The Pittsburgh Pirates lost their 82nd game on Labor Day. It was a significant loss because it ensured that they will finish the season under .500for a record setting 17th consecutive season.
It's not only a baseball record, but an NFL, NHL and NBA record as well. No team has been so bad for 17 consecutive seasons in the history of the big four sports. But look closer at baseball history. This is not the worst stretch for a team, yet.
The Philadelphia Phillies had losing seasons in 30 of 31 seasons between 1918 and 1948. They had streaks of 13 and 16 seasons with losing seasons. In 1929, when they were 78-76 and did not make the playoffs. So is it any different than being a losing season?
Another factor to look at is that during that streak, the Phillies had 12 seasons of 100 losses or more. The Pirates have only had one such season (2001) during the past 17 years. So, yes the Pirates are terrible and have been so for awhile, but until they have 31 losing seasons in 32 years, the Phillies have us topped.
Let's be honest, while Pittsburgh fans would actually get excited about baseball again if the Pirates managed a winning season, it doesn't mean anything if they don't make the playoffs. Ask any team or player, and I guarantee they are not satisfied unless they make the playoffs. It doesn't matter if they have a winning record or not.
Since we're talking about playoffs, the Milwaukee Brewers had a stretch that was worse than the Pirates too. Between 1983 and 2007, the Brewers didn't make the playoffs. That is worse than 17-year playoff drought the Pirates are in.
The Pirates might break both of those records for awful, but they're not there yet.
By the way, Chad Ochocinco thinks the Cincinnati Bengals are going to win 12 games. I'll leave it up to my loyal four readers to describe how stupid that prediction is.
Another by the way. I wrote this before I read Gene Collier's column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Sarah - Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers
Yeah, the Phillies franchise is flourishing now but it is one of the worst all time in professional sports history. The first 76 years of the modern era (1900-1975) they never won a World Series and won only two NL pennants. They also managed to post a winning percentage of .444 over this period, which is an average of a 90 loss season...over a 76 year period.
ReplyDeleteAhh, lets get ready for the Pedro Alvarez era, can it get here soon enough for you, Jeffrey?
ReplyDeleteLong time reader first time caller....
ReplyDeleteI don't really have anything to say about this, the Pirates suck and I don't really enjoy watching them. But you do have more than 4 readers!
I didn't vote for "other", but I think Tom Gorzelanny or Marshawn Lynch would've been great ugly candidates. Discuss.
ReplyDeleteExcellent calls Michael...I had no idea how ugly Marshawn Lynch was. I guess you really do learn something new everyday.
ReplyDeleteWho cares about 1896-1970. Most of your readers were not even alive. Your current readers are all living through the current Pirate streak and that hurts. Go Phillies!!
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