Since I last wrote, the Oakland Athletics (who had just won seven in a row) followed that with an eight game losing streak and went 1-9, and now stand at 20-59, a winning percentage of .253. The good news is that they have now tied the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134, .123) in wins, and they will almost certainly win one of their last 83 games to pass them. They are also playing considerably better than the Spiders, but that's not saying much. The key question is, are they going to be better than the 1962 New York Mets (40-120, .250). They are playing slightly better, but they have to win 21 of those last 83, and that is still in doubt.
On the news front, the Nevada Legislature passed the public funding of the proposed stadium plan. The fans held an emotional reverse boycott, and more than 27000 showed up. And Rob Manfred showed his butt with his tone deaf remarks. What a train wreck (really trying not to curse. It's hard.)
The Kansas City Royals had just lost eight in a row, but since I last wrote, they have gone 4-6, which is not actually terrible. They stand at 22-55, a .286 winning percentage. It looks like they are going to be merely bad, but not historically so. We will see.
On to the history.
By Wins
All-time: The A's are tied for 44th all time with 20 wins with the 1899 NL Cleveland Spiders (20-134), and the 1871 NA Boston Red Stockings (20-10). They are ahead of four teams. Next on the list are five teams: the 1880 NL Cincinnati Stars (21-59), the 1884 UA Philadelphia Keystones (21-46), the 1876 NL New York Mutuals (21-35), the 1891 AA Milwaukee Brewers (21-15), and the 1871 NA Philadelphia Athletics (21-7). The 2023 Royals (22-55) are next, tied at 52nd with 3 other teams, the 1879 NL Syracuse Stars (22-48), the 2020 AL Texas Rangers (22-38), and the 1874 NL Brooklyn Athletics (22-33). Next on their list are the truly execrable 1890 NL Pittsburgh Alleghenys (23-113), and the 2020 Detroit Tigers (23-35).
Since 1876: The A's (20-59) are tied for 18th with the Spiders (20-134). Next, the 1880 Cincinatti Stars (21-59), the 1884 UA Philadelphia Keystones (21-46), the 1876 NL New York Mutuals (21-35), and the 1891 AA Milwaukee Brewers (21-15). Next are the Royals (22-55), tied at 24th with the 1879 Syracuse Stars (22-48), and the 2020 Texas Rangers (22-38). And after that, the 1890 Pittsburghs (23-113), and the 2020 Tigers (23-35).
American League: A's are worst at 20-59; Royals (22-59) are tied for 2nd-worst with the pandemic-era 2020 Texas Rangers (22-38). Next on the list is the 2020 Detroit Tigers (23-35). We are going to see a lot of pandemic teams in these reports the next few weeks.
Since 1900: The A's are 2nd-worst, ahead of the 2020 Pirates (19-41). Royals and 2020 Rangers are tied for 3rd. Next up after them are the 2020 Tigers (23-35).
Since 1871; >100 games: The A's are 2nd, ahead of the Spiders. Royals are 3rd. Next on the lists are the 1889 AA Louisville Colonels (27-111). I thought that a good book could be written about that Louisville team, but they were really bad, and owned by a syndicate, and I realized that it would be entirely too depressing.
By Winning Percentage
All-time: Oakland (.2532) is 38th worst, ahead of the 1904 AL Washington Senators (.252), and behing the 1879 NL Troy Trojans (.2533). Kansas City (22-55; .286) is tied for 61st with the 1884 AA Richmond Virginians (12-30; .286), ahead of the 1915 AL Philadelphia A's and the 1928 NL Philadelphia Phillies (both 43-109; .283). Next on their list are the 1896 NL Louisville Colonels (38-93; .290)
Since 1876: #21. 1904 Washington Senators (38-113; .252), #22 2023 Oakland Athletics (20-59; .2532), #23 1879 NL Troy Trojans (19-56; .3533).... #42 1915 A's and 1928 Phillies (43-109; .383), #44 (tie) 1884 AA Richmond Virginians (12-30; .286) and 2023 KC Royals (22-55, .286), #46 1896 Louisville Colonels (38-93; .290)
American League: #2 1904 Senators (.252), #3 2023 Oakland (.2532), #4 1919 A's (.257)... #9 1915 A's (.283), #10 2023 KC (.286), 2018 Baltimore Orioles (.290)
Since 1900: #4 1904 Senators (.252), #5 Oakland (.253), #6 1919 A's (.257)... #14 (tie) 1915 A's and 1928 Phillies (.283), #16 2020 Royals (.286), #17 2018 Orioles (.290)
Since 1871; >100 games: #11 1904 Senators (.251), #12 2023 White Elephants (.253), #13 1919 A's (.257)... #27 1915 A's/1928 Phillies (.283), #29 2020 Powder Blue Wonders (.286), #30 1896 Louisville (.290)
Last Note
Since I last wrote, the following teams have won more than the 1962 New York Mets: Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, and the Cincinnati Reds. They can sleep better, knowing that they won't be the worst team in the past 123 years.
I am traveling, so my resolve to write every time the A's win until they pass the '62 Mets may not be strictly kept. I'll do my best. Fortunately for me, they only won 1 since the last time I wrote, and I am only a day late.
No comments:
Post a Comment