White Sox fans reflect on the worst season in MLB history

Were there people who showed up to this game specifically to watch the team lose? Almost certainly. But there was also obviously a large group of fans who loved the team and wanted to spend time with them at the park.

There were general complaints – everyone who spoke to NBC News encouraged Jerry Reinsdorf to sell the team – but ultimately there was still a loyalty among the Chicago faithful on what could have been an infamous night. Some fans even remained defiant.

“It wasn’t a good season for us, but I’ll still come,” said Lance Norton, who first went to games as a child in 2004. “Everyone has their worries. At some point it will be our turn again. And when we get back up, I can talk as much as I want.”

Chicago found itself in a downward spiral after back-to-back playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021. The 2022 season was respectable as the team achieved a record of 81-81, placing second in the American League Central.

The next year things took a turn. Despite signing outfielder Andrew Benintendi to the richest contract in team history (five years, $75 million) and hiring Pedro Grifol as their new manager, the White Sox were pathetic, posting a 61-101 record in 2023. Traded at the trade deadline, Chicago dumped all the useful players it had, but didn’t exactly strengthen the farm system in return. The team fired general manager Rick Hahn and vice president Kenny Williams in August of that year, but promoted Chris Getz to head of the front office.

This season, the Sox have posted one inglorious mark after another.

In a 50-game span that ended September 3, Chicago went 5-for-45, the fourth-worst 50-game mark in MLB history and the worst 50-game stretch in more than 100 years. (The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics went 4-46.) The White Sox have recorded the most losses in franchise history, a mark they broke on September 1st. They had three separate losing streaks of 10 games or longer.

On August 5, Chicago lost its 21st consecutive game, another franchise record, becoming the first team since 1988 to lose at least 21 consecutive games. After winning nine games each in May and June, the team won a combined seven games in July and August.