Wednesday (The significance of 100 losses and a Punto update) edition: Wha' Happened?

Good times.

September 28, 2011 at 3:25PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

As you know, the Twins need to win tonight in the regular-season finale to avoid losing 100 games for just the second time in franchise history. But while 100 losses signifies a round number and a benchmark of futility, does it doom an organization for years to come? That was the question we asked as we took a quick look at teams from 2001-2010 who lost 100 games. Here is the full list:

2010: Pittsburgh (57-105) and Seattle (61-101) 2009: Washington (59-103) 2008: Washington (59-103) and Seattle (61-101) 2007: none 2006: Tampa Bay (61-101) and Kansas City (62-100) 2005: KC (56-106) 2004: Arizona (51-111) and KC (58-104) 2003: Detroit (43-119) 2002: Tampa (55-106), Detroit (55-106), Milwaukee (56-106) and KC (62-100) 2001: Tampa (62-100) and Pittsburgh (62-100) Of particular note: *Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Washington and Seattle have not sniffed the playoffs during this span, when they have a combined 10 seasons with 100 losses or more. *But perhaps surprisingly, several teams bounced back reasonably quickly from the century mark to reach the postseason. The Rays' most recent 100-loss season was 2006; two years later, they were in the World Series. They also made the playoffs last year and could make it again this year. The Diamondbacks lost 100 in 2004; three years later, they were in the NLCS, and this year they have already clinched a division title. The Tigers bottomed out in 2003; in 2006 they went to the World Series, and this year they are going to win the AL Central. It took the Brewers six years (2002 to 2008) to make the playoffs after their most recent 100-loss season, but they are also going this year. We know each team had its own set of circumstances. The main takeaway from this -- at least in terms of what surprised us -- is that it's possible to climb back to the playoffs from a 100-loss season in two or three years. None of those teams, however, made the postseason the year after a 100-loss season. FAIRNESS IN PUNTO ACT We received an e-mail yesterday after our Nick Punto head-first post from a reader we shall only identify as E.O. Here is what it said: As you well know, it took the inadequate play of the entire Cardinals team to lose to the worst team in major league baseball: (no, not the Twins), the Houston Astros. I truly do not understand this unremitting vindictiveness against Nick Punto, whether it is meant in jest or not. You all need to to go under intensive psychoanalysis to find out what the root cause of this is. While we might not agree with the intensive psychoanalysis part -- Punto did, as noted, foolishly dive head-first into first base, potentially costing the Cardinals the game -- we feel it is our duty to mention LNP went 4-for-5 with a home run last night, helping the Cardinals pull even with the Braves in the Wild Card chase. In limited action this season, Punto now has an OPS of .808 -- nearly 100 points higher than the Twins' $184 million man, Joe Mauer (.729). Well played, Punto.

about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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