The Chicago White Sox are determined to bounce back after a disastrous season.
Last year, the White Sox had the worst record and winning percentage in Major League Baseball history, joining a small group of American sports teams infamous for historically poor seasons.
However, a new season brings new opportunities, and the White Sox enter 2025 with a very young team and hopes for a fresh start. Things can only improve from such a low point, although history suggests that “improvement” might be modest.
Here’s how other teams in American sports recovered after their worst-ever seasons.
2008 Detroit Lions, 0-16
Record next season: 2-14
The Lions replaced coach Rod Marinelli with Jim Schwartz but didn`t see much improvement immediately. Each of their two wins was followed by a six-game losing streak. Both wins came with rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, who played for Detroit for 12 seasons.
2017 Cleveland Browns, 0-16
Record next season: 7-8-1
Cleveland`s 2018 season was unusual but much better than the previous year. They tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers in their season opener and were 2-2-1 by Week 6.
However, three straight losses led to Hue Jackson`s firing. Interim coach Gregg Williams won five of the last eight games, finishing just under .500.
1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 0-14
Record next season: 2-12
Before the Lions and Browns, the Buccaneers were the first winless NFL team in 1976, when the season was 14 games. Their first season was bad, and their second in 1977 showed little progress. After an 0-12 start, they faced the possibility of consecutive winless seasons.
The team finished strong, winning their last two games as a small victory. Tampa Bay then improved to five wins in 1978 and ten wins (and a playoff spot) in 1979.
2011 Tulsa Shock, 3-31
Record next season: 9-25
Despite starting the 2012 WNBA season with a nine-game losing streak, the Shock found some momentum in the second half of the season.
Tulsa went 6-7 in their final 13 games, finishing 9-25, tripling their wins from the previous year.
1974-75 Washington Capitals, 8-67-5
Record next season: 11-59-10
Another team with a tough first season, the Capitals won three more games and had five more ties in their second year.
Washington improved in goals scored (from 181 to 224) and goals allowed (from 446 to 394) in their second season, although their defense was still the league`s worst.
2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats, 7-59
Record next season: 21-61
One of the biggest Year 2 improvements on this list, the Bobcats (now Charlotte Hornets) significantly improved after their terrible lockout-shortened season.
Kemba Walker led the team in points, assists, and steals, and despite a 6-36 stretch from December to February, the Bobcats finished with 21 wins.
Benedict Kingsley