2024 White Sox are officially the worst team in modern history
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A sign depicting Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf hangs from the upper deck during a White Sox game in May. Photo: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
The 2024 White Sox are officially the worst team in modern MLB history, suffering their 121st loss to the Tigers in Detroit.
Why it matters: The White Sox (39-121) have etched their way into the record books for the worst possible reason, humiliating fans.
State of play: The Sox broke the record set by the 1962 New York Mets, who lost 120 games that season.
Context: When the 2024 season began, the White Sox signaled it would be a rebuilding season, shedding payroll and trading stars like pitcher Dylan Cease.
- No one could have predicted that would mean three 12-game losing streaks and being outscored by over 300 runs.
- They also played awful defense, pitched poorly and even botched the trade deadline.
- Manager Pedro Grifol was fired in August and replaced by Grady Sizemore, who didn't fare any better.
Reality check: The Sox were hit early on by the injury bug, losing stars like Yoán Moncada for the season and Luis Robert Jr. for long stretches of games.
- They also leaned heavily on the one bright spot, young pitcher and first-time All-Star Garrett Crochet, who ended up being overused and seldomly pitched down the stretch to preserve his arm for next season.
The intrigue: Amid this dreadful season, The Athletic recently published a scathing investigation into the ballclub, pointing the finger at longtime owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
- The article states that Reinsdorf is stuck in his old ways, doesn't accept new baseball metrics and even has the team fly on an old, out-of-date plane.
- The Athletic's anonymous sources, including former players and operations staff, ripped Reinsdorf and the Sox, accusing the South Siders of having the worst front office in all of baseball.
Between the lines: Fans and analysts don't see any easy way out.
- Due to MLB tanking rules, the Sox aren't guaranteed a high draft pick for this disastrous season. Also, GM Chris Getz recently said the team will not be active in free agency, instead suggesting they could course correct from within.
- "We've got guys on the field right now who need to improve their game," Getz said during an in-game interview. "A lot of young players who just need to make adjustments to be more productive."
The bottom line: Rebuilds take time, but the White Sox are already losing fans' patience as the team stumbles into the record books.
What's next: The Sox have two games left to play.