If the third time’s a charm, fans in Houston must be absolutely smitten with the Astros. After going without a 100-loss season for the first 49 years of its existence, the franchise has now reeled off three straight.
10-Worst Three Year Spans, by Total Losses (1901-2013)
Source: baseball-reference.com
With last night’s 10-0 loss to the Reds, the Astros clinched their third consecutive 100-loss season, a rare trifecta accomplished by only 11 other teams (most recently by the 2004 to 2006 Kansas City Royals). In addition, with 11 games remaining, Houston has also put itself in position to accumulate more defeats over a three year span than all but five other teams in baseball history. Sometimes, good things don’t come to those who wait.
100-Loss Seasons by Franchise
Note: Data as of September 17, 2013, but assumes Marlins will lose 100 games this season.
Source: baseball-reference.com
On a percentage basis, the Tampa Rays have had the most seasons below the century mark, but it’s really the Athletics who have made losing 100 games an art form. Spanning three different cities, the Athletics suffered 100 or more defeats in 16 seasons, or 14% of the franchise’s total. Meanwhile, in the National League, the Phillies lead the way with 14 seasons at 100 or more losses, which might explain why Philadelphia has a reputation for being so ornery. Between the two clubs, the city of brotherly love has been witness to 25 years of historically bad baseball. No wonder they boo Santa Claus.
Longest Current Streaks Without a 100-Loss Season
Note: Data as of September 17, 2013, but assumes Marlins will lose 100 games this season.
Source: baseball-reference.com
When the Astros recorded their first 100 loss season in 2011, it left the Rockies and Angels as the only teams to never dip below that threshold. Of course, combined, the two franchises have only 73 seasons, which doesn’t even come close to the longest current streaks without a 100-loss campaign. Among American League teams, the Yankees enjoy the longest stretch without a 100-loss season, an honor it almost forfeited in 1990. That year, the Bronx Bombers lost 95 games, the most since going down to defeat on 102 occasions in 1912. In the National League, the Dodgers and Cardinals each boast an even longer active streak without a 100-loss season. Both teams last passed the century mark in 1908, which just so happened to be the year the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. Since then, the Cubs have failed to win another Fall Classic, while the Dodgers and Cardinals have gone on to lead the National League in pennants.
100-Loss Teams by Season, 1901-2013
Note: Data as of September 17, 2013, but assumes Marlins will lose 100 games this season.
Source: baseball-reference.com
Finally, before the end of the season, the Astros will likely be joined at the 100-loss mark by the Marlins and perhaps even the White Sox. If so, it will represent only the 10th major league season with three 100-loss teams, and the first since four dipped below that threshold in 2002. If misery loves company, 2013 has been happy to oblige.
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