Fans here don’t need to be reminded that the Colorado Rockies have lost more than 100 games for three seasons in a row (in the three decades before, it had never happened) and that they could reach triple-digit losses again this season.
Or they might not. They might avoid that ignominious feat this season, which would not just give a boost to the exhausted fan base, but might also put them on a path that’s been recently traveled by the Chicago White Sox, the last team to lose 100 games three straight seasons – but a team that is now in contention for a division title and playoff spot.
In 2024 – just two years ago – the White Sox lost 121 games. That’s two more L’s than the Rockies suffered during last season’s historically terrible year. Their 41-121 record was the third worst (in terms of total losses) of all-time. It was also their first season under a new GM and front office. Last season, the ChiSox “improved” to 60-102, their third straight season of triple-digit losses, but an amazing improvement of 19 games. Still, the fans on Chicago’s south side continued to complain very loudly about team owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who’s never been a fan favorite. Sound familiar?
This season, the Rockies, who also still have a new front office and an owner who isn’t a fan fave, are on pace to lose 97 games, which would be an improvement of 22 games.
None of this would be pointing in such a positive direction if Chicago was in the middle of yet another “rebuilding” season. But they aren’t. Instead, the White Sox sit six games above .500 and in first place in the American League Central Division. Now, it will be a disappointment if they don’t make the postseason… just two years after an all-time hideous campaign.
You can see where this is leading. There are obvious comparisons between the ChiSox and the Rockies.
There are also differences, of course. Chicago hired Will Venables, a veteran manager with a World Series ring, to lead them out of the darkness. The Rockies stuck with a relatively inexperienced company man in Warren Schaeffer. The inexperience of Schaeffer and his coaching staff continues to rear its ugly head from time to time, especially on the pitching side.
Still, the comps are still pretty interesting to look at. New GM Chris Getz is a 42-year-old former infielder who has brought analytics more into the equation. Despite being in a big market, the White Sox are a “build from within” outfit, and their farm system is now ranked the 8th-best in Major League Baseball.
That’s one place better than the 9th-ranked Colorado Rockies – the very definition of a “build from within” organization.
The upcoming MLB trade deadline will give us a better feel for how quickly the Rockies can return to even moderate contention in the National League. Remember, just getting to .500 – and the White Sox are fixing to blow past that mark in 2026 – puts a team in the Wild Card discussion.
Even this season, Colorado will be playing “meaningful games” in September. No, they won’t be challenging .500 down the stretch, but when they travel to the Windy City on September 25th to start the final three-game series of the season, the Rockies will not only be trying to make sure they don’t lose 100 games for the fourth consecutive season, but they’ll also be getting a up close and personal look at a team in a pennant race, and the team that should be their role model.
