With just one week remaining in the 2024 Major League Baseball season, the Chicago White Sox stand on the brink of ignominy, poised to finish with the worst record in modern baseball history. Currently at 36-120, the White Sox have tied the infamous 1962 New York Mets with 120 losses, and with six games left to play, they could set a new low standard for futility.
Offensively challenged and defensively deficient, the numbers paint a dismal portrait of the team’s performance this year. As a unit, the White Sox are slashing .220/.278/.339, significantly below the league average of .244/.312/.400. Their 76 OPS+ means they are 24% below the league average in terms of getting on base and hitting for power, leading to a paltry average of just 3.07 runs per game, the lowest in the league.
The offensive woes are further highlighted by their inability to hit home runs, with the team ranking last in the league with just 127 homers. No player has managed to reach the 20-home run mark, and Andrew Vaughn, who leads the team in both RBIs (67) and runs (54), ranks 103rd out of 130 qualifying players in OPS for the batting title. The team's anemic offense is underscored by their -320 run differential, having been outscored 799-479 over the season.
Their struggles are not confined to the plate. Defensively, the White Sox have been the worst team in the league with -83 total zone runs, a stark contrast to the Brewers and Mariners, who lead with 46. Even the Marlins, ranked second last, are far ahead with -53 total zone runs. The metrics from FanGraphs' version of WAR (Wins Above Replacement) are equally grim, with the White Sox collectively posting a -6.8 WAR, the only team with a negative figure. In comparison, the Rockies, the second-worst team by this measure, have a positive 4.1 WAR.
The pitching staff, which has suffered from both injuries and inconsistency, hasn't fared much better. Erick Fedde, the team's leader in WAR, hasn't pitched since July 27, leaving a gaping hole in the rotation. This void has contributed to their miserable 16-62 road record, the worst in the league. At home, their 20-58 record also ranks dead last, marking unprecedented lows for the franchise.
Historical context provides little solace. The team has experienced three lengthy slumps of losing 21, 14, and 12 straight games this season. Additional losing streaks of seven, six, and two separate five-game skids (one of which is still active) have compounded their woes. Prior to 2024, the White Sox only had three instances of losing streaks of 12 games or more in their storied history, back in 1924, 1927, and 1967.
Since the All-Star break, the team’s performance has further deteriorated to a 9-49 record. No team in MLB history has won fewer than 15 games in a full second half, a dubious distinction currently held by the Philadelphia A's, who went 15-61 in both 1915 and 1943. The best months for the White Sox were May and June, where they still managed a poor 9-19 record. July marked their lowest point with a 3-22 record, further solidifying their disastrous season.
Despite the disheartening season, the White Sox have found minor successes against a few teams, managing winning records against the Braves (2-1), Rockies (2-1), Cardinals (2-1), Rays (4-2), and Nationals (2-1). However, their performance within the AL Central division has been abysmal, with a 12-41 record against their divisional opponents.
Ultimately, the 2024 season will be remembered as the worst in the history of the Chicago White Sox. The statistics tell a story of underperformance and struggle, from the batter's box to the field, making this a season the team and its fans will want to forget as soon as possible.