The Chicago White Sox were shut out in their season opener. And the losses kept coming. The Sox finished 2024 with the record for the most losses in a season during Major League Baseball’s modern era, going 41-121. They surpassed the previous mark of 40-120 held by the 1962 expansion New York Mets.   And they lost in every fashion. Here’s a loss-by-loss look at the 2024 season for the White Sox. 121 for the books: White Sox set the modern MLB record for most losses in a season Column: The 2024 White Sox are the worst team in MLB history, a record in futility that was well-earned Column: How did the White Sox fall to such depths? Gradually — and then suddenly. ‘The whole thing is too bad’: 1962 New York Mets pitcher Jay Hook feels the White Sox’s pain as they near loss record Column: Jerry Reinsdorf concedes the obvious — it’s a ‘very painful’ season for White Sox fans White Sox are not alone in their losing. Disappointment is a common theme throughout Chicago’s sports history. The magic number is 120, but White Sox fans will tell you it’s just a number Column: The 2024 White Sox — while not as beloved as the 1962 Mets — have had as many ridiculous moments 0-1: March 28 — Tigers 1, Sox 0 Fans take in the action as Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet delivers to the Tigers in the first inning on opening day at Guaranteed Rate Field on March 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) The Sox were limited to 3 hits in their home opener: singles by Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Vaughn and Eloy Jiménez. Garret Crochet was poised and in command in his first major-league start, allowing one run on five hits with eight strikeouts and no walks in six innings. “Pitchers did a phenomenal job and we played really good defense,” Vaughn said. “The bats just didn’t get going today.” 0-2: March 30 — Tigers 7, Sox 6 (10 inn.) The Sox led 6-4 after six innings, but Carson Kelly drove in the tying run with a single in the seventh and the go-ahead run with a single in the 10th. “It’s been two games, but these are two games we could win and we have to find ways to do that,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “And we will.” 0-3: March 31 — Tigers 3, Sox 2 Another late, one-run loss as Andy Ibáñez gave the Tigers the lead with an RBI single in the ninth. The Tigers swept the Sox in the three-game series, winning each game by one run. “These are heartbreakers,” Grifol said. “Three one-run games. Could have gone our way. Didn’t go our way.” 0-4: April 1 — Braves 9, Sox 0 (8 inn.) The Sox were held to three hits — two by Yoán Moncada. They are 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position to begin the season. “We have to continue to work on that, continue to work to put balls in play when we’ve got runners in scoring position,” Grifol said. “We’ll get better at it.” 1-5: April 4 — Royals 10, Sox 1 The Royals scored eight runs in the seventh inning as the Sox walked three batters, gave up three singles, made an error that brought home three runs and surrendered a two-run homer. It turned a one-run deficit into a nine-run hole for the Sox. “Just one inning of baseball that got away from us,” Grifol said. 1-6: April 5 — Royals 2, Sox 1 On the same day Jiménez went on the IL with a left adductor strain for an injury suffered March 31, Robert exited in the ninth inning with a right hip flexor strain. 1-7: April 6 — Royals 3, Sox 0 Lenyn Sosa singled while Martín Maldonado and Paul DeJong doubled for the team’s only hits. 1-8: April 7 — Royals 5, Sox 3 The Royals hit two two-run homers to complete a four-game sweep. “I think the guys are starting to realize we are not playing good enough ball and I think that guys are starting to get pissed,” said Crochet, who allowed two runs on three hits with five strikeouts and no walks in five innings. “We should have brought that game home,” Grifol said. 1-9: April 8 — Guardians 4, Sox 0 The Sox had four hits while being shut out for the fourth time in their first 10 games. There was a total solar eclipse before the game in Cleveland. When the game began, the disappearing act continued for the Sox offensively. “The record’s not good, you can’t hide from the record, it’s not good,” Grifol said. “But how are you not going to stay in a good place mentally when you’ve got 152 games left? If we’re going to let the record beat us down, it’s going to be a long year. But I’m not there.” 2-10: April 10 — Guardians 7, Sox 6 (10 inn.) The Sox saw a five-run lead slip away on the day the Sox placed Moncada on the IL with a left adductor strain. He wouldn’t return until September. The Sox had leadoff doubles in the eighth and ninth but failed to score; they went 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position. 2-11: April 12 — Reds 11, Sox 1 White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen stands on the mound as the Reds’ Tyler Stephenson rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago on April 12, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) The Reds scored five in the third to bury the Sox early and Reds pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts. “Like most people, you’d like to win ballgames, so it’s disappointing when we don’t get wins,” GM Chris Getz said before the loss. “But from a big-picture standpoint, I want to feel like we’re on the right track, and that gives me plenty of confidence and calms me through the ups and downs that can be given to you during the baseball season.” Sox pitchers issued nine walks and threw only 114 strikes out of 201 pitches. And six hitters in the starting lineup finished the day at .200 or under. “Just a bad day,” Grifol said. “Nothing to report.” 