How many wins do the White Sox need to avoid the most losses in a single season in MLB history? Originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
With the White SoxFollowing the Reds’ 6-4 loss to the Guardians on Wednesday, their season loss total rose to 114.
The White Sox remain 21.5 games behind the second-to-last-place Miami Marlins at 54-92. How many more games would they need to win to avoid setting an MLB record for most losses in a single season?
The White Sox need to finish their season at least 9-6 to avoid setting the current record for most losses in a single season. The 1962 Mets hold the current record, with 120 losses that season. Technically, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders hold the true MLB record with 134 losses; they only played 154 games to their 162.
The White Sox currently rank seventh on the list of teams with the most losses in a season, behind the 1899 Spiders, the 1962 Mets, the 2003 Tigers (119 losses), the 1916 Athletics (117 losses), the 2018 Orioles and the 1935 Boston Braves (each recorded 115 losses).
The White Sox have remaining series against the A’s (starting Friday), Angels, Padres, Angels (again) and Tigers to finish the season. If they can’t get nine wins in those five series, they’ll own the modern record for most losses in a season, ending a tumultuous era in South Side baseball.
On Wednesday, President Jerry Reinsdorf issued a statement to multiple media outlets airing his thoughts on the “historically difficult season.”
“Everyone in this organization is extremely unhappy with the results of this season, that goes without saying,” Reinsdorf said, according to multiple outlets. “This year has been very painful for everyone, especially our fans. We didn’t get here overnight, and solutions won’t happen overnight either. Going back to last year, we’ve made tough decisions and changes to begin building a foundation for future success.
“What has impressed me is how our players and staff have continued to work and bring a professional attitude to the stadium every day despite a historically difficult season. No one is happy with the results, but I commend the continued effort. I look forward to having more to say at the end of the season.”
The White Sox are in serious trouble, even outside of this season. The organization fired manager Pedro Grifol in August and named Grady Sizemore as interim manager for the remainder of the season. The White Sox still need to find a new manager for their team beyond the 2024 season.
On Monday, Getz shared his thoughts on the trajectory of the White Sox’s historic losing season.
“If you had told me we’d end up flirting with the record, I would have been a little surprised,” Getz said. “Now, if you had told me before the year that we’d end up with over 100 losses, 105, 110, I wouldn’t have been as surprised. These are the cards we’ve been dealt right now. We have to try to make the best of them.”