3 teams with the earliest calendar date elimination record in Wild Card or divisional era ft. White Sox in 2024, Orioles in 2018

The 2024 Chicago White Sox campaign has been a disaster from the start and now they hold the dubious record of the earliest elimination from postseason contention in MLB history.

The White Sox were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, ending any hope of the greatest comeback in history. After Chicago's historically early elimination from a shot at the postseason, here's a look at some of the worst seasons in the MLB since the Wild Card and divisional eras began.

Top 3 earliest playoff contention eliminations in MLB history

#3 - Detroit Tigers, August 22, 2003

Despite having a few stars on their roster such as Dmitri Young and Carlos Pena, the 2003 Detroit Tigers were the definition of a disasterclass. The Tigers struggled to produce anything during the 2003 campaign, finshing the year 29th in the MLB in terms of runs scored, while also finishing 29th in team ERA with a 5.30.

"Man for man, the greatest baseball force the world has ever known. The 2003 Detroit Tigers" - @tcarioscio

The Tigers' elimination from postseason contention came on Aug. 22. At the time, this was the all-time quickest elimination from playoff contention in the divisional era of the MLB.

#2 - Baltimore Orioles, August 20, 2018

The Detroit Tigers held on to the dubious record for the quickest elimination for 15 years before the Baltimore Orioles, perhaps unwilling, took the crown from them. The 2018 Baltimore Orioles could not get anything going for themselves despite having a true superstar in Manny Machado on the roster.

The Orioles finished the season with a dismal 47-115 record and were eliminated from the playoff picture on Aug. 20, 2018. Unsurprisingly, the Orioles traded Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers one month before their elimination, sparking their rebuild.

#1 - Chicago White Sox, August 17, 2024

Here we are with the 2024 Chicago White Sox. There's perhaps nothing more to say about the 2024 White Sox. After being a potential dark horse World Series contender in 2021, the organization has been steadily trading its veterans.

"The Chicago White Sox have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. No team has been eliminated at an earlier date since the MLB's divisional era began in 1969" - @DraftKings

Chicago's rebuild has been on over the past few seasons as the team traded away Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease.

Well, if the franchise was hoping to completely tear it down and start fresh, why not start building from the ground. After dropping to 30-94 on Saturday, the White Sox were eliminated from the playoff picture. Nowhere to go but up, right?