What teams have the worst records in MLB history? These teams struggled to find any momentum and found themselves on the wrong side of the record books.
Worst Records in MLB History
Let’s take a look at the worst baseball teams in history as we rank the worst records in MLB by most losses in a season.
10. 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates (42-112)
One of the worst baseball teams of all time is the 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates. Offensively they scored only 607 runs while conceding a massive 840 runs. They also finished 22.5 games behind the next worst team in the league.
Apart from Murray Dickson who had a win-loss record of 14-21, the pitching staff were terrible. The inexperienced Pirates were also the youngest team in the league with an average age of 26.2 years old, another factor why they were on the receiving end of 112 losses.
9. 1904 Washington Senators (38-113)
The Wagner brothers, who were involved in the meat-packing industry in Philadelphia, owned the 1904 Washington Senators. The brothers continually sold off any players who showed promise and they never reinvested back into the franchise.
As a result the Senators struggled to find any consistency both offensively and defensively. Injuries to an already weak lineup did not help the team, and four of the Senators starting pitchers lost 23 or more games to top off a 38-113 season, one of the worst records in MLB history.
8. 1890 Pittsburgh Alleghenys (23-113)
The 1890 Pittsburgh Alleghenys lost 113 games and are one of the worst baseball teams of all time. The team struggled as most of the roster was stripped of its stars who joined the Pittsburgh Burghers of the short-lived Players’ League.
With such a limited talent pool, the team lacked any sort of firepower both offensively and defensively. To make matters worse, most of their games were played on the road as fans also jumped ship and supported the Burghers.
7. 2019 Detroit Tigers (47-114)
One of the worst baseball teams of all time are the 2019 Detroit Tigers who lost 114 games. The team struggled to generate runs with an injury-riddled season for superstar Miguel Cabrera, and the trading away of Nicholas Castellanos. The Tigers finished last in runs per game, and second-last in home runs, walks and total bases.
In the middle of a rebuild phase, the Tigers’ pitching staff never stood much of a chance especially when the rotation was impacted by injuries to Matt Moore and Michael Fulmer. A lack of depth meant that they allowed the most runs and home runs in the league.
If this isn’t the 2019 Detroit Tigers encapsulated in one play, I have no idea what is. https://t.co/XjK5Hzi4bU
— Pal Saolantonio (@KyleYourFriend) August 14, 2019
6. 2018 Baltimore Orioles (47-115)
The 2018 Baltimore Orioles had a disastrous season and finished with one of the worst records in MLB history. Losing their main offensive threat Manny Machado set the team up for a lack of offensive production throughout the year.
A season of inconsistent hitting, ineffective pitching and an overall lack of power in the lineup resulted in the Orioles finishing with a 47-115 record and one of the worst records in MLB history. They’d have to wait until 2021 for their next winning season.
The 2018 Baltimore Orioles are something else pic.twitter.com/kpWpe1ycSm
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) August 11, 2018
5. 1935 Boston Braves (38-115)
The 1935 Boston Braves are one of the worst baseball teams ever. A combination of poor pitching, management issues, roster changes and a lack of talent led to 115 losses during the season.
Despite having the best baseball player of all time, Babe Ruth, on the team, an ageing Ruth had easily his worst career season. He hit a .181 average in what would be his last season as a professional.
Pitcher Bob Smith posted a 5-18 win-loss record with an ERA of 6.14. Ed Brandt also struggled to a 5-23 record and an ERA of 5.82.
4. 1916 Philadelphia Athletics (36-117)
The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics struggled both in offense and defense and limped to a 36-117 record. In the middle of a rebuilding phase following World Series victories in 1910, 1911 and 1913, the team was far too young and inexperienced.
Star pitcher Eddie Plank had retired prior to the season, and future Hall of Famers Eddie Collins and John “Home Run” Baker had departed due to contract disputes. The Athletics ranked last in runs scored and runs allowed, and their pitching staff posted a team ERA of 4.02.
3. 2003 Detroit Tigers (43-119)
The third worst record in MLB history by most losses belongs to the 2003 Detroit Tigers. With the franchise in rebuild mode, a combination of bad draft picks, rushed young prospects, poor management and a lack of talent were why the Tigers were so bad.
Detroit’s pitching staff shared a team ERA of 5.30. Pitcher Mike Maroth had a woeful ERA of 5.73 and became the only pitcher since 1980 to lose 20 times or more in a season.
The entire offense was horrible too with the exception of Dmitri Young who hit 29 home runs and had a .297 batting average.
At 119 losses on Game 161 of the 2003 season, the Detroit Tigers erase an 8-0 deficit and beat the Twins on a walk-off strikeout. Warren Morris at the plate with Alex Sanchez at third. They’d win five of their last six games, including game 162, and avoid 120 losses. pic.twitter.com/Qn4k85EUhG
— Scott Bentley (@BentleyScotty) March 3, 2022
2. 1962 New York Mets (40-120)
The 1962 New York Mets were an expansion team and owns the second worst record in MLB history with 120 losses. The Mets were a lot worse than what their record suggests, with 9 wins within a 12 week period helping their record.
Despite achieving the most losses in the modern era of baseball, the Mets popularity was soaring in their inaugural year and they drew more than a million fans, more than nine other franchises.
The Mets struggled in every department. Their run differential of -331 is the third worst since 1900, with only the 2003 Detroit Tigers and 1932 Boston Red Sox worse.
1. 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134)
The 1899 Cleveland Spiders have the worst record in MLB history finishing the season with an embarrassing 20-134 record. Owned by the Robison brothers, they also owned the St. Louis Perfectos.
Many of the Spiders’ best players were transferred to St. Louis by the Robison brothers, creating the worst baseball team ever, filled mostly with minor league players.
Off the field the Cleveland Spiders faced financial difficulties due to a lack of fan support. Poor planning also meant a schedule that saw them play most of their games on the road, and at the end of the season the team would be disbanded.
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