Could 2013 provide the most losses by a team in baseball history?

[BCubb2003]

I always think it's remarkable that you could be bad enough to lose 120 games and still win more than 40. That's 40 times you figured it out and got it done. Maybe it was mostly your one good pitcher against a lot of #5 starters, but still.

[texasdave]

During the summer of 1968, Aquarius Drive pounded Venus Lane about 150 times. That record is going to stand a long, long time. Some days we might beat them four or five times. The 'Mercy Rule' was originally called the 'Venus Lane Rule'.

[cincinnati chili]

They have a better chance of being a .500 team than they do of losing the most games in baseball history. You figure one or two of the young pitchers will figure something out. Chris Carter might hit 40 bombs too. They're not the inaugural Mets or anything. I'd put the over/under at 62 wins.

[757690]

Easily one of the worst defensive infields I have ever seen. I pity their pitchers.

[RedsBaron]

EASON
MODERN (1900-)

LOSSES displayed only--not a sorting criteria
WINS displayed only--not a sorting criteria

WINNING PERCENTAGE            YEAR     PCT       L        W     
1    A's                      1916     .235      117       36   
2    Braves                   1935     .248      115       38   
3    Mets                     1962     .250      120       40   
4    Senators                 1904     .252      113       38   
5    A's                      1919     .257      104       36   
6    Tigers                   2003     .265      119       43   
7    Pirates                  1952     .273      112       42   
8    Senators                 1909     .276      110       42   
9    Phillies                 1942     .278      109       42   
T10  Phillies                 1941     .279      111       43   
T10  Browns                   1939     .279      111       43   
T10  Red Sox                  1932     .279      111       43

In reviewing that list I thought that if I was an Astros fan I would console myself my noting how quickly some of those teams turned everything around.
7 years after losing 120 games the Mets were World Champs.
8 years after losing 112 games the Pirates were World Champs.
10 years after losing 104 games the A's were World Champs.
15 years after losing 110 games the Senators were World Champs.
3 years after losing 119 games the Tigers were AL Champs.
5 years after losing 111 games the Browns were AL Champs.

[westofyou]

And let us not forget the almost modern era 1899 Cleveland Spiders -- 20 wins and 134 losses for a .130 winning percentage. With an amazing RS = 529, RA = 1,252.

The following year? 81-68, 5th place, 730 RS, 683 RA. Only a +770 run differential turnaround.

The following year they were contracted and rolled into the Cardinals, the Next year they were a different team, albeit successful in the Western League

[_Sir_Charles_]

I have a feeling they'll lose less than 100. Yes, they suck...no doubt. But I think the kids will play with energy and excitement and some will surprise.

[thatcoolguy_22]

Another Houston Loss

With the loss, the Astros fall to 11-31 for a .262 winning percentage and a 42-120 pace, which would make them the worst team since the 1962 Mets went 40-120 (.250); the 2003 Tigers went 43-119 (.265). As for the Pirates, they ran their record to 25-17, moving them into a tie for second place in the NL Central, 2 1/2 games behind the Cardinals, and tied with the Reds for the wild-card lead.

Just through the 1/4 mark of the season and the 'stros are en route to history.

[SpiritofStLouis]

120 games takes some doing.

I would offer that Miami could lose more games than Houston. At least the Astros have an enthusiastic fan base.

It's gotta be tough being a Marlin. The owner sold off the team, you have to play all summer in the heat and humidity, and what limited fan base you have would rather watch in AC, whether it be at home or in a bar.

[Crumbley]

120 games takes some doing.

I would offer that Miami could lose more games than Houston. At least the Astros have an enthusiastic fan base.

It's gotta be tough being a Marlin. The owner sold off the team, you have to play all summer in the heat and humidity, and what limited fan base you have would rather watch in AC, whether it be at home or in a bar.

The new ballpark has a retractable roof.

[improbus]

I am really going to miss those 15 games against the Astros. The Reds over/under before the season was 88.5, what would it have been with those 15 games? 90 maybe?

[PuffyPig]

I always think it's remarkable that you could be bad enough to lose 120 games and still win more than 40. That's 40 times you figured it out and got it done. Maybe it was mostly your one good pitcher against a lot of #5 starters, but still.

Every win is not really "they figured it out".

The randomness of baseball determines that lesser players and pitchers will still have good AB"s and days when they get goos results. And those will result in some wins. When the Astros win a game it doesn't mean that they are a better team than the team they beat (even for the day), it just means they won that game.