The Chicago White Sox are on the brink of making unwanted history as they head toward the conclusion of the 2024 Major League Baseball season. With a week remaining, the White Sox's performance has positioned them to finish with the worst record in modern baseball history, tying or potentially surpassing the infamous 1962 New York Mets' 120 losses. Currently standing at 36-120, the numbers paint a grim picture of a team struggling on every front.
A Season of Offensive Struggles
The White Sox's offensive deficiencies have been stark and persistent throughout the season. With a slash line of .220/.278/.339, they fall significantly short of the league-average slash line of .244/.312/.400. Their performance at the plate is further highlighted by a dismal 76 OPS+, indicating they are 24% below the league average in terms of getting on base and hitting for power.
Home runs have been particularly elusive for the team, as they rank dead last in the league with only 127 homers this season. No player on the roster has reached the 20-home run mark, underscoring the severe lack of power hitting. The offensive woes are further emphasized by their league-low average of 3.07 runs per game. For comparison, the Tampa Bay Rays, who rank 29th in runs per game, average 3.78 runs.
Individually, Andrew Vaughn has been a standout, leading the team in both RBIs (67) and runs (54). However, Vaughn's efforts have been insufficient to lift the team's offensive profile; he ranks 103rd out of 130 qualifying players in OPS for the batting title.
Defensive and Pitching Woes
The fielding metrics are equally damning for the White Sox, who have been the worst defensive team in the league with -83 total zone runs. This performance starkly contrasts with teams like the Brewers and Mariners, who are tied for first with 46 total zone runs. Even the 29th-ranked Marlins are significantly better defensively, with -53 total zone runs.
Pitching has seen its share of challenges as well. The team's leader in WAR, Erick Fedde, has not pitched since July 27, depriving the rotation of its key performer. Consequently, the White Sox have accumulated a collective -6.8 WAR according to FanGraphs, making them the only team in the league with a negative figure. The second-worst team, the Rockies, have a positive 4.1 WAR, highlighting the White Sox’s unique struggles on the mound.
Troubles on the Road and at Home
The White Sox’s record on the road and at home speaks volumes about their inability to perform consistently. With a 16-62 record on the road, they have been the worst in the league by a wide margin, with the Rockies holding the next fewest road wins at 24. Their performance at home has been no better, posting a 20-58 record, again the worst in the league. The Marlins’ 30-51 home record is the next fewest wins in this category.
Historical context deepens the understanding of their futility. Before this dismal season, the White Sox had never lost more than 55 road games or 53 home games in a single season.
Extended Losing Streaks
The 2024 season for the White Sox has been marred by lengthy slumps. The team endured losing streaks of 21, 14, and 12 straight losses each, in addition to several shorter streaks, including seven, six, and two stints of five games, one of which is still active. Prior to this season, the White Sox had only experienced losing streaks of 12 games or more three times in their history—in 1924, 1927, and 1967.
Second Half Collapse
Since the All-Star break, the White Sox have managed a 9-49 record. This dramatic collapse has placed them on the brink of another unenviable record: no team has ever won fewer than 15 games in a full second half. This dubious mark is held by the A’s, who went 15-61 in both 1915 and 1943.
Glimmers of Success
Even in a disastrous season, there have been minimal bright spots. The team's best months were May and June, when they posted 9-19 records each. Their worst month, July, saw them go an abysmal 3-22. Despite the overall dismal performance, the White Sox have managed winning records against five teams: the Braves (2-1), Rockies (2-1), Cardinals (2-1), Rays (4-2), and Nationals (2-1). However, within their own division, they are 12-41 against the rest of the AL Central.
All these factors culminate in what is undeniably the worst season in the history of the Chicago White Sox. As they play out the final week, the team and its fans endure the concluding chapter of a year that many hope will never be duplicated.