The Philadelphia Phillies' World Series wins have long been associated with economic downturns, leading some to believe in a tenuous connection between the two. While correlation does not imply causation, the coincidence of these events raises interesting observations.
In 1980, the Phillies' first World Series win was followed by a 16-month recession [89c6d12b]. Similarly, in 2008, when the Phillies won the World Series, the US was already in the midst of the Great Recession, and the economic situation worsened afterwards [89c6d12b]. The Philadelphia Athletics' World Series win in 1929 was also followed by the onset of the Great Depression [89c6d12b].
However, it is important to note that these instances are just a few among the declared recessions since the Great Depression, and the Phillies' wins have not consistently correlated with economic downturns. In fact, most years when the Phillies don't win the World Series, there isn't a recession [ea994fdd].
While some analysts and economists argue that the Phillies' performance on the baseball field does not have a significant impact on the overall economy, the superstition persists [89c6d12b]. The article suggests that America might have a vested interest in preventing the trophy from ending up in Philadelphia [89c6d12b]. However, it is important to approach this connection with caution, as correlation does not imply causation.
In addition to the Phillies, another team that defied expectations and achieved World Series success was the 1924 Washington Senators. Known for their losing record, the Senators won the 1924 World Series title in an improbable season [adb995e4]. Led by player-manager Bucky Harris, ace pitcher Walter Johnson, and outfielder Goose Goslin, the team overcame a slow start to win 92 games [adb995e4]. Gary Sarnoff's book, 'Team of Destiny: Walter Johnson, Clark Griffith, Bucky Harris and the 1924 Washington Senators,' chronicles the team's remarkable journey [adb995e4].
The book provides a detailed account of the season, including off-field happenings and game recaps. Harris became the youngest manager in major league baseball after being offered the managerial job by owner Clark Griffith [adb995e4]. The team's success during the pennant race and World Series run generated enthusiasm among fans in Washington, D.C. [adb995e4]. Walter Johnson, who planned to retire after the 1924 season, led the team with a 23-7 record and a 2.72 ERA [adb995e4]. The Senators clinched the pennant and won the World Series in a 4-3, 12th-inning triumph over the heavily favored New York Giants [adb995e4].
The connection between Phillies' World Series wins and economic downturns is a subject of debate and superstition, with no clear consensus among experts [89c6d12b] [ea994fdd]. The success of the 1924 Washington Senators adds another layer to the discussion, highlighting the unpredictable nature of sports and its impact on the collective psyche of a city [adb995e4].
The Chicago White Sox tied a 100-year-old single-season losing streak record with a 13-game losing streak after losing to the Chicago Cubs in the Crosstown Classic series. The previous record was set in August 1924. The White Sox were handed the loss by a Mike Tauchman walk-off home run at Wrigley Field. This is not the longest losing streak in White Sox history, as the 1967-68 White Sox lost 15 games between two seasons. The MLB record for consecutive, single-season losses is 23, set by the Phillies in 1961. The Orioles hold the American League record for consecutive losses with 21 games in 1988. Pedro Grifol, the White Sox manager, addressed speculation about his job status, saying that it comes with the territory when a team is in a historic losing streak.