If the Orioles and Pirates finish over .500, who will be the new leader in futility?

[PeteU]

It's August, and both the Orioles and Pirates are over .500 and in the playoff mix. Neither team has finished over .500 in quite a long time--the Orioles' last winning season was 1997, and the Pirates was in 1992. Granted, both the O's and the Bucs are still succeptible to a late season collapse, but if they both manage to end up north of the .500 line, the question is, who is now baseball's most long suffering franchise in terms of consecutive losing seasons?

I know the Nationals haven't had a winning season since they've moved to DC, although they did hit .500 on the mark in 2005, and they are almost certain to end up with a winning season this year. The Astros have been pretty horrible the past few seasons, but it's easy to forget they were in the World Series only 7 years ago.

Would the Royals be the new standard bearer for futility?

(And I mean by futility in losing seasons, not postseason futility. Yes, we all know the Cubs haven't won a Series since 1908 or appeared in one since 1945. But they've graced us with several winning seasons here and there.)

[ian2813]

You are correct. If the Pirates, Orioles and Nationals finish above .500 the new futility leader will be the Royals, who last had a winning season in 2003. It'd be pretty impressive to say that in a ten-year span every team had a winning record at least once after all the poor stretches we've seen recently.

Just out of curiosity, has there ever been another ten-year span where every team had a winning record at least once? I'm guessing it's not as rare as one would think.

[KevinWI]

The Marlins look bad and despite Loria's promises that he would spend more on the team if they built him a new stadium, it looks like Jeff being Jeff in Miami so far. A shame considering that team's success early in its life.

Don't know what to expect from Houston. New ownership is obviously clearing the decks for the move to the AL, but we'll have to wait and see how they run the team.

As long as old man Glass is running the Royals, they'll be in the basement. I'm sorry, but Mr. Walmart sees the Royals as a giant tax deduction.

[PeteU]

The Marlins look bad and despite Loria's promises that he would spend more on the team if they built him a new stadium, it looks like Jeff being Jeff in Miami so far. A shame considering that team's success early in its life.

Don't know what to expect from Houston. New ownership is obviously clearing the decks for the move to the AL, but we'll have to wait and see how they run the team.

As long as old man Glass is running the Royals, they'll be in the basement. I'm sorry, but Mr. Walmart sees the Royals as a giant tax deduction.

To be fair, the Marlins did spend more in the off season. Unfortunately, their acquisitions went bust. (Well, to be fair, Reyes has had a good couple of weeks recently and Buerhle has been servicable, but stilll). I wouldn't call what you've seen from the Marlins as a fire sale, and if the team fires on all cylindars next year, it could be competitive.

[RaysFan_98]

It's August, and both the Orioles and Pirates are over .500 and in the playoff mix. Neither team has finished over .500 in quite a long time--the Orioles' last winning season was 1997, and the Pirates was in 1992. Granted, both the O's and the Bucs are still succeptible to a late season collapse, but if they both manage to end up north of the .500 line, the question is, who is now baseball's most long suffering franchise in terms of consecutive losing seasons?

I know the Nationals haven't had a winning season since they've moved to DC, although they did hit .500 on the mark in 2005, and they are almost certain to end up with a winning season this year. The Astros have been pretty horrible the past few seasons, but it's easy to forget they were in the World Series only 7 years ago.

Would the Royals be the new standard bearer for futility?

(And I mean by futility in losing seasons, not postseason futility. Yes, we all know the Cubs haven't won a Series since 1908 or appeared in one since 1945. But they've graced us with several winning seasons here and there.)

Next step for the O's is to see how they fare in the playoffs if they get in anyways. But the Royals and A's (There still suspect to me...) And Cubbies and astros

[ian2813]

The Marlins look bad and despite Loria's promises that he would spend more on the team if they built him a new stadium, it looks like Jeff being Jeff in Miami so far. A shame considering that team's success early in its life.

Don't know what to expect from Houston. New ownership is obviously clearing the decks for the move to the AL, but we'll have to wait and see how they run the team.

As long as old man Glass is running the Royals, they'll be in the basement. I'm sorry, but Mr. Walmart sees the Royals as a giant tax deduction.

I think this post was supposed to go in the "MR SELIG" thread.

[Tyrus4189Cobb]

The Royals have played poorly for the past few year. The Astros are going to be dominated next year in the AL West. Another team to make the overhyped Rangers look all that better.

[DiggerODell]

It shall be and always will be (until they blast off in October someday) the Cubs. 1908 . . . last World Series winner. Not being a fan of them I feel for the lives of their fandom who have been born and passed without a Championship.

[History Of Baseball Fan]

If the Orioles, Pirates and Nationals make it to the post season, would the Jays and Royals be the only teams in the wild card era to not make it?

[PeteU]

If the Orioles, Pirates and Nationals make it to the post season, would the Jays and Royals be the only teams in the wild card era to not make it?

Clarification--The O's did make it to the postseason in the wild card era, barely, in 96 and 97, respectively.

[PeteU]

Cross the O's off the list.....they officially got their 82nd win yesterday!

The Bucs, on the other hand, still trying to make it to the gate. I'd love to see them do it, though.

[PlanetZoltan]

I really, really, really hope the Pirates finish above .500. Ive been cheering them on all year.

[Cap78]

I still dont understand how with the 4th largest city in the country, the astros pay and play like a small market team

[Bothrops Atrox]

I still dont understand how with the 4th largest city in the country, the astros pay and play like a small market team

Only the 10th biggest market size, however.

[PlanetZoltan]

Only the 10th biggest market size, however.

Whats the distinction?