2-12: April 13 — Reds 5, Sox 0 Robbie Grossman and Kevin Pillar had the only two hits for the Sox. The Sox have lost eight of nine and at 2-12 matched the 1968 team for the worst 14-game start in franchise history. “For us right now, just a tough skid,” Crochet said. 2-13: April 14 — Reds 11, Sox 4 The Sox were outscored 27-5 while getting swept in the three-game series. “Look, we’re getting punched in the gut right now,” Grifol said. “This is how you find out what we’re made of as a group.” 2-14: April 15 — Royals 2, Sox 0 Andrew Benintendi had two of the team’s four hits as the Sox were blanked for a major-league-leading sixth time this season. 2-15: April 17 — Royals 4, Sox 2 Salvador Perez hit a go-ahead two-run homer with two outs in the eighth for the Royals off reliever Michael Kopech; it was the first game of a doubleheader. 3-16: April 19 — Phillies 7, Sox 0 The Sox didn’t collect their first hit until the seventh, a single with one out by Gavin Sheets. It was the seventh time they were shut out this season. They entered the game last in the majors in several categories, including runs (38), home runs (10), on-base percentage (.269), slugging (.302) and OPS (.571). They were 29th in the majors with a .196 average. 3-17: April 20 — Phillies 9, Sox 5 The Sox didn’t collect their first hit until the eighth, a single with one out by Korey Lee. “We just strung some good (at-bats) together,” Grifol said. “It’s going to happen at some point — these guys have a track record and at some point they’re going to figure this thing out as a team, not as individuals. This team will click offensively at some point.” 3-18: April 21 — Phillies 8, Sox 2 The Sox were outscored 24-7 while getting swept in the three-game series. Their 3-18 record is the franchise’s worst 21-game start in history. The Sox are 1-9 on the road. “We’ve got to win with pitching and defense right now until the hitting gets going,” Grifol said. “And if we’re not doing that, we’re going to struggle.” 3-19: April 22 — Twins 7, Sox 0 White Sox manager Pedro Grifol argues with umpire Mike Estabrook in the eighth inning against the Twins at Target Field. Grifol was ejected from the game. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) The Sox left nine on base while being shut out for the eighth time —the most in American League/National League history (1901-present) through the first 22 games of a season. “We can’t deny what’s happening. Our record sucks,” Grifol said. “But what are you going to do about it? We have to come out tomorrow and get ready to play. You have to forget about today. You have to. Learn and move on.” 3-20: April 23 — Twins 6, Sox 5 The Sox had a three-run lead, but Byron Buxton tied it with a home run in the ninth and then Alex Kirilloff won it with a single later in the inning. “We’ve got to win games, man — bottom line,” Grifol said. “We took a 5-2 lead, we had a full bullpen. We were in a good spot. Just didn’t close it out.” 3-21: April 24 — Twins 6, Sox 3 Willi Castro hit a three-run homer during a four-run second for the Twins. The Sox were limited to four hits. The loss dropped the Sox to 1-12 on the road — the worst start in franchise history. 3-22: April 25 — Twins 6, Sox 3 The Sox surrendered five solo home runs. The Sox were a whopping 19-games under .500 less than one month into the season and 15 games behind the first-place Guardians in the American League Central. Before the game, Grifol addressed his job security, saying: “I can only control the things I can control — that to me is coming to the ballpark, preparing this club to play a game and win a game. “I can tell you I’ve had conversations, good conversations with (general manager) Chris (Getz), and I’ve had conversations with (Chairman) Jerry (Reinsdorf), not about my job or job security or anything like that. There’s always good communication going on. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I’m oblivious to our record and oblivious to things, because I’m not.” 6-23: April 29 — Twins 3, Sox 2 A three-game winning streak ended as Max Kepler drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the ninth. “This one hurt,” Grifol said. 6-24: April 30 — Twins 6, Sox 5 Kepler did it again in the ninth for the Twins, bringing home the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. Close losses have been an early theme for the Sox, who are 3-8 in one-run games. “Another heartbreaker,” Grifol said. “We have to find a way to win these ballgames.” 6-25: May 1 — Twins 10, Sox 5 Braden Shewmake jumps over Gavin Sheets during the ninth inning against the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 1, 2024. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) The Twins scored eight runs in the last four innings to complete a three-game sweep. The Sox issued seven walks — part of their AL-leading 126 walks tally so far this season. “There’s no margin for error,” Grifol said. “Championship teams don’t care about those margins, they just get it done and find a way to get it done. 6-26: May 3 — Cardinals 3, Sox 0 Vaughn doubled while Nicky Lopez and Maldonado singled for the team’s three hits. It was the Sox’s 9th shutout. The Sox are 1-14 in away games, tied for the worst road start in the modern era (since 1901). 8-27: May 6 — Rays 8, Sox 2 Mike Clevinger walked four and allowed three earned runs in two-plus innings during his season debut. “It’s his first outing — it’s tough to do what he did, sign late, speed it up,” Grifol said. “We needed him here, he felt good, he looked good. But he had to work in that first inning a ton. We needed a clean inning somewhere and we just didn’t get it.” 8-28: May 7 — Rays 5, Sox 1 The team’s lone run came in the seventh on a homer by DeJong. The Sox went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base. 12-29: May 12 — Guardians 7, Sox 0 A season-high four-game winning streak ends as the Sox go 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They are on pace to be shut out 39 times this season; the major-league record is 33 by the 1908 Cardinals. 