As the 2024 Major League Baseball season approaches its end, the Chicago White Sox are on the brink of setting an ignominious record. With a dismal 36-120 record, they have already tied the infamously hapless 1962 New York Mets for 120 losses. Six games remain on the schedule, and the White Sox need just one more loss to stand alone with the worst record in modern baseball history.
Offensively, the team's struggles are stark. Their batting line of .220/.278/.339 is significantly below the league-average slash line of .244/.312/.400. This deficiency in hitting and getting on base is encapsulated by their 76 OPS+, indicating they are 24% below league average. Furthermore, with only 127 home runs—ranking them dead last in the league—not a single player has managed to reach the 20-home run milestone.
Compounding these woes is their lackluster run production, averaging just 3.07 runs per game, the lowest in the league. For perspective, the Tampa Bay Rays, who are second-to-last, average 3.78 runs. This offensive ineptitude has led to a staggering -320 run differential, as the White Sox have been outscored 799-479. Andrew Vaughn has been a lone bright spot, leading the team in RBIs and runs with 67 and 54, respectively, but still ranks just 103rd out of 130 qualifying players in OPS for the batting title.
The defensive side of the game provides no respite. The White Sox are the worst in the league with -83 total zone runs, significantly lagging behind the Miami Marlins, who are the second worst with -53. It's a stark contrast to the Brewers and Mariners, who lead the league with a positive 46 total zone runs.
Despite these defensive and offensive failings, the pitching staff hasn't fared any better. Erick Fedde, arguably the team's most valuable player in terms of Wins Above Replacement (WAR), has been sidelined since July 27. The White Sox's collective performance in FanGraphs' version of WAR stands at a league-worst -6.8, making them the only team with a negative figure. The Colorado Rockies, for comparison, are 29th but still have a positive 4.1 WAR.
On the road, the White Sox have been particularly abysmal, holding a 16-62 record—the worst in the league. The Rockies have the next fewest road wins, but even they have managed 24 victories. At home, the situation isn't much better, with a 20-58 record, again languishing as the worst in the league. Before this season, the franchise had never lost more than 55 road games or 53 home games in a single season.
Adding to the list of pain points are the multiple lengthy losing streaks endured over the season. They have slumped for 21, 14, and 12 straight losses at different points. Additional losing streaks of seven, six, and two stints of five games each have compounded their misery, with one five-game losing streak still active. Prior to this season, the longest losing streaks in White Sox history were 12 games in 1924, 1927, and 1967.
Post All-Star break, the White Sox have posted a disastrous 9-49 record. No team in MLB history has won fewer than 15 games in an entire second half, a dubious benchmark held by the A's, who went 15-61 in both 1915 and 1943. The White Sox's best months, relatively speaking, were May and June, where they posted 9-19 records. July marked their low point, with a 3-22 record.
While it's clear the 2024 season has been one of unprecedented futility for the White Sox, there have been rare glimpses of success. They managed winning records against a few teams: the Braves (2-1), Rockies (2-1), Cardinals (2-1), Rays (4-2), and Nationals (2-1). However, against their AL Central counterparts, they have posted a woeful 12-41 record.
In summary, the 2024 season has been a catastrophic chapter in the storied history of the Chicago White Sox. From offensive and defensive shortcomings to record-breaking losing streaks, the team has endured one of the most challenging seasons in Major League Baseball history. With a week left, the final record could very well cement their place in the annals of baseball ignominy.