Chicago White Sox avoid becoming the worst MLB team in modern history by defeating the Angels

Chicago White Sox avoid becoming the worst MLB team in modern history by beating Angels. Originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

The Chicago White Sox avoided becoming the worst team in modern MLB history by averting their 121st loss of the season with a win against the Angles on Tuesday night.

“That's not something anybody wanted to be associated with,” general manager Chris Getz said of the record before the game. “And now, honestly, avoiding that record wasn't the highest priority because we were looking out for the long-term health of the organization. I want to compliment our players and the personnel we brought in here to help these players finish the season. I think culturally, the attitude and effort has been really good. And that's because of Grady (Sizemore), that's because of some of the other coaches and that's because of the players. Obviously, they want more.

“They want to look up and see more wins in the table, just like our fans. But when we made the move for Pedro (Grifol) in August, the goal was to get us to the finish and get some wins along the way, not necessarily just in the win-loss table, but to improve our effort and our game and set ourselves up for a better 2025.”

On Sunday, they tied the 1962 Mets for the most losses in modern history. They also surpassed the 2003 Detroit Tigers and the 1916 Philadelphia A's, who also rank high on the list of losses in the modern MLB era, with 119 and 117 losses, respectively.

Technically, the Cleveland Spiders have lost more games – and will continue to lose more games – than the White Sox did in 1899. Their 134-loss season is not associated with today's teams because they played fewer than 162 games that season.

But the South Side isn't done yet this season either. They have two more games against the Angels before finishing the season on the road against the Detroit Tigers. The White Sox could finish the season with 125 losses, six more than any other modern team.

Although the White Sox narrowly avoided making turbulent history, they still have a crucial offseason ahead of them. This offseason, the White Sox cannot pick higher than 10.^th in the 2025 MLB Draft after finishing higher in last year's draft.

For now, the team will focus on finishing the season. But they must decide on a new full-time manager after deciding to fire Pedro Grifol last month. They also have serious decisions to make about their roster, with potential moves for Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet on the table.

The team must also decide whether to exercise the $25 million club option on infielder Yoán Moncada, who missed most of this season with an adductor injury. Moncada is one of only four players whose 2025 salary is currently set, while others like Crochet are eligible for salary arbitrage.

The team also has Andrew Benintendi under contract and a $7.5 million club option on Max Stassi's contract.

While the White Sox are still close to breaking the record, Getz emphasized before the game his and the organization's appreciation for White Sox fans this season.

“I think it's really important to say a heartfelt thank you to our fans who have stood by us through this very difficult, painful season,” Getz said before the game. “They didn't deserve this. It was very stressful for me personally, for our staff and for everyone in this organization. Our fans certainly didn't deserve to have to go through this. I know they pay money to come to games and watch games. They see the Chicago White Sox as a positive outlet and we haven't been able to deliver too many positives over the course of the season.”

“It is certainly my job now and that of others to focus more on the future, learn from the past and start building the White Sox that our fans and everyone who works here deserve.”

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