The Chicago White Sox endured their 21st consecutive loss, matching the American League record with a 5-1 setback against the Oakland Athletics on Monday night, highlighted by Max Schuemann’s pivotal two-run single in the fourth inning.
This losing streak ties the longest since the 1988 Baltimore Orioles faced 21 defeats in a row. Meanwhile, the National League record for losses is 23 straight, set by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies.
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The record for the most consecutive losses in Major League Baseball belongs to the 1889 Louisville Colonels, a team in the American Association that suffered through 26 straight defeats during a 27-111 campaign.
“We discuss it every day,” said White Sox manager Pedro Grifol regarding the ongoing streak. “Everyone is aware of it. It’s 21 in a row. It’s definitely frustrating. It’s not enjoyable. It’s painful. It hurts. You can characterize it however you like. It’s not due to a lack of effort. No one wants to come out here and lose, so we need to focus on putting together a solid game and moving past this.”
The last time Chicago emerged victorious was on July 10 during a doubleheader against Minnesota, and now they stand at 27-88, projected to finish with a dismal 38-124 record, a mark not seen since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders finished 20-134. The White Sox have managed to score one run or fewer in 32 games.
“You just have to move on,” outfielder Corey Julks remarked. “Look forward to tomorrow, try to recover, don’t linger on the loss, and focus on learning and improving each day. … We’re just trying to unite as a team and discover a way to secure a win.”
