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At some point this week, the Chicago White Sox are poised to break the Major League Baseball record for most losses in a season, currently held by the 1962 New York Mets. Casey Stengel, the manager of that notoriously ineffective team, famously remarked, “The only thing worse than a Mets game is a Mets doubleheader.” As the 2024 season wraps up, players like Aaron Judge are closing in on monumental achievements, but the White Sox’s current historical shortcomings are garnering their own kind of attention.
It’s easy to focus on winning teams, as victories are the ultimate goal of sports, which is why we have scoreboards. However, the most memorable teams are often those that have achieved greatness, leaving behind a legacy that overshadows more average champions.
By the same token, being the best at losing can also secure a place in history. Few can recall who won the World Series in 1962, but the Mets’ infamous performance remains etched in collective memory. Losing is often more relatable than winning; many can understand the feeling of striving yet falling short.
The 2024 White Sox embody this experience more than any other baseball team, possibly surpassing even the most unfortunate teams in other major sports. Despite being languishing, the White Sox’s poor performance does not signify an irreparable failure. They began the season with talent, much of which was traded away, and while they have a history to build upon, this season is simply one of struggle. Player Andrew Benintendi noted that every loss feels the same, highlighting the shared sentiment within the team.
While players may adopt a “one day at a time” mindset, observers can recognize the uniqueness of this season. The White Sox will return next year and, despite their record, there’s an opportunity for recovery and future success, a reality that will likely make any upcoming victories even sweeter.
The phenomenon of losing teams is perhaps not coincidental. As team management increasingly prioritizes strategic efficiency, the trend leans towards deliberately losing to cultivate future talent. Recent seasons have seen more teams end with 100 or more losses than ever before. Nevertheless, as the White Sox’s challenging season concludes, it’s important to recognize that each loss brings a lesson, embedding significance in the promise of future wins. We might never know the triumphs of legends, but we can relate to the White Sox’s current plight, and yet, the game goes on.
