I want to write something terrible here. Because sometimes when you’re in the middle of it, you can’t fully understand the level of evil. Sometimes you can’t see the forest because of your misery.
It’s the kind of thing that makes you remember Marv Throneberry, research the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics, and remember how disillusioned Babe Ruth’s final season as a player was. Usually this includes him having one club’s worst attack ever. But here’s a little secret about this season. Multiple teams may head to Dreadful Island.
When this season began, the three worst season winning percentages in modern MLB history (since 1900) were Connie Mack’s 1916 A’s .235 and Ruth’s sideshow 1935 Boston Braves’ .248. , and it was .250. Throneberry’s wonderful 1962 Mets still hold the season record of 120 losses.
But by Friday, those teams are now ranked third, fourth and fifth. Because the 2024 White Sox (.154) were first followed by the 2024 Marlins (.222). The 2024 Rockies were in fourth place until Thursday’s eight-inning, six-run rally to beat the Padres 10-9. The win moves them into ninth place, tied with, wait, double check here – yes, the 2024 Astros. These teams began their second consecutive match in Mexico City on Saturday.
Now, this is a small story, but let’s take a snapshot and compare it to the entire season. Even though the White Sox were 4-22, their winning percentage before May wasn’t the worst in history (minimum 20 games). However, it took a team that lost its first 21 games to set this record, as the 1988 Orioles went 1-22 in April.
Those Orioles finished with a record of 54 wins and 107 losses, a testament to the wisdom of one American League executive who especially warned against predicting that the White Sox were on their way to the Hall of Corruption. . The official insisted on the philosophy that no matter the team, he wins 54 games and he loses 54 games. Because that’s the reality of a long season, and what defines a season is how he does in those 54 toss-ups. So even if the White Sox were in the third category and he was 0-54, by this theory he would still be 54-108 and not the 1962 Mets.
It suggests taking a deep breath and perspective that this season is long, and that a first month this bad probably portends a bad season, but not the greatest flop of all time.
But here’s why I wonder if we’re probably going to see some historically bad things happen to some teams.
1. MLB.com ranks the White Sox farm system 20th out of 30, Rockies 21st, Astros 27th and Marlins 29th. No help is coming.
2. Many of the few good veterans on these bad teams could be auctioned off at the trade deadline.
3. A few years ago, the number of wild cards per league was expanded to three, which increased the number of teams that did not concede a goal during the season. Therefore, bad clubs will become more visible (and bullied) than ever before, as their already poor talent base worsens without trades or an influx of talented prospects.
Despite this, it’s hard to believe that the Astros, who were playing in the ALCS for the seventh straight year last October, were this bad (7-19 through the weekend). The downside for them for me is the 2023 Cardinals. After a long winning streak, the Cardinals went 10-19 in April of last year, before being sold at the deadline and finishing with a record of 71-91, their worst record since 1995. However, it is not a historically bad performance.
The Rockies tend to play well enough at home (or more likely because their opponents aren’t as well-adjusted to the altitude) to avoid notoriety. Last season, for example, Colorado lost 103 games, going 37-44 at home and 22-59 on the road. In fact, from 2019 to 2023, the Rockies had a winning record at Coors Field (181-173) and the worst road record in the majors (117-236). They’ve looked particularly bad this season, but something strange is happening at Coors, as highlighted in Thursday’s rally against San Diego.
But nothing goes right for the White Sox and Marlins. In terms of offense, he was the worst in points scored in two out of the three times, and the worst in points allowed on defense twice, and his ERA was 26th (Marlins) and 29th (White Sox).
They would have to make a lot of effort (and win) to avoid joining the Athletics in 1916. The Athletics were in turmoil as Mack sold or traded star players from the 1910, 1911 and 1913 championships, and the 1914 pennant winner. In 1935, when it was discovered that the Braves hired Ruth at the age of 40 on the false promise that he would become their manager, it was clear that Ruth was the one trying to attract fans to this disastrous franchise. (He instead retired after six weeks of the season); and the adorable and funny 1962 expansion Mets.
The Marlins have not been an expansion team since entering the majors with the Rockies in 1993. Ten years later, they won their second World Series. It was the last time they made the playoffs in a 162-game schedule prior to last season. However, the 2023 Marlins had an unparalleled record of 33-14 in games with a one-point difference, and a clear record of 12-27 against teams with a best-of-seven record. Owner Bruce Sherman controversially fired GM Kim Ng and hired Peter Bendix from the Rays in an attempt to find Tampa Bay’s magic of high performance at low wages.
But while shortstop Tim Anderson, the only major league free agent signing, has made an already bad infield defense even worse, so far his 2023 offensive plunge has shown to be nothing out of the ordinary.
Rotation was expected to be a strength for the team. However, Yuri Perez, like ace Sandy Alcantara, will need Tommy John surgery and is out for the season. After breaking out in 2023, Braxton Garrett has yet to pitch this year due to an impingement in his shoulder. Starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo, the Marlins’ best trade chip, had the worst ERA (6.58) in the National League and was hurt from Friday’s start, then placed on the IL with elbow strain. Meanwhile, power left-handed reliever Tanner Scott, perhaps their second-best trade chip, has regressed to his rough-and-tumble ways (12 walks in 10 square/₃ innings).
The White Sox are darker. They traded their only quality starter, Dylan Schiess, to San Diego two weeks before the season opener. Late-signed free agent Mike Clevinger may soon improve things in a sewer-rose kind of way (the team’s 77+ ERA was currently its second-worst mark in the past half-century) ).
The White Sox’ best player, center fielder Luis Robert Jr., should be back around June 1 from a hip flexor strain. However, the White Sox have so many players and are so far from winning that they will have to consider whether they can use Robert. What the Nationals did with Juan Soto is trade a long-time dominant star outfielder for a ton of upside potential. If Robert’s option is picked up, he will have three years and $55 million left after this season.
Even if they decide to wait until the offseason to sell Robert, it would be difficult for one star to change the trajectory of this season, not just bad, but historically.
