Chicago sports coming up short in 2024

The big picture: The Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, Bears, Fire, Red Stars and Sky have all underachieved at once. If you include the fall 2023 records, you get these lowlights:

• The White Sox set the MLB record for most losses before the All-Star break.
• The Cubs collapsed down the stretch last year and have not met expectations in 2024.
• The Bears went 7-10 after starting 0-4.
• The Bulls missed the playoffs again and are starting a rebuild.
• The Blackhawks finished second-worst in the entire NHL.
• The Fire has only won 5 of its 23 matches in 2024.

State of play: Even with a surge of interest in women's sports, the Sky and the Red Stars are struggling. The Sky are 9-14, and the Red Stars are 7-7-2.

Flashback: We've suffered through plenty of years without a team in the playoffs, but fans point to 1999 as the last time there was this much losing. That year the Bears were led by the underperforming Cade McNown, and the Bulls were regrouping after the end of the Michael Jordan dynasty.

• ​​Chicago Bears: 6-10
• Chicago Blackhawks: 29-41-12
• Chicago Bulls: 13-37 (Season shortened due to NBA lockout)
• Chicago Cubs: 67-95
• Chicago White Sox: 75-86

The intrigue: If the Cubs fall out of playoff contention, the 2024 season could topple 1999 as worst ever

Yes, but: With losing comes high draft picks. Rookies like Connor Bedard, Shota Imanaga, Angel Reese and Caleb Williams may be the stars of the future.

The bottom line: Winning sports teams bring a city together, but it doesn't seem like there will be tickertape parades anytime soon.