The Chicago White Sox cemented a dubious place in MLB history with their 121st loss of the 2024 season, falling 4-1 to the Detroit Tigers on Friday. This defeat broke the modern-era record for the most losses in a season, surpassing the infamous 1962 New York Mets, who lost 120 games. Despite Zach DeLoach’s solo homer in the sixth inning, the White Sox couldn’t keep up with Detroit, who scored two crucial runs in the fifth and added another two in the seventh.
Detroit’s victory secured their first playoff berth in a decade. Meanwhile, Chicago’s 2024 season hit rock bottom, despite their surprising three-game win streak against the Angels earlier in the week. Interim manager Grady Sizemore remains hopeful, stating, “We can build from this… and get better.” However, this season will long be remembered for its painful lows, including a 21-game losing streak that tied the 1988 Orioles for the longest in American League history.
Garrett Crochet, the White Sox’s starting pitcher, delivered four scoreless innings with six strikeouts, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the record-setting loss. Reliever Jared Schuster faltered in the fifth, giving up two runs on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly after loading the bases. Chicago has two more games left to endure before closing out their worst season ever.
The night’s contrast was stark at Detroit’s Comerica Park, where jubilant Tigers fans celebrated their team’s return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
