Sunday, June 19, 2005

Worst Reds Team Ever

Could this be the worst Reds team ever. This morning, our winning percentage is .382, which projects to a 62-100 season. And a review of records confirms the instinct--in our history, we have rarely been this bad, and we're just a little slippage from being as bad as we ever were.

The 1982 team was the only other team to lose 100 games--their 61-101 record sets the franchise record for most losses in a season. Clearly, that record is in danger.

Percentage wise, we've had some worst seasons in years when the schedule was shorter. For example, here are the seasons below .400 in the NL Only.

1934 (.344)
1937 (.364)
1982, 1931 (.377)
1930 (.380)
2005,1933 (.382)
1932,1914 (.390)
1916 (.392)
1945 (.396)

In other words, based on today's record, the Reds have only had five worse seasons than the one they are having right now. And that just shouldn't be. But we shouldn't be under any illusions about how bad we are right now, because its very, very bad.

Not as bad, I might add, as when the Reds when from 1930-1934, with a winning % below 40% every year. That had to really suck. But we are historically bad for our franchise.

And we are, in my view, relatively healthy. What's missing is that our team went out and got players who are performing really badly.

By the way, that team had a guy named Si Johnson who was 7-22 with an ERA over 5, which was pretty bad in that era. Despite this, and thanks to the war, he pitched until he was 40--17 big league season...some of which were better than 1934 was for him.

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Not to pile on, because the Tigers will end up with a lot worse record than their current record, but how bad will this team be after it has traded the likes of Kent Mercker, one of these three players:Wily Mo, Jr. Griffey, or Kearns. I would also be far from surprised if another team took interest in Dave Weathers, too. I will be honest, I really like the Reds everyday players. Until they find away to shape a decent pitching staff winning is just way out of the question. I think once the Jr. Griffey albatross has been finally excised, the Reds will be able to go about their business of developing respectability. That and the impending and unhurried development of Homer Bailey will unquestionably help matters!