12-30: May 14 — Nationals 6, Sox 3 White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen heads to the dugout after the first inning against the Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 14, 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) The Nationals scored three in the eighth to win Game 1 of a doubleheader. Starter Chris Flexen allowed three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 4 2/3 innings, while Eloy Jiménez hit a solo home run. 14-31: May 17 — Yankees 4, Sox 2 Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton hit solo homers to power the Yankees. Clevinger felt “really strong” in the first three innings, but then “hit a little wall in the fourth again. That’s kind of been kryptonite.” He is 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA in his three starts. 14-32: May 18 — Yankees 6, Sox 1 Juan Soto homered twice, a preview of things to come against the Sox. Soto’s first homer — which went 412 feet and had an exit velocity of 112.5 mph — came during a two-run first for the Yankees. He homered again leading off the fifth. That solo blast went 437 feet and had an exit velocity of 110.5 mph. The Sox struck out a season-high 16 times. “We’ve just got to do a better job of putting the ball in play and making them make plays,” Grifol said. 14-33: May 19 — Yankees 7, Sox 2 Former Sox pitcher Carlos Rodón allowed two runs in six innings as the Sox were swept in the three-game series. “Missed opportunities and home runs got us,” Grifol said. 14-34: May 20 — Blue Jays 9, Sox 3 The Sox fell 20 games under .500, as Erick Fedde allowed five runs in six innings. He described the outing in which he allowed five runs — matching a season high — in six innings as “not my best.” 15-35: May 22 —Blue Jays 9, Sox 2 The Blue Jays scored seven two-out runs in the second inning. “Definitely not the way you map that one out,” starter Nick Nastrini said. “I wasn’t really getting ahead with my fastball, and being in the zone with my offspeed. When you rely on that and they pick up on that they’re going to get timely hits. That’s what happened.” 15-36: May 23 — Orioles 8, Sox 6 Vaughn was called for interference after making brief contact with shortstop Gunnar Henderson on a popup for a game-ending double play. “They called the rule correctly,” Grifol said of the umps. “They called the play correctly based on the rules. I just don’t like the rule. No game should end like that. That’s just my opinion. The whole rule, they need to take a look at that rule and maybe rewrite it.” 15-37: May 24 — Orioles 6, Sox 4 Adley Rutschman’s two-run single in the eighth off Kopech served as the difference. “Kopech against Rutschman is what people pay to see,” Grifol said. “Kopech threw the ball well and Rutschman did a good piece of hitting.” 15-38: May 25 — Orioles 5, Sox 3 The Orioles hit three home runs during a five-run eighth inning. “Tough loss,” Grifol said. “That one hurt. They all hurt, but this one really hurt.” 15-39: May 26 — Orioles 4, Sox 1 After the game in which the Sox were limited to one hit, Grifol praised Crochet’s start, but added, “most of the other guys were f−−−−−− flat.” 15-40: May 27 — Blue Jays 5, Sox 1 Corey Julks, left, and Paul DeJong of the White Sox react after the eighth inning against the Blue Jays on May 27, 2024, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) The Sox collected 10 hits, but went just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. It marked the eighth time they were swept in a series this season. “I’m doubling down on what I said yesterday — I thought we were flat,” Grifol said before the game. “(The players) have their opinions. I have mine. This is not divided by any means. This is not them against Pedro, Pedro against them. It’s just a situation, I thought we were flat. They didn’t think we were flat. It’s over. We’ve got to go out there and play baseball.” 15-41: May 28 — Blue Jays 7, Sox 2 Jake Woodford allowed three runs in 4 ⅓ innings after being called up from Triple-A when Clevinger went on IL. “Any time you give up eight free passes and 13 hits, you’re going to have a tough night,” Grifol said. “It stayed clean and clear until the eighth when we gave up those three runs. Walks today got us.” 15-42: May 29 — Blue Jays 3, Sox 1 The Sox avoided being blanked when Korey Lee homered with two outs in the ninth. It marked the first time in franchise history the Sox went 0-7 on a homestand. “Fifteen and 40-whatever is tough,” Grifol said. “I don’t break it down that much to 0-7, the first one in history. I don’t break it down that much. I just break it down that today we didn’t win a baseball game, and we had a chance to win and we didn’t get it done. As far as the statistics and the history of this team and what we’re doing, I’m not really focused on that.” 15-43: May 31 — Brewers 12, Sox 5 The Sox led by a run going into the seventh, but the Brewers scored six in the inning. Christian Yelich had five hits of Milwaukee’s 23 hits. “It was like they found every hole,” Sox third baseman Danny Mendick said. 15-44: June 1 — Brewers 4, Sox 3 (10 inn.) The Sox led by two runs going into the seventh. But the Brewers scored twice in that inning and won in the 10th on a walk-off infield single by Willy Adames. “We’re all playing hard and we’re all grinding through it together, right now the ball’s just not falling our way,” Crochet said. 15-45: June 2 — Brewers 6, Sox 3 Tommy Pham provided one of the quotes of the year, which included, “I’m going to the dugout and I hear the tough guy with all the hoo-rah s−−−,” while explaining a dust up at the plate after being thrown out trying to score on a sacrifice fly. He continued: “So I’ll never start anything but I’ll be prepared to finish it. There’s a reason why I do all kinds of fighting in the offseason because I’m prepared to f−−− somebody up. So you can take it at what it is.” 15-46: June 4 — Cubs 7, Sox 6 White Sox base runner