By worst start ever, I don't mean worst starting pitching performance ever, although I will undoubtedly write a blog post seeking to discover that exact thing. Rather, I'm talking about the worst start to the season that any team has ever had. Inspired by the 4-9 start to this Red Sox season (analyzed in depth here), I decided to highlight a team that was far worse through the first 13 games. And, for that matter, through the first three weeks of the season.
In 1988, people weren't exactly expecting great things out of the Orioles. The previous year, they had finished with a dismal 67-95 record, but I don't think anything prepared their fans for the start of the next season. Despite having Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Fred Lynn in their starting lineups, the Orioles got off to an 0-6 start, at which point manager Cal Ripken, Sr. was fired. Frank Robinson took over, but the losing streak continued. They didn't get their first win until April 29, after 21 straight losses to start the season. They had been swept in seven straight series, and finished April with a 1-22 record. By the end of the season though, they improved their record enough to finish 54-107, a mere 34.5 games out of first place.
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