Despite the impending record loss in a season, the White Sox are optimistic about the future

CHICAGO (CBS) — For some time now, the question has been when (not if) the White Sox would attain sole baseball glory.

With 120 losses – a new record – the Sox's next loss will make them the most losing team in the modern era.

With a total of 121 losses, the New York Mets, who became an expansion team in 1962, would have a higher total. The White Sox have already surpassed the 2003 Detroit Tigers, a team that lost 119 games, setting the American League record. MLB only counts modern-era records since 1900, so the all-time record of 134 losses set by the 1899 Cleveland Spiders is not included.

But despite their historically bad season, the Sox are looking positively towards the future.

General manager Chris Getz said the losses provided clarity about the direction the organization needed to move – even if it took a toll on the team.

“Our fans certainly don't deserve to go through this. I know they pay money to come to the games and watch the games. They see the Chicago White Sox as a positive outlet and we haven't been able to deliver too many positives over the course of the season,” Getz said. “So it's certainly my job and the job of others — you know, to focus more on the future, learn from the past and start to go where the White Sox belong.”

Some players still remember what it was like to win a division title just three years ago.

“Vaughn [Andrew Vaughn], [Garrett] Crochet and I – we all talk about how great this place is. We all like to remember what it was like in 2021, you know, especially this time of year. Back then, we were getting ready for the playoffs and the excitement was here,” said White Sox first baseman Gavin Sheets. “You know, that's what we harp on about every day – how can we get back to that?”

Leaves: about to start big in 2021

As for the White Sox managerial vacancy at the end of the season, Getz said Grady Sizemore is considering a large pool of candidates. The Sox are not pressed for time, but have said late October or early November are a possible date for a decision.

Fans have it

It's definitely been a devastating season for White Sox fans. Longtime fan Will Rodostits said he's used to it by now.

“From the highest high to the lowest low, I’ve spent the last 33 years there,” he said.

He was there when the White Sox won the 2005 World Series, and now this. As for Tuesday's game, he had no plans to go.

“I'm still indifferent because I knew they were going to be crap. But this is just horrific,” he said. “I couldn't be more unhappy and there's no light at the end of the tunnel right now.”

Laurence Holmes, afternoon host of 670 The Score, put it succinctly: The White Sox are a wreck.

“If you talk to most White Sox fans, they'll tell you the light at the end of the tunnel is a train,” he said. “I don't know how that's going to get any better anytime soon. They've really run this thing down to absolute rubbish.”

This all comes as White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf pushes for a new ballpark in The 78 district of the South Loop. Rodostits said he would rather see a winning team.

“I'd rather see them play in the elementary school where I grew up, as long as they win,” he said. “So if you ask me what I want, I'd ask Jerry to go, put in new management and new owners and just blow the whole thing up. They've already blown the team up.”

Holmes added that the White Sox's performance was seen as a betrayal of their loyal fans.

“It's a really great fan base. People on the South Side care and they care about the White Sox,” he said, “and the last couple of years it felt like the White Sox didn't care.”