Duke Ellis walks to the dugout after being picked off of second base in the ninth inning against the Cubs on June 4, 2024, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Robert homered in his return from the IL, but the Cubs scored twice in the eighth. An opportunity in the ninth vanished when pinch runner Duke Ellis got picked off second. “He was put there to do exactly what he did, and he got picked off,” Grifol said of Ellis, who made his major-league debut. “It’s not a big deal. That’s not what won us or lost us the game. This one got away.” 15-47: June 5 — Cubs 7, Sox 6 Mike Tauchman hit a walk-off home run against  Kopech in the ninth, the 13th straight loss for the Sox. “They are all tough (losses), but obviously this is a rivalry,” Grifol said. “And to take a 5-0 lead (Tuesday) and a 5-1 lead (Wednesday) and not be able to finish it is frustrating. But there’s no way in hell there’s blame to anybody here, especially when we are all giving the effort that this clubhouse is giving every single day to win baseball games.” 15-48: June 6 — Red Sox 14, White Sox 2 The White Sox surrendered 24 hits while losing their 14th consecutive game. The 14 runs and 24 hits allowed were both season highs for the White Sox. It’s the second time in six games they allowed at least 20 hits. “Not a good one today, obviously,” Grifol said. “We just got down early. They came out swinging it. These games happen. And it happened to us today.” 17-49: June 9 — Red Sox 6, White Sox 4 (10 inn.) After winning two straight, the White Sox dropped the finale of the four-game series. Boston tied it with a run in the ninth and went ahead for good with two in the 10th. It was their 23rd loss after leading this season. 17-50: June 10 — Mariners 8, Sox 4 Mariners’ Cal Raleigh celebrates his walk-off grand slam to beat the White Sox at T-Mobile Park on June 10, 2024 in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Cal Raleigh hit a walk-off grand slam in the ninth to stun the Sox, who led 4-0 heading to the bottom of the eighth. The Sox became the first team in the majors to lose 50 games this season. “That one hurts, for multiple reasons,” Kopech said. “To be blunt, (Erick) Fedde pitched his ass off and I kind of gave away a really well-played game by us.” 17-51: June 11 — Mariners 4, Sox 3 Raleigh put the Mariners ahead with a two-run double in the seventh. Drew Thorpe impressed in his big-league debut, allowing one earned run in five innings. He left with the lead but did not factor in the decision in the loss. 17-52: June 12 — Mariners 2, Sox 1 (10 inn.) Robert tied it with a home run in the ninth. But the Mariners won in walk-off fashion again, with an RBI single by Mitch Haniger in the 10th. “Great baseball game, we just came up on the wrong end of it,” Grifol said after the Sox’s 22nd loss in their last 25 games. 18-53: June 14 — Diamondbacks 7, Sox 1 The Diamondbacks scored the game’s final seven runs — the 26th time the Sox lost after being ahead. “There’s going to be games like this,” Grifol said. 19-54: June 16 — Diamondbacks 12, Sox 5 Thorpe allowed seven earned runs in 3 ⅓ innings. “I beat myself, right. Five walks, that’s not how I am,” Thorpe said. “The only thing you can do is flush it and get to the next one and that’s what I’m going to do.” 20-55: June 19 — Astros 4, Sox 1 The lone Sox run came in the fourth on a Benintendi homer. The Sox went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and fell their worst 75-game start in franchise history (previously 25-50 by the 1929, 1934, 1948 and 2018 clubs). 20-56: June 20 — Astros 5, Sox 3 Houston scored four in the seventh to rally past the Sox. The Sox haven’t won a series since taking two of three against the Nationals on May 14 (doubleheader) and 15 at home. They are 0-9-1 in their last 10 series and have won just four all season. “We let one slip away today, “Grifol said. 20-57: June 21 — Tigers 2, Sox 1 White Sox shortstop Paul DeJong reacts after being doubled off first base for the final out of the game on a flyout by Andrew Benintendi against the Tigers on June 21, 2024, at Comerica Park. (Duane Burleson/Getty) DeJong lost track of the outs and got doubled off first on a liner to center field to end the game. “Just a mental lapse there,” DeJong said. “I’m worried about getting on base and just didn’t keep track of (the outs). That’s totally on me and cost us the game. Feels pretty bad, but try to do better next time. That’s all I can say.” 21-58: June 23 — Tigers 11, Sox 2 Detroit scored five in the first and four more in the second. Jonathan Cannon gave up eight runs — five earned — on seven hits in 42 pitchers over one-plus innings. 21-59: June 24 — Dodgers 3, Sox 0 Pham had two of the team’s five hits as the Sox got shut out for the 11th time this season. 21-60: June 25 — Dodgers 4, Sox 3 Shohei Ohtani homered in the first and drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the fourth. 21-61: June 26 — Dodgers 4, Sox 0 The Sox were blanked for the second time in three days, collecting four hits. They hosted their first Mexican Heritage Night, resulting in the first weekday sellout since 2012 for a game that wasn’t the home opener or against the Cubs. Grifol referred to the crowd as “phenomenal.” “We just couldn’t take advantage of it,” he said. 24-62: June 30 — Rockies 5, Sox 4 (14 inn.) A three-game winning streak ended in the longest Sox game in terms of innings since 2019. The White Sox mounted rallies in the 10th and 13th innings, but went down in order in the 14th. “It sucks to end up on the wrong side of a marathon like that,” Grifol said. 24-63: July 2 — Guardians 7, Sox 6 Andrés Giménez scored without a throw to the plate on Bo Naylor’s ninth-inning sacrifice fly to center. The Sox fell to 7-17 in one-run games. “It’s just a bunch of little things today cost us the ballgame,” Grifol said. 25-64: July 4 — Guardians 8, Sox 4 Tommy Pham reacts after striking out to end the top of the 7th inning against the Guardians at Progressive Field on July 4, 2024, in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images) The Sox never recovered after a four-run third for the Guardians. It was their 9th consecutive road series loss. The Sox last won a series away from Guaranteed Rate Field on May 3-5 in St. Louis. 