MLB 2024: How awful are this season’s White Sox?
You have arrived at ESPN’s UK edition. Stay on the current site or navigate to the US version. MLB MLB Home Scores Schedule Standings Statistics Teams Transactions MLB 2024: How awful are this season’s White Sox? David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior Writer. April 23, 2024, 12:00 PM. Share. Like. Open Extended Reactions: 22 The Chicago White Sox have a chance to create history in 2024, and not in a good way. A season of misery has already begun on the South Side. With only three victories in their first 22 games, this team looked poised to challenge the 1962 New York Mets, who finished 40-120 and still hold the contemporary record for most losses in a season. There have been competitors to that level of ineptitude (12) Teams have since lost at least 110 games, with the 2003 Tigers coming closest with 119 losses — but no one has exceeded that long-held record… yet. In 1962, the Mets had a winning percentage of.250, which was about 100 points more than the White Sox’s (.120). The White Sox lost 7-0 to the Twins on Monday, marking Chicago’s ninth shutout in the first 22 games. That had never been done before, not by the 1962 Mets (who were shut out only six times all season), not in 1968’s Year of the Pitcher, or even in the deadball era, when clubs could hit seven home runs every season.
“It’s not going to get any easier tomorrow,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said following his team’s eighth shutout, a 7-0 loss to the Phillies on Friday. “It won’t get any easier on Sunday. We have to figure out how to put strong ABs together, execute, and walk on home plate. Their batters have appeared helpless at the plate thus far, with the team hitting.190 and slugging.285, both of which are the lowest in the majors. The poor start, aided by the departure of important contributors such as Luis Robert Jr. and Yoan Moncada, is a clear indication that they have a chance to catch the 1962 Mets. Of course, two years ago, the Cincinnati Reds started 3-22 and finished 62-100. Last season, Oakland
Of course, two years ago, the Cincinnati Reds started 3-22 and finished 62-100. Last season, the Oakland Athletics appeared to be strong worst-ever contenders following a 5-23 start (they completed 50-112). Could Chicago really make a run at 121? Let’s look at some stats the White Sox have posted through 22 games, compared to historical rates over the same time frame, to see what it tells us about how awful their situation is.