Since 1900: The Longest Losing Streaks in MLB History – 12 Teams That Lost 19+ Games in a Row

The 2024 Chicago White Sox tied the American League record for the longest single-season losing streak at 21 games, matching the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, but the all-time mark in the Modern Era remains with the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies at 23 consecutive losses.

Since 1900, 12 MLB teams have lost at least 19 games in a row, according to verified historical data. The White Sox’ 21-game skid in 2024 began with a loss in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins on July 10 and continued through the All-Star break before ending with a win over the Oakland Athletics on August 6.

The 1988 Orioles started their 21-game losing streak on Opening Day, losing 12-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers on April 4 and not recording their first win until April 29 at the White Sox in Game 22 of the season. Baltimore finished that year with a 54-107 record.

Chicago’s 2024 streak came after the team had already endured a 14-game losing skid earlier in the season, pushing them to exceed that mark and tie the AL record. The White Sox finished the 2024 season with 121 losses, setting a franchise record for losses in a single season.

In the Modern Era (since 1900), the longest single-season losing streak belongs to the 1961 Phillies, who lost 23 straight games. Their skid began on July 29 against the San Francisco Giants and ended on August 20 in a doubleheader against the Boston Braves, when Philadelphia took the second game. The streak actually preceded a four-game winning streak — the team’s longest winning streak of the season. The 1961 Phillies finished with a 47-107 record.

The longest single-season losing streak in official MLB history is 26 games, set by the 1889 Louisville Colonels. However, this predates the Modern Era and is not considered part of the post-1900 record-keeping standard used for current comparisons.

Other notable losing streaks since 1900 include the 1969 Montreal Expos and two separate Philadelphia Athletics teams from 1916, each losing 20 games in a row. The 1914 Cincinnati Reds, 1915 Detroit Tigers, 1906 Boston Americans, and 1906 Boston Beaneaters also lost 19 straight games.

More recently, the 2005 Kansas City Royals and the 2021 Baltimore Orioles each lost 19 games in a row, showing that extended losing streaks have occurred across different eras of the sport.

In postseason play, the Minnesota Twins hold the record for the longest losing streak at 18 consecutive games, a mark that ended when they snapped the skid in 2023. The longest losing streak by a defending World Series Champion is 11 games, shared by the 1998 Florida Marlins and the 1986 Kansas City Royals.

These streaks are tracked by the Elias Sports Bureau and reflect only regular-season games unless otherwise specified. The data confirms that while multiple teams have approached or tied the 21-game mark in recent years, the 1961 Phillies’ 23-game losing streak remains unmatched in the Modern Era.