DETROIT – The Chicago White Sox have just carved their name into the record books – but not in a way any team would want. Following their disappointing 4-1 loss against the Detroit Tigers, the White Sox have officially recorded the most losses in a single MLB season with a staggering total of 121 games. This unfortunate milestone eclipses the 120 losses by the infamous 1962 New York Mets, a record that stood for over 60 years.

As the White Sox’s dismal season unfolded, the atmosphere around Guaranteed Rate Field turned from hopeful anticipation to peaks of despair. Capturing the somber mood, team owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who made his way through a crowded media elevator after the game, reflected on the season, stating, “I wish we saved our best for first.” Though the White Sox had managed to sweep the Los Angeles Angels just days prior, the joy was fleeting, met with jeers and chants from frustrated fans demanding Reinsdorf sell the team.

The franchise's struggles became glaringly evident early in the season, marked by a lamentable 3-22 start in April and a catastrophic 14-game losing streak. The nadir came with a 21-game skid, almost surpassing the all-time record. The setbacks were not limited to losing streaks; numerous players failed to produce, as evidenced by the fact that 17 of the 29 players used this season were worth negative wins above replacement.

General manager Chris Getz made a public apology to the fans, admitting, “They don’t deserve this.” He sought to put a positive spin on the team's bleak performance, suggesting that they are laying down the building blocks for future success, and hinted at potential investments in the team's infrastructure.

Amid the turmoil, interim manager Grady Sizemore took over midseason, showcasing resilience with his unique approach, including wearing the same “lucky” shirt for games against the Angels. Yet, positivity seemed tough to sell to fans who endured countless blown leads and defensive errors throughout the season.

As the White Sox struggled, players like Luis Robert Jr. faced the weight of expectation, saying, “That’s on us, that’s on me,” in response to the disappointing results. Teammates expressed a blend of frustration and determination, with Gavin Sheets noting the sadness of their situation and hoping for better days ahead.

The end of the season brought a mix of reality and finality for the White Sox. When Andrew Vaughn flied out to conclude the game that sealed their place in baseball history, the realization of historic futility hit hard. Sheets articulated the emotional toll, describing his intense frustration upon realizing they would bear the burden of being the worst team in modern baseball history.

With two games remaining in the season, the White Sox have the opportunity to tighten their grip on what could become an unbreakable record for losses. However, the silver lining for fans and players alike is that this long and exhausting season is almost over.

What does the future hold for the beleaguered franchise? Can they rebuild, and will the ownership shakeup be on the horizon? Only time will tell as the White Sox look to recover from this historic low.