White Sox Fans (Creative Commons: IvyMike)
The Chicago White Sox are historically bad this season. They may even be the worst team in modern baseball history. In the past I’ve done somewhat of a comparison between the 2024 White Sox and the 1962 Mets. As time goes on, I’m beginning to think the Sox can eclipse that Colossus of Ineptitude, the 1962 Mets, and gain the crown for having the absolute worst record in modern baseball.
But before I delve into the Sox situation in more detail, I want to give a shout out to the 2003 Tigers. They had the brass ring of outstanding ineptitude within their grasp but choked by winning five out of their last six games to finish at 43-119. As Maxwell Smart would say, “Missed it by that much.”
The Tigers everyday players were bad, putting up a collective WAR of 5.1. However, their pitchers were shockingly bad, combining for a WAR of -1.0.
The Tigers’ Pythagorean record was 49-113, which indicates maybe some bad breaks or poor managerial decisions. But here’s the point. Despite the Tigers being really, really bad, and playing 41 years after the Mets historically bad season, I bet most of you didn’t remember the 2003 Tigers.
Being the second worst team in the modern baseball era is like being the Next-to -the last of the Mohicans. Nobody remembers you.
Here’s why the Sox need to be the worst team in modern baseball history
It’s a fitting monument to Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Reinsdorf has long shown disdain for Sox fans and has also shown little inclination to put a winner on the field. He’s also nearing 90 years old. One way or another he won’t own the team much longer. He may be at the point of thinking about his legacy.
As it stands now, Jerry’s legacy could be being the owner of the worst major league baseball team in modern history.
So, what should the Sox do at the trade deadline?
Simple: Sell, Baby Sell! It’s obvious the Sox won’t be winners anytime soon, so why not make a run at the 1962 Mets’ record? Trade Erick Fedde and Garrett Crochet, as well as Luis Robert Jr. Those are the type of guys who could win you ballgames and make you the Next-to-the-Last of the Mohicans.
But even if the Sox don’t manage to lose 120+ games this season, there is always next year. Amazingly, despite fielding a team with a record of 27-74, the Sox came up with two excellent starting pitchers, seemingly out of the blue. Fedde and Crochet have managed to win 13 games between.
Last season Fedde was pitching in Korea and Crochet pitched 12.2 innings out of the Sox bullpen and picked up neither a win or a save. I doubt they can pull two starters that good out of their hat next season.
The Sox will be hard pressed to be worse next season than they are this season. But I think they can do it. Especially if they made moves like trading promising rookie starter Drew Thorpe for prospects.
Let’s kick that “winning” can down the road a few more years. And, 1962 Mets, the Sox are coming for ya! Once again, it makes me want to break into song. Think of this song to the theme of Cops:
“Bad Mets, Bad Mets Whatcha going to do
Whatcha going to do when the Sox come for you?”
And they’re coming hard.
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