Which MLB teams have lost 20 games in a row? Exploring the infamous stat following the 2024 White Sox's continued slump
The 2024 Chicago White Sox are nearing an embarrassing low this season as the worst team in the MLB after losing their 20th consecutive game against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. The White Sox became only the sixth team in the modern era (since 1900) to lose 20 consecutive games in the regular season.
While they are just one game away from tying the Baltimore Orioles' record of 21 straight losses that has not been matched for nearly over 35 years, they are dangerously close to setting a new record themselves given their current form.
Here are the teams with 20+ consecutive losses in the regular season in MLB history:
20 - Boston Americans (1906)
The 1906 Boston Americans (now Boston Red Sox) were the first MLB team since 1900 to lose 20 straight games in the regular season. Their losing streak began with a defeat against archrivals the New York Yankees. They finished the season with a 49-105 record.
20 - Philadelphia Athletics (1916)
Known as the Philadelphia Athletics due to their inception in Philadelphia, the A's witnessed an abysmal losing stretch during the 1916 season. The team managed by owner and former MLB player Connie Mack couldn't stitch two wins together in the entire season, finishing with a glaring 36-117 record.
20 - Philadelphia Athletics (1943)
The Athletics feature on the infamous list for a second time after matching their franchise record of 20 defeats on the bounce in 1943. Incidentally, both seasons were overseen by the late Hall of Famer Connie Mack during his record-breaking tenure. They became the second MLB team to lose 20 games on the trot in a horrid stretch that saw the A's go from 40-58 to 49-105 to finish the season.
20 - Montreal Expos (1969)
MLB regular season can be a tough prospect for several teams and the now-defunct Montreal Expos found it the hard way in their debut season in the major league in 1969. The team went on a horrid 20-game losing streak at the start of the season and despite finding their way in the second half, they finished with an underwhelming 52-110 record.
21 - Baltimore Orioles (1988)
There is a poor start to an MLB season, and then there is the 1988 Orioles' start to the season. The Baltimore team was handed a 12-0 rude awakening on the opening day, and it was followed by 20 consecutive defeats. The losing streak finally ended when the team shut out the White Sox in a game where Billy Ripken took a pitch to his head.
23 - Philadelphia Phillies (1961)
The Philadelphia Phillies hold the record for the longest losing streak in a regular season in MLB history since 1900. The Phillies lost 23 games on the trot and did not even manage to register 50 wins in a forgettable season that ended with a 47-107 record.
The 2024 White Sox are just three games away from tying the Phillies' infamous record, and manager Pedro Grifol will hope his team can find some inspiration in the next two games to avoid matching the feat.