Gavin Sheets did his best to hold back the tide of disappointment, but the Chicago White Sox faced an uphill battle this season. After sweeping the Angels in a surprising three-game series earlier this week, it looked like they might finish the home stretch on a high note. They have surpassed the 1962 Mets and claimed the number one position as the team with the most losses in a season. 

In a tough matchup against the playoff-bound Tigers, the White Sox fell 4-1 at Comerica Park, officially cemented their status in the record books with a staggering 121 losses—the most since 1901. Ouch. While that sweep against the Angels was a glimmer of hope, the Tigers reminded everyone just how challenging the big leagues can be. So, what’s next for the White Sox?

Players reflect on being on the wrong side of history

First baseman Gavin Sheets shared to MLB.com, “And all of a sudden, on the last out, you realize you’re part of the wrong side of history. It was a little more frustrating, and it hurt a little bit more than I expected.”

Garrett Crochet, on the other hand, took a more stoic approach: “No real emotions. We put ourselves in this position early on. We had a bad April. We just never dug ourselves out of that hole. We are where we are because of the way we played. But that’s just all it is.” Sheets’ hopeful vision of a winning streak feels like a distant dream now, while Crochet’s candid assessment acknowledges the reality they’re facing. 

Discussions of losses, analysis of what went wrong, and the inevitable comparisons to the infamous 1962 Mets. This weekend, they face off against the surging Detroit Tigers. Fresh off a triumphant three-game sweep of the Angels, where they surrendered a mere five runs—the players are showing that they still have fight left in them. Each game at Comerica Park is a chance to rewrite the narrative.

The Tigers may be the hottest team in baseball, but the White Sox are hungry to prove that they can still play the game. Meanwhile, let’s see why Garrett Crochet found himself in a position he never quite expected.

The rise of Garrett Crochet and the fall of the White Sox 

Garrett Crochet didn’t even know he had made the big league roster. That is until he was named the Opening Day starter for the White Sox. Entering the 2024 season with just 73 career innings under his belt, Crochet faced the challenge of a second-half inning and pitch count limit. But instead of being deterred, he embraced the opportunity and turned heads all season long. Crochet wrapped up his first season as a starter on a high note. Tossing four scoreless innings, striking out six, and only walking one. 

His final stats show a 6-12 record with a solid 3.58 ERA. In Friday’s game, things got a bit tense in the fourth inning. With his pitch count creeping toward that 60-mark and the bases loaded for the Tigers, interim manager Grady Sizemore made a trip to the mound. Everyone was holding their breath as lefty Trey Sweeney stepped up to bat. But Crochet handled the pressure like a pro, getting Sweeney to ground out to shortstop Nicky Lopez. A perfect way to exit. How’s that for closing out a season? 

Chicago has faced losing streaks of 21, 14, and 12 games—painful stretches that ultimately led to the firing of manager Pedro Grifol in early August. The White Sox made some tough decisions just before the July 30 trade deadline. Dealing away key players like pitchers Erick Fedde and Michael Kopech, along with outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Tommy Pham only weakened the squad further. These moves were meant to reshape the future, but they also left the team scrambling on the field. Can the White Sox rise again?