but they are played much more frequently.
With the differences between all sports, is it really possible to determine which of them is worse? Ask fans of any of these teams and they will give you a compelling reason why their team deserves to be considered the worst of all time. And truly, there is no wrong answer.
But the White Sox have been so bad this season that the surviving members of the 1962 New York Mets, the previous record holders for worst team, have expressed sympathy for the 2024 White Sox team. When something like this happens , it’s time to end the contest.
