Inside The Orioles

Historically Bad Baltimore Orioles Team Finally Has New Company

The infamous 1988 Baltimore Orioles finally have some new company in the record books.

Tyler Maher

Jul 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Dominic Fletcher cannot catch a ball.
Jul 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Dominic Fletcher cannot catch a ball. / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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The 1988 Baltimore Orioles are one of the most famous teams in baseball history, but not in a good way.

Despite having star players like Cal Ripken Jr., Eddie Murray and Fred Lynn on the roster, the Orioles somehow managed to lose their first 21 games of the season -- the worst start in modern MLB history. Manager Cal Ripken Sr. was fired after just six games, but the losing streak continued for another 15 games under new manager Frank Robinson.

Baltimore didn't win its first game of the year until April 29, beating the Chicago White Sox 9-0.

Now, 36 years later, the White Sox and 1988 Orioles are once again intertwined.

Chicago suffered its 21st straight loss on Monday, falling 5-1 to the Oakland Athletics. The White Sox are now tied with Baltimore for the longest losing streak in American League history and second-longest in MLB history, behind only the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies (23 games).

The White Sox's streak isn't surprising as their roster is woefully short on talent, especially following their trade deadline fire sale.

Tommy Pham was the only everyday player with an OPS+ over 100 (101), and he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. Chicago also traded their leading home run hitter (Paul DeJong) and former Silver Slugger winner Eloy Jimenez, further depleting the lineup.

The pitching staff has been gutted as well.

Erick Fedde was also sent to the Cardinals, while top relievers Michael Kopech and Tanner Banks were dealt as well.

The White Sox were already bad, and now they've been stripped of what little talent they did have. Beyond Garrett Crochet, there's not many skilled ballplayers left on the South Side.

Chicago is now 27-88 and hasn't won a game after the All-Star Break, getting swept in six straight series. They will try to avoid breaking Baltimore's ignominious AL record against the A's on Tuesday.

Normally, an August game between two last-place teams wouldn't mean anything, but now there's history on the line.

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Tyler Maher
TYLER MAHER

Tyler grew up in Massachusetts and is a huge Boston sports fan, especially the Red Sox. He went to Tufts University and played club baseball for the Jumbos. Since graduating, he has worked for MLB.com, The Game Day, FanDuel and Forbes. When he's not writing about baseball, he enjoys running, traveling, and playing fetch with his golden retriever.

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