If you spent any time watching baseball on the South Side lately, you know it hasn't exactly been a picnic. Honestly, "rough" doesn't even begin to cover it. We’re looking back at a season that felt like a long, slow climb out of a very deep hole. When people ask about the white sox record last year, the short answer is 60-102.
Yeah. 102 losses.
But here’s the thing: after the absolute train wreck of 2024—where the team set a modern-era record with 121 losses—60 wins actually felt like a bit of a pulse. It’s weird to say a 100-loss season is an "improvement," but in the context of where this franchise was, it was at least a step toward sanity. New manager Will Venable took over a clubhouse that was essentially a construction site, and while the wins didn't pile up, the vibe was undeniably different.
Breaking Down the 2025 White Sox Record Last Year
You've got to look at the numbers to see the "progress," even if it’s buried under a mountain of Ls. The team finished 5th in the AL Central. No surprise there. They were 28 games out of first place, watching the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers battle it out at the top of the division.
The Monthly Grind
The season didn't start great. It kind of just... stayed consistent.
- April/May: The team struggled to find an identity. Pitching was hit or miss.
- The "High" Point: On August 2nd, the Sox beat the Angels 1-0. That win was huge because it meant they officially surpassed their total win count from the previous year.
- The Clincher: On August 20th, they lost 1-0 to the Braves, which officially marked their third straight losing season.
- The End: They were eliminated from playoff contention on September 6th.
It’s easy to look at 60-102 and scoff. But remember, this team went 41-121 the year before. They won 19 more games. In baseball terms, that’s actually a massive swing in win percentage, even if you’re still at the bottom of the barrel.
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The Will Venable Effect
Taking the job after a 121-loss season takes a specific kind of person. Most guys would run the other way. Will Venable, coming off a World Series ring as an associate manager with the Rangers, stepped in and basically had to teach a young roster how to be professionals again.
He talked a lot about communication. He played for nine seasons himself, so he knows when a manager is blowing smoke. Honestly, the players seemed to respond. You didn't see the same "deer in the headlights" look that defined the Pedro Grifol era. They were still losing, sure, but they were competitive in games they would have been blown out of in '24.
Who Actually Showed Up?
If you’re looking for silver linings in the white sox record last year, you have to look at the kids. The front office finally stopped holding back the prospects.
Lenyn Sosa's Breakout
Lenyn Sosa was basically the MVP of the team. He led in almost every offensive category that mattered.
- Average: .264 (doesn't sound like much, but on this team, it was gold).
- Power: 22 home runs.
- Production: 75 RBIs.
He played 140 games and stayed healthy. For a team that has struggled with consistency at second base for a decade, Sosa finally looked like a permanent fixture.
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The Power Duo: Montgomery and Vargas
Colson Montgomery finally made the jump. There was so much hype around this kid, and he didn't disappoint in the power department, hitting 21 homers. Miguel Vargas, who came over in that massive trade with the Dodgers involving Erick Fedde and Michael Kopech, also chipped in 16 bombs.
Pitching: A Work in Progress
The staff ERA was 4.27. That’s 20th in the league. Not great, but not the catastrophe we saw previously.
- Davis Martin: He managed 7 wins, which, given the lack of run support, is practically a Cy Young performance.
- Shane Smith: He was the strikeout king for the Sox with 145 K’s.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Season
The biggest misconception is that the White Sox are still the "worst team ever." They aren't. That title belongs to the 2024 squad.
The 2025 season was a palate cleanser. It was about flushing the system. They shed the veteran contracts that weren't going anywhere and leaned into a youth movement. Luis Robert Jr. stayed on the roster despite constant trade rumors, providing some veteran stability and swiping 33 bases. Andrew Benintendi actually hit 20 homers, which was a nice surprise given his power disappearance in previous years.
People also forget that the AL Central got surprisingly tough. The Tigers and Royals are no longer doormats. The Sox were playing in a much more competitive environment than they were five years ago.
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The Financial Reality on the South Side
Jerry Reinsdorf is still the owner. Chris Getz is still the GM. That hasn't changed. Fans are still frustrated, and attendance showed it—only about 1.4 million people passed through the gates at Guaranteed Rate Field. That’s 13th out of 15 teams in the American League.
The "Rate" (or whatever we're calling the stadium these days) felt empty a lot of nights. But there’s a sense that the payroll is being cleared to actually build something sustainable. Whether you believe that or not depends on how much you trust the current front office.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Looking at the white sox record last year, it’s clear the rebuild isn't over. Not even close. But the "infamous" part of the losing streak seems to be in the rearview mirror.
If you're a Sox fan, you're looking at 2026 as the year the wins need to start hitting the 70s. You want to see Noah Schultz, their top pitching prospect, make a real impact. You want to see if Munetaka Murakami (the Japanese superstar they signed) can actually translate his power to the South Side.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this team, keep your eyes on these three things:
- The Rotation: They need a true ace. Right now, it's a bunch of #4 starters. Watch the trade market or the development of Hagen Smith.
- The Infield: With Montgomery and Sosa, the middle of the diamond is set. The question is whether Andrew Vaughn can ever turn into the 30-homer guy they drafted him to be.
- The Bullpen: It was a revolving door last year. Until they find a lockdown closer, 100-loss seasons are always a threat.
The reality is that 60-102 is a bad record. But in the weird world of Chicago baseball, it was the first sign of life we've seen in a long time. It wasn't pretty, but it was a start.
Key Next Steps for Following the Team
To stay ahead of the curve for the upcoming season, start monitoring the minor league injury reports for Birmingham and Charlotte. The 2026 roster will depend heavily on whether the next wave of arms—specifically Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith—can stay healthy through Spring Training. Additionally, keep an eye on the waiver wire activity from Chris Getz; the team's strategy has shifted toward claiming high-upside young players (like the recent Drew Romo claim) rather than signing aging veterans. Tracking these smaller transactions will give you a better idea of the team's actual direction than the win-loss column will in the short term.