Rockies Avoid Historic Shame but Remain in Infamous Company
The Colorado Rockies narrowly escaped what could have been a nightmarish chapter in baseball history. With a hard-fought 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, they secured their 42nd win of the season, ensuring they wouldn’t surpass the Chicago White Sox’s infamous record of 121 losses from the 2024 season. While that particular benchmark remains intact for now, the Rockies have not exactly provided their fans with much to cheer about this year.
A Season of Struggles
As the Rockies sit with a staggering 112 losses and just eight games left in the season, they are still on pace for 118 defeats, a total that would place them among the most disappointing seasons in MLB history. The start of the season set a dismal tone, with the Rockies stumbling out of April with a dreadful 5-25 record. By the end of May, they had plummeted to 9-49, a pace that suggested they might finish with an astounding 137 losses—well beyond the White Sox’s mark.
The team’s struggles led to a managerial shakeup; Bud Black was dismissed after just 40 games, giving way to Warren Schaeffer. While the change did not salvage the season, it did stabilize the team to some extent. Since June 1, the Rockies have managed a record of 33-63—still dismal, yet far from historic infamy.
Lingering Challenges
Despite this slight uptick, the Rockies’ overall performance remains alarming. They have allowed more runs than any other team in the league since June and rank near the bottom in scoring, even in their home park, the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field. The stark reality is that the Rockies are grappling with some of the worst statistics in the league, leaving fans searching for any glimmer of hope.
The Grim Reality of Run Differential
The most troubling statistic of all is their run differential, which stands at a staggering minus-403—the worst in modern MLB history. This figure far surpasses the previous record held by the 1932 Boston Red Sox, who finished with a minus-349 differential. For context, the 2023 Oakland Athletics, once viewed as a low point, had a differential of minus-339. The Rockies have not only eclipsed these marks but have done so with considerable margin.
When considering the historical context, the Rockies find themselves in even worse company. Expanding the scope to include teams from the 19th century, only six franchises have been outscored by more runs. The 1899 Cleveland Spiders hold the unfortunate honor of having the worst differential in history, standing at a staggering minus-723.
As the Rockies approach the end of this grim season, they must confront the reality of their performance, both in the present and in the annals of baseball history. The hope is that they can turn this trend around in the coming years, but for now, they remain entrenched in the hall of infamy.
