Should we root for an all-out catastrophe?
With the White Sox entering the second half on a frightening pace, what should fans expect?
As seen in the Futility Watch section of recaps, the White Sox have put themselves in a good position to set some not-so-good records. We are now in the second half of the season, and this just might be the worst team of the 21st Century.
The franchise record for most single-season losses is 106, achieved by the 1970 squad. When all is said and done, will the White Sox even avoid 115 losses? How about the chance to surpass those 43-119 Tigers of 2003? Also, will the White Sox even average three runs per game this season? By the way, the last teams that averaged less than three were the Angels and Rangers, who did that ... in 1972. The White Sox are still struggling to give themselves breathing room past the 3.00 mark.
Normally, a catastrophic season like this would have some silver lining. Even those 2003 Tigers landed Justin Verlander the following season, and they did not stay down for long. However, on top of all their other problems, no matter how badly they finish the White Sox cannot even pick any higher than 10th in the 2025 draft.
It would be an understatement to say that following the 2024 White Sox has been a difficult experience. As a result, many are searching for ways to cope with the disaster, and one of those options is to laugh through the pain. The season was over before it started, as the playoffs have been out of reach since the very beginning. So, it is understandable to root for the White Sox to make history. After all, it could be refreshing to see those responsible for this mess end up in the history books for the wrong reasons.
Will I be rooting for the White Sox to break all kinds of dubious records? Personally, no, for two reasons.
This is my favorite team, and regardless of how much contempt I have for those who put them in this position, I would rather not see other fans laughing about the 2024 White Sox in 20 years.
However, the much more important reason has to do with the team’s future. It is possible that serious changes will be made if they go down as one of the worst teams in MLB history. I would not count on that happening, though. Whether the White Sox stumble to a 39-123 record or somehow “salvage” a 56-106 season, will leadership (1) admit that serious changes need to be made and (2) make moves that genuinely improve the long-term outlook? Regardless of how the next three months play out, the White Sox are in deep trouble, and the organization is simply not in good hands.
The team is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and the light at the end of the tunnel is miles away. So, let’s make the best of a bad situation. Let’s be pleasantly surprised when they defy odds and win a game. There are no good immediate answers, but especially given the lack of an early first round pick, hoping for the best is the best option we have.