Memorable Losing Streaks

SI Staff | Aug 27, 2011

Memorable Losing Streaks

Seattle Mariners

AP

The Mariners lost a franchise-record 17 consecutive games between July 6-26, finally ending the streak with 17 hits and Felix Hernandez on the mound in a 9-2 win at Yankee Stadium. Here are some other memorable losing streaks.

Tulsa Shock

Elaine Thompson/AP

The Shock ended the longest losing streak in WNBA history when out-of-retirement Sheryl Swoopes, 40, hit a jumper with 2.9 seconds left to beat the Sparks 77-75 on Aug. 27, 2011. It improved their record to 2-25.

Chicago Cubs

Tannen Maury/EPA /Landov

The Cubs last won a World Series in 1908. Their 102-year championship drought is longer than that of any other major North American professional sports team.

New Jersey Nets

Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images, Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

The Nets tied the NBA record with an 0-17 start to the 2009-10 season, costing coach Lawrence Frank his job. They matched the 1988-89 Miami Heat and the 1999 Los Angeles Clippers in hoops futility.

Detroit Lions

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

When quarterback Dan Orlovsky and the Lions lost 31-21 to the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 28, 2008, it made Detroit the first NFL team to ever go 0-16. The team had lost their final game of 2007 and first two games in 2009, putting their losing streak at 19 games.

Boston Celtics

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

The 2006-07 Celtics lost a franchise-record 18 consecutive games before a Valentine's Day victory.

Caltech basketball

AP

Caltech lost 207 consecutive games to NCAA Division III opponents between 1996 and January 2007. Rutgers-Camden had 117 consecutive losses from 1992 to 1997.

Vince Spadea

AP

His 21-match losing streak, which ended in 2000, is believed to be the longest in pro tennis history.

Chip Beck

AP

Beck had four victories on the PGA Tour (1988-92) and twenty runner-up finishes, but missed 46 consecutive PGA Tour cuts from 1997-98.

Prairie View University

AP

The Texas school lost 80 consecutive games between 1989-98, almost doubling Columbia University's 44 straight losses between 1983-88.

Vancouver Grizzlies

Robert Beck/SI

The Grizzlies dropped 23 straight in 1996, the most in NBA history over one season. The Denver Nuggets equalled the mark with 23 straight losses between Dec. 9, 1997, and Jan. 23, 1998.

Buffalo Bills

John Iacono/SI

The Bills lost in four consecutive Super Bowls, their first to the New York Giants, a 20-19 loss in Jan. 27, 1991.

Anthony Young

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The Mets pitcher dropped 27 in a row before ending the streak in July 1993.

Ottawa Senators

AP

The Sens lost 38 in a row on the road during their inaugural season (1992-93).

San Jose Sharks

AP

The Sharks lost 17 in a row between Jan. 4 and Feb. 12 in 1993, tying the NHL all-time record set by the Capitals in 1975.

Baltimore Orioles

Jerry Wachter/SI

The O's opened the 1988 season 0-21, an AL record for consecutive losses.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Andy Jacobs/NBAE/Getty Images

The Cavs lost 24 in a row spanning two seasons, from the end of the 1981-1982 season through the first five games of the 1982-83 season.

Northwestern University

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

The Wildcats dropped 34 straight between 1979 and 1982.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Manny Rubio/WireImage.com

The Bucs lost their first 26 games, beginning with an 0-14 campaign in 1976 and followed by an 0-12 start in 1977.

Philadelphia Phillies

Art Rickerby/SI

The Phillies set the modern major-league record for consecutive losses with 23 in 1961.