26-65: July 6 — Marlins 4, Sox 3 The Marlins got to the bullpen late, as Dane Myers hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the seventh against reliever Michael Soroka. “Winnable game, we lost it,” Grifol said. “Got to come back at them tomorrow.” 26-66: July 7 — Marlins 7, Sox 4 Former Sox infielder Jake Burger hit a walk-off, three-run homer off Kopech to cap a four-run ninth for the Marlins. The Sox were three outs away from their first road series win since early May. “We need to turn it around and see if we can be on the other end of that, which we haven’t that much,” Grifol said. 26-67: July 8 — Twins 8, Sox 6 (11 inn.) Lopez tied it with a two-out RBI double in the eighth, but the Sox couldn’t complete the comeback. They squandered a solid outing by Flexen — two runs in six innings — and dropped to 3-7 in extra innings. “What is it, 67 games that we’ve lost, and a lot of them are probably close to being one-run (8-18 record), two-run (6-11) games. It’s tough,” Lopez said. “You think half of those go your way and we’re thinking a little bit different.” 27-68: July 10 — Twins 3, Sox 2 The AL-tying 21-game losing streak started by dropping Game 2 of a doubleheader as the Sox squandered a two-run lead. The Sox were limited to four hits in the nightcap and had a combined eight hits on the day. 27-69: July 12 — Pirates 4, Sox 1 White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet heads to the bullpen to warm up for a game against the Pirates at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 12, 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) With the Sox monitoring his workload, Crochet struck out four in his two innings. Crochet has a 3.02 ERA and 150 strikeouts at the break. He became just the third Sox pitcher with at least 150 strikeouts before the break, joining Chris Sale (157 in 2015) and Dylan Cease (150 in 2022). 27-70: July 13 — Pirates 6, Sox 2 Bryan Reynolds had four hits and four RBIs for the Pirates. “You can’t hide what everybody can see,” Robert said. “It is what it is. We have to keep working hard to try to get a better second half.” “It’s another game we had an opportunity to get this one,” Grifol said. “We let it slip away.” 27-71: July 14 — Pirates 9, Sox 4 The Sox wrapped up the first half with the most losses at the All-Star break in MLB history. “I think this is a much-needed break for everybody,” Benintendi said. “Just get away and get your mind off it for a little bit. It’s not the first half we wanted, but we’ve just got to keep showing up, playing hard.” Chicago White Sox at the All-Star break: A look at the highs — and mostly lows — of the season so far 27-72: July 19 — Royals 7, Sox 1 Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits, including a home run as the Sox returned from the All-Star break with another loss. The Royals took advantage of four walks — one intentional — during a five-run fifth. Flexen allowed seven runs on four hits with five walks and four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings as the Sox lost their fifth straight. 27-73: July 20 — Royals 6, Sox 1 Witt continued to be a pain for the Sox, collecting three more hits. Game No. 100 highlighted some of the year-long situations that have not gone the team’s way. They are the 14th team in Major League Baseball history with 73-plus losses in the first 100 games of a season. 27-74: July 21 — Royals 4, Sox 1 The Royals used a three-run eighth to complete the sweep. The Sox were outscored 17-3 in the series. It was the 14th time the Sox were swept in a series as they fell to a season-high 47 games under .500. 27-75: July 22 — Rangers 4, Sox 3 (10 inn.) The Rangers tied it with two outs in the ninth and won it an inning later. The Sox became the 12th team in major-league history to lose 75-plus times in the first 102 games. “That was a gut punch,” Grifol said of the defeat. 27-76: July 23 — Rangers 3, Sox 2 The Rangers scored twice in the first, including swiping home as part of a double steal. Grifol said if he had to do it over again, the Sox would have instructed Lee to hold on to the ball. 27-77: July 24 — Rangers 10, Sox 2 Corey Seager homered as part of a four-hit night in the White Sox’s 10th straight loss. “It has been very hard for everybody, players and the coaches as well,” Robert said. “It is something nobody wants to pass through, but unfortunately it’s where we’re at.” 27-78: July 25 — Rangers 2, Sox 1 Jonathan Cannon and catcher Korey Lee talk on the mound as pitching coach Ethan Katz walks out during the third inning against the Rangers at Globe Life Field on July 25, 2024. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) The Sox struck out 12 times and 49 times overall while being swept in the four-game series. They are a season-worst 51 games under .500. It’s the first time the Sox have reached that mark since they were 50-101 on Oct. 2, 1948. “It’s pretty grueling with how some of these games have ended,” GM Chris Getz said. “There have been positive takeaways with some performances, mainly on the starting pitching front. And the pitching front in general. There have also been some success stories on the position-player front. Yes, overall very frustrating, but I have to take a step back.” 27-79: July 26 — Mariners 10, Sox 0 Thorpe allowed eight runs — including three consecutive home runs — in two-thirds of an inning. “You can’t let it snowball like that,” he said. “One or two or three or four is fine. Just got to be able to get out of the first inning and try and give some length to save the bullpen. It’s frustrating.” The Sox lost their 12th straight and were shut out for the 13th time this season. 