The White Sox lost their 114th game of the season Wednesday, their 15th in a row at Guaranteed Rate Field and their 26th in the last 27 games before their home fans.
Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who publicly had stayed silent while receiving multiple requests from media throughout the season, finally made himself heard, releasing a statement after the Sox’ 6-4 loss to the Guardians.
‘‘Everyone in this organization is extremely unhappy with the results of this season; that goes without saying,’’ Reinsdorf said. ‘‘This year has been very painful for all, especially our fans. We did not arrive here overnight, and solutions won’t happen overnight, either. Going back to last year, we have made difficult decisions and changes to begin building a foundation for future success.
‘‘What has impressed me is how our players and staff have continued to work and bring a professional attitude to the ballpark each day despite a historically difficult season. No one is happy with the results, but I commend the continued effort.
‘‘I expect to have more to say at the end of the season.’’
The Sox are six losses away from tying the 1962 Mets’ modern-era record of 120 defeats in a season. They must finish 10-5 to avoid the dubious distinction that is all but inevitable.
Reinsdorf fired executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn last season and promoted assistant GM Chris Getz to GM, making him the primary decision-maker. Reinsdorf said 2023 was ‘‘the worst season I’ve ever been through.’’
‘‘It was a nightmare; it’s still a nightmare,’’ he said on Aug. 31, 2023. ‘‘It’s embarrassing. It’s disgusting. All the bad words you can think of is the way I feel about the 2023 season. It absolutely was just awful.’’
The Sox went on to finish 61-101 under first-year manager Pedro Grifol, who was given a team that was expected to win.
While Reinsdorf said in his statement that solutions would take time, he said last year that he hired Getz, rather than look outside the organization, because he owed it to the fans to get better ‘‘as fast as we can.’’
‘‘Speed is of the essence,’’ Reinsdorf said then. ‘‘I don’t want this to be a long-term proposition.’’
Less than a year later, however, Getz had to fire Grifol on Aug. 8 when the Sox were buried at 28-89, shortly after they lost 21 games in a row to tie the American League record.
Dealing pitchers Erick Fedde and Michael Kopech and hitters Eloy Jimenez and Tommy Pham at the trade deadline thinned a roster already ill-equipped to compete with others in the majors even more.
The Sox are 6-43 since the All-Star break, and now the path toward the Mets’ record is attracting national media to cover the team. More coverage is expected when the 120-loss mark could be broken next week.
Reinsdorf, 88, regularly is seen attending games in his suite at Guaranteed Rate Field. He has been aware of the record and feared seeing it broken under his watch for weeks. He also has looked on as fans wear bags over their heads at games and display SELL THE TEAM banners — before they are confiscated.
‘‘Everyone in there is aware of where we’re at from a record [standpoint],’’ interim manager Grady Sizemore said Wednesday. ‘‘If you’re sitting there only focused on the negative, you’re probably going to have negative outcomes. It doesn’t do us any good to sit here and be like, ‘We have to win this many games to avoid whatever.’ We have to compete every night.’’
Reinsdorf is right about this being a painful season. And he’s not wrong about the players and staff working through it.
‘‘Guys show up every day, go through their routines, come ready to compete and fight for each other, as well,’’ right-hander Chris Flexen said Wednesday. ‘‘We just got the s— end of the stick.’’
Reinsdorf’s paying customers would say the same thing.