The Chicago White Sox have reached a significant low point in their season. Following a 4-2 defeat to the San Diego Padres on Sunday, the White Sox have now lost 120 games in 2024, tying the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in a single season during baseball’s modern era, which began in 1901.
This loss has also set a new record for futility in the American League, surpassing the previous mark held by the 2003 Detroit Tigers. Only one team in the 19th century, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who finished with a record of 20-134, has lost more games in a season than the current White Sox and the ’62 Mets.
Most losses in a season all time
| TEAM | RECORD | |
| 1 | 1899 Cleveland Spiders | 20-134 |
| 2 | 1962 Mets | 40-120 |
| 2 | 2024 White Sox | 36-120* |
| 4 | 2003 Tigers | 43-119 |
| 5 | 1916 Philadelphia Athletics | 36-117 |
| 6 | 1935 Boston Braves | 38-115 |
| 6 | 2018 Orioles | 47-115 |
“We are not going to be happy about it. If you are happy about it, then I don’t know what you are doing here,” catcher Korey Lee remarked after the game, as reported by Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
The White Sox currently have a .231 winning percentage, which is the worst in the modern era. This is four points lower than the previous record of .235, set by the 1916 Philadelphia A’s during a 154-game season. Additionally, the team’s minus-320 run differential ranks as the fifth-worst since the expansion era began in 1961.
Chicago initially seemed poised to avoid this dubious distinction after Miguel Vargas hit a home run in the sixth inning, putting the White Sox ahead 2-1. However, relievers Prelander Berroa and Fraser Ellard surrendered three runs to the Padres in the bottom of the eighth inning. Andrew Vaughn reached base with two outs in the ninth, but Robert Suarez struck out Gavin Sheets, sealing the White Sox’s fate.
This loss continues a trend of struggles in late-game situations for the White Sox, who have been outscored 214-105 during the seventh and eighth innings this season, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. They now hold an 0-102 record when trailing after eight innings.
With only six games left in the season, the White Sox will attempt to avoid outright setting a new standard for futility. They are scheduled to return home to face the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series starting Tuesday, followed by three games against the Detroit Tigers.
