Losses upon losses

With yesterday’s loss and subsequent sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees, the Royals became tied with the Minnesota Twins for first place in the AL Central. Barf. This marks the Royals first losing streak of 2015, and I thought I would take a look at other notable losing streaks in baseball history, including some of the Royals own, in order to help us all feel better about the team. Or maybe it will make us feel worse. I don’t know.

The Major League record for consecutive losses is 23 set by the Phillies in 2001. What is most notable about that terrible team (who finished the season with a record of 86-76 which was second in the NL East) is that two players who would later become Royals played for them: Paul Byrd and Bruce Chen. Guess losing just followed them around…

The American League record for most consecutive losses is 21 by the 1988 Baltimore Orioles. THANK GOD THE ROYALS DO NOT OWN THAT RECORD. Whew. The 1988 Orioles were terrible, finishing tied for dead last in all of baseball with the Atlanta Braves, with both teams winning only 54 games. That team included Cal Ripken Jr, Eddie Murray, and Mike Boddicker. Pretty good waste of talent, idiots! The team also included Don Aase, whose name elicited many a laugh from my brother and I as children. 

The Royals’ longest losing streak in club history was 19 games, set in 2005. That team was managed by Tony Pena, Bob Schaefer and Buddy Bell and all 3 were terrible. They finished last place in all of baseball, winning only 56 games which was at least 11 games worse than every other team. Zack Greinke led the league with 17 losses that year, and he sported a 5.80 ERA. Angel Berroa played 159 games for them at short stop (YUCK!). Interestingly, that team had two players who are still in the league: David DeJesus and Jeremy Affeldt.  

In 2014, the Royals’ longest losing streak was 5 games, which also occurred in May. This year’s team can end their current 4-game losing streak tomorrow night in Chicago at Wrigley Field.

The Royal’s longest postseason losing streak is 10 games, set between 1980-81 and 1984-85. Then they won the World Series so no big deal. Their current postseason losing streak is 1, which needs to end this October. NO ONE IN KC LIKES YOU MADISON BUMGARNER, YOU HORSE-FACED NILLY. And I don't really know what a horse-faced nilly is but it certainly seems fitting for Bumgarner, right?

To end on a happy note, the Royals longest winning streak is 16 games, set in 1977, and the Tigers’ longest winning streak is only 14 BECAUSE THEY SUCK. Let's go Royals and end that losing streak tomorrow!