PITTSBURGH — In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn’t make a whit of difference if the PiratesThis season ended with 99 losses and 101 losses. They knew long ago they would finish in the NL Central basement.
100 is a large, round number. And people are struck by big, round numbers — especially when it happens in back-to-back years.
Tuesday’s game was marred by a 4 run deficit. The Pirates lost 8-7 to the Tigers. CardinalsIn 10 innings. This was their 100th loss of this season. It came on the heels of a 61–101 record last year.
In 1887, the Pirates joined National League. Since then, they’ve endured 100-loss seasons 10 times. This happened once in consecutive years, in 1953 (50-104) as well as 1954 (53-101).
The clubhouse was quiet after the game. Few players stayed at their lockers after the game. Many of the players left the stadium by slipping out of the side doorways.
Relief Chase De JongHe was an exception. He was furious at himself for giving up and sat in his locker. Juan Yepez’ game-winning RBI single and agonizing over another season that went so wrong, so fast.
One hundred losses.
“If you’re in this room and you’re not pissed off at having lost 100 games, then I would question your motives for being here,” De Jong said. “You should be pissed off. It is important that you take this personal. I know I do.”
One hundred losses.
