The White Sox suffered a loss to the Red Sox on Thursday, marking their 14th consecutive single-season loss, a franchise record. The previous day, the team had tied the record when they were walked off by the Cubs’ Mike Tauchman in the ninth inning of the Crosstown Classic game at Wrigley Field. This losing streak surpasses the 15-game streak between two seasons in 1967-68.
Despite this streak, the White Sox are not alone in history. The MLB record for consecutive, single-season losses is set at 23 games by the Phillies in 1961. The record for the American League is held by the Orioles, who lost 21 straight games in 1988. This dismal performance has led to speculation about manager Pedro Grifol’s job status.
Prior to the Cubs game, Grifol acknowledged the rumors, stating that it comes with the territory when a team is struggling. He emphasized that the primary focus should always be on winning games, and when that doesn’t happen, changes may be necessary. This situation highlights the challenges faced by the team and the scrutiny that comes with their historic losing streak.