27-80: July 27 — Mariners 6, Sox 3 Fedde allowed three runs in four innings during his final start with the Sox before being traded to the Cardinals on July 29. “It sucks,” he said. “There’s just times when it feels like nothing’s going your way or you just haven’t put a game together where you pitch well or hit well at the same time.” 27-81: July 28 — Mariners 6, Sox 3 The Sox matched a franchise record they would blow by, falling 54 games under .500. They were also swept for the 16th time. “Tough,” Crochet said of the slide. “We’re competing. We’re just not winning. There’s really nothing to be said about it. It sucks. It’s terrible. Everyone in the clubhouse, we’re all pretty let down with how we’ve been playing throughout the season. But when you have stretches like this, yeah, it sucks.” 27-82: July 29 — Royals 8, Sox 5 Chris Flexen #77 of the Chicago White Sox reacts after the single by Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals during the third inning of a game at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 29, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) The Sox surrendered six runs in the eighth inning on the way to a single-season franchise-record 15th consecutive loss. Witt — who went 4 for 5 — hit a grand slam to give the Royals the lead. “If we won 20 straight and then lost one, that one loss is still a bummer,” reliever John Brebbia said. “You never like to lose regardless of how many you have or have not won or lost. Nobody wants to lose 15 straight. “I stopped counting because every time we go on the field, we try to do the same thing. We try to hit the ball hard, throw the ball and get guys out. Try to make plays. You never want to have a losing streak, but you focus on it too much and it can snowball on itself.” 27-83: July 30 — Royals 4, Sox 3 The Sox gave up three in the eighth to falter late again. The 16-game losing streak is the longest in the majors since the 2021 Diamondbacks (17) and Orioles (19). The Sox are just the third team in major-league history to lose 83-plus times in the first 110 games of a season, and first since the 1932 Red Sox (27-83) and 1916 Philadelphia A’s (23-86). 27-84: July 31 — Royals 10, Sox 3 The Sox had four hits in a three-run second inning, but just two the rest of the way. The Royals collected 16 hits, completing a three-game sweep. “I can’t ask them to do anything more than they’re doing,” Grifol said of the 17-game losing streak. “They’re giving it their very best. I’m looking in that dugout and I see guys fighting, they get here early, they work, they prepare, see video, gameplan. I don’t see anybody not giving his very best. “We’re in the middle of the freaking eye of the storm here.” 27-85: Aug. 2 — Twins 10, Sox 2 The Twins hit three two-run home runs. The Sox were limited to three hits; one batter reached base in the final four innings, a seventh-inning walk by Benintendi. 27-86: Aug. 3 — Twins 6, Sox 2 The Sox had three hits, two by Lee. With a 19th straight loss, the Sox joined the 2021 Orioles, 2005 Royals and 1975 Tigers for the fourth-longest skid in Major League Baseball since 1950. The Phillies lost 23 straight in 1961, the Orioles lost 21 straight in 1988 and the Expos lost 20 straight in 1969. “It can’t go on forever, you know,” Crochet said. “I feel like, showing up to the field we’re expecting to break the streak and it’s just like, f−−−, tough loss, you know?” 27-87: Aug. 4 — Twins 13, Sox 7 Andrew Vaughn looks on against the Twins in the 9th inning at Target Field on Aug. 4, 2024. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) The Sox trailed by eight runs after two innings while the losing streak reached 20. “Running out of words for it,” Flexen said of the losing streak. “It’s the thing we keep bringing up every day after another tough loss, but we’ve just got to find a way to pull forward and plug through.” Grifol said there were two ways to approach the predicament: “Put your head down and quit, or head up high, chest out and get back after it tomorrow the way we’re supposed to.” 27-88: Aug. 5 — A’s 5, Sox 1 The Sox matched the AL record with their 21st consecutive loss. “Everybody knows what it is. It’s 21 in a row — it sucks, it’s not fun, it’s painful, it hurts,” Grifol said. “No one wants to lose,” said Benintendi, who went 1-for-3 with one RBI. “Pissed about one loss, let alone 21.” From No. 1 to 21: A closer look at the Chicago White Sox’s American League record-tying losing streak 28-89: Aug. 7 — A’s 3, Sox 2 A day after ending the skid, the Sox squandered a late two-run lead in what would be Grifol’s final game as the team’s manager. The Sox went 89-190 under Grifol in his one-plus season on the job. “We knew this season was going to have its struggles based on the roster that we had,” Getz said. “As time went on and we were learning more about what the needs are of this organization and where the direction we want to head, it became clearer and clearer that it was time for a change.” 28-90: Aug. 9 — Cubs 7, Sox 6 Benintendi homered twice, but the Sox couldn’t complete the comeback in Grady Sizemore’s debut as interim manager. “I don’t want to try to downplay the loss or anything, but I was really happy with the effort and the way the guys fought, played together and just the energy they brought,” Sizemore said. 28-91: Aug. 10 — Cubs 3, Sox 1 The Cubs pulled ahead on a two-run single by Miguel Amaya in the eighth. The Sox, who struck out 13 times, are 63 games under .500 for the first time in franchise history. 29-92: Aug. 13 — Yankees 4, Sox 1 Soto homered three times as the Yankees avenged a stunning 12-2 loss the previous night. These home runs were the first Soto has hit at Guaranteed Rate Field in his career and doubled the total number of home runs he has against White Sox pitchers. 