# The White Sox - A Brutal Truth

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Tags:** baseball-mlb\
**Created:** [April 16, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363 "2024-04-16T12:30:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 32

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**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/621 "2024-09-26T02:18:34Z")

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> [@pulykamell](#):
>
> I must be missing something. How would this happen with the amount of games left?

OK, I had a massive brain fart. My bad.

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**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/622 "2024-09-26T02:37:50Z")

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Well pooh. Bottom of the 10th, Benintendi singles to drive the ghost runner in.

Record sits at 38-120, with worst possible record now 38-124.

One more against the lackluster Angels. As tight as the WC race is, Detroit is going to be sweating each game probably all the way to the end of the season.

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**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/623 "2024-09-26T17:17:11Z")

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I knew they could beat the Angels. They go again today at 2:10 EST with history on the line.

The race to the AL Wild Card is odd in that none of the four teams fighting for the last two spots play each other.

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**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/624 "2024-09-26T17:36:38Z")

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> [@RickJay](#):
>
> The race to the AL Wild Card is odd in that none of the four teams fighting for the last two spots play each other.

One of the oddities is that the Royals finish with two series against NL teams. They have their last game in Washington this afternoon, then end the season in Atlanta.

KC got some bad luck when Atlanta’s two games with the Mets were rained out yesterday and today. The Braves, who are fighting for a NL wild card spot, will now probably throw their two best pitchers against the Royals. Meanwhile, the Tigers face the White Sox (nuff said), while the Twins play the Orioles. The Orioles are just about eliminated from the East title, but need just one more win to clinch the top WC spot. Even though the Royals are tied with Detroit right now, 2 games ahead of the Twins, I do not like their chances this weekend.

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**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/625 "2024-09-26T19:53:48Z")

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The White Sox just put up a touchdown and extra point in the bottom of the 5th to go up 7-0 in the last game of the series against the Angels.

Looking like the White Sox won’t get to break the loss record at home. They’re even bad at being bad.

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/626 "2024-09-26T20:00:10Z")

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So what milestones are we watching for at this point?

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**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/627 "2024-09-26T20:03:59Z")

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Leave it to the Angels. Their only real assets were Ohtani and Trout and we saw how they handled that.

> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> So what milestones are we watching for at this point?

Loss 121 would be more losses in a single season than any team has ever managed in the modern era (120 by the 1962 Mets). The White Sox are guaranteed at least a share of that prize, since they hit 120 already.

Given the tight WC race, Detroit is almost certainly going all out to finish the season and should, barring total meltdown, win at least 1 if not all 3 games to close out the season.

Unfortunately, short a miracle, the WS are winning at least 39 games this season, which means they will NOT have the lowest win percentage of the modern era (held by the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics) but should finish 2nd on that noteworthy list, again barring total meltdown by Detroit.

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**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/628 "2024-09-26T21:02:53Z")

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Well damn. A series like the Sox just had would have made me happy in April.  
Today? Raspberries!

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**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/629 "2024-09-26T21:06:31Z")

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The Sox can’t even lose successfully.

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**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/630 "2024-09-27T12:45:34Z")

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> [@Great\_Antibob](#):
>
> Unfortunately, short a miracle, the WS are winning at least 39 games this season, which means they will NOT have the lowest win percentage of the modern era

That’s too bad. Hate to see all this year’s effort amount to no more than 2d place!

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/631 "2024-09-27T13:05:31Z")

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Tonight, the White Sox could be ruiners for the TIgers incredible comeback season. All the Tigers have to do is beat the frickin’ terrible White Sox and the Tigers make the playoffs.

Come on, White Sox. It’s OK to, you know, stuff of a bit one game just to help a team that has a great comeback story going.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/632 "2024-09-27T13:12:40Z")

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> [@Dinsdale](#):
>
> That’s too bad. Hate to see all this year’s effort amount to no more than 2d place!

Yeah, having to settle for the worst win percentage in over a century is just such a shame.

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**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/633 "2024-09-27T13:40:32Z")

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> [@Mahaloth](#):
>
> Tonight, the White Sox could be ruiners for the TIgers incredible comeback season. All the Tigers have to do is beat the frickin’ terrible White Sox and the Tigers make the playoffs.

It’s not do or die for Detroit, note-they have all weekend to clinch. Playoff odds of 99.2 note.

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/634 "2024-09-27T13:42:29Z")

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> [@John\_DiFool](#):
>
> It’s not do or die for Detroit, note-they have all weekend to clinch. Playoff odds of 99.2 note.

True, but I think Detroit is ready to go nuts tonight, so it’d be nice if Detroit pulls it off.

Anyway, thanks. I can’t believe the Tigers are on the brink. I put them on “ignore”, so to speak, a few months ago.

Note: Also a mild redemption for Detroit. Our precious Red Wings made a huge surge at the end of the season, but just missed the playoffs. I can barely remember in my lifetime having the Red Wings not be competitive until these past few years.

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**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/635 "2024-09-27T17:22:21Z")

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They’re jelling at just the right time. Massive momentum going into the playoffs. A genuine threat to go all … the … way!

Wait, what?

They’ve been eliminated for months? Why wasn’t I informed?

Nevermind! regards Emily

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**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/636 "2024-09-27T18:11:10Z")

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> [@Mahaloth](#):
>
> Note: Also a mild redemption for Detroit. Our precious Red Wings made a huge surge at the end of the season, but just missed the playoffs. I can barely remember in my lifetime having the Red Wings not be competitive until these past few years.

I can remember when they were in the Norris Division and for awhile in the 80s basically the entire division was uncompetitive. They existed to offer up a sacrificial lamb for either the Oilers or Flames to annihilate in the conference final. If the rules had allowed it the division would have been eliminated from the playoffs. In one season, 1986-1987, every team in the Norris had a losing record. As one article put it, “How They Bore Us In The Norris.”

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/637 "2024-09-27T18:14:22Z")

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> [@RickJay](#):
>
> I can remember when they were in the Norris Division and for awhile in the 80s basically the entire division was uncompetitive.

I do remember. Dead Wing era.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/638 "2024-09-27T18:15:06Z")

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And the Maple Laughs. I assume the North Stars, Blues, and Blackhawks had similar names.

Since then four of those five franchises have won a Cup. We all know the fifth.

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**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/639 "2024-09-27T22:04:50Z")

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At the risk of enduring **RickJay** ’s wrath for the topic drift (maybe we should start a 2024-25 NHL thread), the Red Wings of the Yzerman/Lindstrom era were the most professionally played hockey team I have ever seen. In the years they won their titles they literally _never_ screwed up on defense, and as such they usually had very lopsided shot ratios.

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-sox-a-brutal-truth/1000363/640 "2024-09-28T00:16:11Z")

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Back on topic. Tigers lead 2-1 after 6 innings.

How’s Detroit’s bullpen?

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