What's It Like To Play For The Worst Baseball Team Ever?

The Chicago White Sox are just a few games away from cementing the worst record in the history of Major League Baseball. Their brief, three-game win streak ended Tuesday night with a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. And it moved the White Sox to a jaw-dropping 36-116.

Chicago's 80 games under .500, and just five losses from passing the expansion 1962 New York Mets to lock in the most by any team. Ever. With 10 games remaining on their schedule, it'd be a near miracle for the White Sox to avoid losing at least five more games. Especially considering six of those 10 come against the San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers, both fighting for either a postseason berth or playoff positioning. 

The stats on the White Sox' futility are endless. And it raises the question, how in the world as a competitive athlete do you cope with that much losing?

ESPN's Jeff Passan spoke to many of the White Sox players and coaches to get an answer, and found out that well, it isn't easy.

Aug 4, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Miguel Vargas (20) hangs his head as they trail the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Passan spoke to White Sox pitcher Davis Martin about what it's like to be on the mound watching a comedy of errors unfold behind you. Sometimes literally. 

"You have to have a sense of humor," Martin responded. "You walk that fine line of being on the edge of losing your mind -- always on that razor's edge. We're just watching it all, and we're like, oh my gosh, this happens and this happens. Truly, it's so many things."

Another pitcher, Jonathan Cannon, said that during games, the entire team often feels the weight of seeing