29-93: Aug. 14 — Yankees 10, Sox 2 Yankees’ Aaron Judge is doused by his teammates after he hit his 300th career home run, the fastest player to do so in MLB history against the White Sox on Aug. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) Judge hit the 300th homer of his career, and Soto homered again. The Sox intentionally walked Soto to face Judge before the 300th home run, a moment Sizemore would later say was “really it’s just pick your poison.” 30-94: Aug. 17 — Astros 6, Sox 1 The Sox had more errors (two) than runs in a game remembered for a lack of crispness. The Sox were mathematically eliminated from all playoff contention with the loss. “The ball just didn’t go our way tonight,” Sizemore said. 30-95: Aug. 18 — Astros 2, Sox 0 Lopez, Sosa and Benintendi singled for the team’s three hits while getting shut out for the 14th time. It was the 31st loss in the Sox’s last 35 games. 30-96: Aug. 19 — Giants 5, Sox 3 The Giants had five consecutive hits during a four-run fifth. The Sox went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base while losing for the 32nd time in their last 36 games. “We had good at-bats all night, put pressure on, getting guys on,” Sizemore said. “Just got to keep working, keep executing. Even though we got down, we kept fighting, kept clawing back.” 30-97: Aug. 20 — Giants 4, Sox 1 Another game with just three hits for the Sox, who struck out 12 times. “Just wasn’t our night,” Sizemore said of the Sox, who are the second team in Major League Baseball history to lose 97-plus times over the first 127 games of a season. 31-98: Aug. 23 — Tigers 5, Sox 2 White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore argues with officials on a hit-by-pitch call in the seventh inning against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field on Aug. 23, 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) A 12-game losing streak began as the Sox fell to 2-23 in starts by Flexen. The team’s 19 consecutive losses in games he has started matches the MLB record set by Chris Capuano and the Brewers (May 13, 2007-June 3, 2010). The first 18 during Capuano’s stretch came in ’07, with one in 2010 after missing time because of Tommy John surgery. The 19-game skid passes the single-season record, which was held by Walt Dickson and the 1912 Boston Braves. 31-99: Aug. 24 — Tigers 13, Sox 4 The Tigers scored four runs in the third, fourth and ninth innings. The Sox collected 12 hits but could not keep the Tigers in check. “I don’t think we try to focus on that,” Julks said of nearing 100 losses. “We just go day by day.” Chicago White Sox nearing a dubious distinction: losing 100 games for the 6th time in the franchise’s 124-year history 31-100: Aug. 25 — Tigers 9, Sox 4 The Sox became just the second team in the modern era of Major League Baseball history to lose 100-plus times over the first 131 games of a season. It’s just the sixth time in franchise history the Sox have had a 100-loss season. It’s the first time they’ve had consecutive 100-loss seasons after finishing 61-101 in 2023. And it’s by far the earliest they’ve reached the mark in terms of both game number and date. “Everyone in that locker room is aware of the record and how frustrating it is, absolutely,” Sizemore said. 31-101: Aug. 26 — Tigers 6, Sox 3 The Tigers took the lead during a five-run seventh. “Tough inning,” Sizemore said. 31-102: Aug. 27 — Rangers 3, Sox 1 Crochet threw four pitches before the game was suspended because of rain. It was completed the next day. “Excited Grady let me go out there and have a shot at the bottom (of the lineup) there, it’s on me for f−−−−−− it up,” said Flexen, who allowed three runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings. “Just didn’t execute at the end. That was on me.” 31-103: Aug. 28 — Rangers 4, Sox 3 White Sox’s Andrew Vaughn runs back to the dugout as the Rangers bench celebrates after a game-saving catch by outfielder Travis Jankowski in the ninth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on Aug. 28, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Left fielder Travis Jankowski robbed Vaughn of a game-winning three-run homer with an amazing catch in the ninth. “It’s probably one of the best catches you’ll see in a long time,” Vaughn said. “Got to hand it to him.” “Guys fought hard. We’re being tested right now,” Sizemore said. “That’s a tough game to lose.” 31-104: Aug. 29 — Rangers 2, Sox 1 Benintendi homered in the ninth as the Sox avoided being blanked again. “It’s been the theme of just coming up a little short, being right there and an inch or two away from a victory and just having it taken away,” Sizemore said. 31-105: Aug. 30 — Mets 5, Sox 1 J.D. Martinez hit a two-run homer during a three-run third. It was the Sox’s 8th straight loss and the team’s third losing streak of at least eight games this season. 31-106: Aug. 31 — Mets 5, Sox 3 The Mets hit back-to-back homers in the first as the Sox matched the 1970 club’s franchise record with their 106th loss. “A lot of things have been going against us, we need that break just to kind of help the morale in that clubhouse,” Sizemore said. “Sometimes it gets frustrating. They keep fighting. The energy is up. They are not feeling sorry for themselves. They are not quitting. They are not folding.” The nine-game skid is the third-longest of the season for the Sox. 31-107: Sept. 1 — Mets 2, Sox 0 White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa catches a fly ball by the Mets’ Harrison Bader during the ninth inning on Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) The Sox didn’t collect a hit until the fifth while establishing a new franchise mark for losses in a season. “When we’re not scoring runs, it doesn’t matter how many we strike out,” Sizemore said after Crochet struck out the first seven hitters to tie a franchise and American League record. 