Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics Make Dubious Baseball History as Losses Mount

With both the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals already having 50 losses this season, this is the earliest in a season that baseball has ever had two teams reach the 50-loss threshold.

Not all history is good history.

Such is the case for the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland Athletics, who have both reached the 50-loss threshold on the season.

Per @OptaSTATS on Twitter:

With the Royals losing their 50th game last night, this is the earliest into an MLB season that multiple teams reached 50 losses (also Athletics). 

The previous earliest was June 18th, which happened in 2003 (Padres & Tigers) and 2018 (Orioles & Royals).

With the Royals losing their 50th game last night, this is the earliest into an MLB season that multiple teams reached 50 losses (also Athletics).

The previous earliest was June 18th, which happened in 2003 (Padres & Tigers) and 2018 (Orioles & Royals). pic.twitter.com/I1IrZePzLm

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) June 15, 2023

It's been a dreadful year for both franchises, who are mired in a different set of issues.

First off, the Athletics are 19-51 on the season (though they've won seven of their last eight games). The team is in the middle of a probable relocation to Las Vegas and has traded away several prominent players in the last few years, contributing to the futility of this season. 

The fanbase recently protested the ownership of John Fisher with a "reverse boycott" night, that was a great success to many.

As for the Royals, their rebuild hasn't gone as well as hoped. While youngster Bobby Witt Jr. has panned out, the team has now lost young slugger Vinnie Pasquantino for the season with injury.

The Royals are 18-50 and have lost nine consecutive games.

Neither team can pitch, as the Royals are 29th in team ERA at 5.20 while the A's are a full run worse at 6.24.

It's too bad to see two proud franchises toiling in such futility. The A's are playing the Rays on Thursday afternoon while the Royals play Friday against the Angels.

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