31-108: Sept. 2 — Orioles 13, Sox 3 The team’s 20 consecutive losses in games Flexen has started surpasses the MLB record he shared with Chris Capuano and the Milwaukee Brewers (May 13, 2007 to June 3, 2010). t’s the fourth time the Sox surrendered at least 13 runs this season and the third time they’ve allowed at least 18 hits. “There’s definitely worse losses than others. Today was a bad loss. We didn’t play good baseball,” Sizemore said. 31-109: Sept. 3 — Orioles 9, Sox 0 White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas, center, stays on the ground after colliding with left fielder Andrew Benintendi on an attempt to catch a pop fly during the second inning against the Orioles on Sept. 3, 2024, in Baltimore. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP) The Sox trailed 7-0 after the second inning on their way to their 12th straight loss. Three runs scored in the second when Miguel Vargas crashed into Benintendi. The game also featured Sizemore — and then Benintendi — getting ejected for arguing a pitch in the 6th inning. The Sox were shut out for the 16th time this season and for the second time in their last three games. “Today just wasn’t our best day,” Sizemore said. 32-110: Sept. 6 — Red Sox 3, White Sox 1 After ending the 12-game skid in Baltimore, the White Sox suffered a late loss with a two-run homer by Ceddanne Rafaela in the seventh. 32-111: Sept. 7 — Red Sox 7, White Sox 5 Five of the first six Red Sox batters collected hits during a four-run first inning. The Sox lost for the 54th time after leading (Vaughn hit a two-run homer in the first inning). 33-112: Sept. 9 — Guardians 5, Sox 3 The loss was a franchise-record 13th straight home defeat. The team’s first hit came with two outs in the seventh; they finished with four hits. “We’re trying to get to the point where we’re playing good ball every night,” Sizemore said. “I’m not expecting guys to be perfect every time. We’re going to make mistakes. But it’s the little things we have to do if we’re going to win games. We can’t give away outs. We’ve got to execute all the time.” 33-113: Sept. 10 — Guardians 5, Sox 0 Vaughn had two of the team’s five hits, as the Sox clinched their 20th consecutive series loss. They were shut out for the 17th time, their most since being blanked on 21 occasions in 1976. It’s the 10th time they’ve been shut out at home. The 14th straight loss at home extended a club record. 33-114: Sept. 11 — Guardians 6, Sox 4 A group of fans wear matching T-shirts and paper bags over their heads in the ninth inning between the White Sox the Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 11, 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) The Guardians scored four runs on two infield hits. After the loss, Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf conceded the obvious. “Everyone in this organization is extremely unhappy with the results of this season, that goes without saying,” Reinsdorf said in a statement. “This year has been very painful for all, especially our fans. We did not arrive here overnight, and solutions won’t happen overnight either. Going back to last year, we have made difficult decisions and changes to begin building a foundation for future success. What has impressed me is how our players and staff have continued to work and bring a professional attitude to the ballpark each day despite a historically difficult season. No one is happy with the results, but I commend the continued effort.” 33-115: Sept. 13 — Athletics 2, Sox 0 The franchise-record home losing streak reached 16. The Sox would win the next two games, snapping the home and consecutive series skids. “I feel like it’s been like that for us all year, there’s no room for error,” Sizemore said. “The margins have been slim for us. I think we are used to playing that way. It’s not an easy way to play.” 36-116: Sept. 17 — Angels 5, Sox 0 The Sox were shut out for the 19th time while their three-game winning streak ended. “Just one of those days,” Sizemore said 36-117: Sept. 18 — Angels 4, Sox 3 (13 inn.) A run-scoring infield hit by Jordyn Adams ended the 3 hour, 35 minute marathon. “We had some opportunities, just didn’t capitalize on them,” Sizemore said. “We just came up short.” 36-118: Sept. 20 — Padres 3, Sox 2 (10) Sosa tied it with a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth. But Fernando Tatis Jr.’s RBI double in the 10th gave the Padres the win. “Things went their way,” Sosa said. 36-119: Sept. 21 — Padres 6, Sox 2 The Padres hit three home runs while Flexen’s franchise-record winless start streak reached 23 (it would finally end in a Sept. 26 win over the Angels). The 119 losses are the most by a team through 155 games in modern-day history. For comparison, the 1962 Mets had 116 losses through 155 games 36-120: Sept. 22 — Padres 4, Sox 2 The Sox matched the 1962 expansion Mets for the most losses in the modern era after the Padres rallied for three runs in the eighth. “No loss is good,” Sizemore said. “(No. 120 is) not something we’re focused on. I think everyone outside of this clubhouse will be more obsessed with it than us.” The 120 losses are the most in American League history. The Sox surpassed the 2003 Tigers, who went 43-119. 36-121: Sept. 27 — Tigers 4, White Sox 1 The Sox had just three hits — a double and home run by DeLoach and a single by Dominic Fletcher — as they extended a franchise record with their 63rd road loss of the season. “It’s frustrating,” Sheets said. “I didn’t know how I’d feel during it. This whole time the difference in 120 and 121 isn’t a better season or more of a success. I was definitely more frustrated than I thought I would be when it happened. “It’s been hard mentally, hard physically. I feel bad for everybody in this room to be a part of this. To see Detroit celebrating, that was us (making a playoff appearance in 2021), it’s frustrating. It doesn’t feel good.”