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The 10 worst losing streaks in sports history

By
Social Links for Justin Terranova
Published March 28, 2014, 12:18 p.m. ET

Tanking or not, this is getting ugly.

On Thursday night, the 76ers lost to the Rockets for their 26th straight defeat, tying an NBA record. Here is a list of all-time skids they are bound to join, we just don’t know where because the losing streak is still in progress. The potential record-breaker is in Philadelphia on Saturday night against the so-so Pistons.

  1. 1. Baltimore Orioles, 21 games, 1988

    orioles
    AP

    They get the top spot because it was a season-opening losing streak. They fired manager Cal Ripken Sr. at 0-6, and it took replacement Frank Robinson (seen here trying to remove a camera from the Orioles dugout) another 16 games to get the team’s first win, which came against the White Sox.  

  2. 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 26 games, 1976-77

    mccay
    AP

    This is head coach John McCay before the first game in Buccaneers history. It would take almost two seasons to get their first win.

  3. 3. Vancouver Grizzlies, 23 games, 1995-96

    Bryant Reeves
    AP

    Why is this higher than some of the longer NBA losing streaks? Because it happened in the same season they had a 19-game losing streak. That was a tough start for No.1 pick Bryant “Big Country” Reeves.

  4. 4. Prairie View A&M, 80 games, 1989-98

    praire
    AP

    The Panthers went almost a decade without a victory before finally knocking off Division I-AA powerhouse Langston. This is actually a celebration shot after the 14-12 win. 

  5. 5. Winnipeg Jets, 30-game winless streak, 1980-81

    The Jets crushed the Blackhawks 6-2 on Oct. 17, moving to 1-2 on the season. Their next win wouldn’t come until Dec. 23 over the Rockies. In between were 23 losses and seven ties. Please enjoy this video of team captain Morris Lukowich fighting the Bruins’ Keith Crowder.

  6. 6. Cleveland Cavaliers, 26 games, 2010-11

    They are only so far down because of the pity points awarded due to the LeBron James hangover. The highlights above come from their 26th straight loss. They got off the schneid in the next game against the Clippers in overtime.

  7. 7. Detroit Lions, 19 games, 2008-09

    This was a low point for a franchise that has experienced many in its history. On the bright side, it did lead to the firing of inept GM Matt Millen. The amazing highlight video above says more than we ever could. 

  8. 8. Caltech, 310-game conference losing streak, 1985-2010

    This deserves a little bit of an asterisk because there obviously were wins in between, but 26 years and 310 losses has to be somewhere on this list. In fairness, the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is considered the Pac-12 of Division III hoops. Above is the video of the Beavers breaking the streak against Occidental and celebrating accordingly.

  9. 9. Philadelphia Phillies, 23 games, 1961

    phillies
    Willie Mays sliding into third against the Phillies. AP

    The 1889 Louisville Colonels — losers off 26 in a row — were let off the hook, and we’ll stick to 1900 and beyond. Enter the 1961 Phillies, who hold the modern record of 23 straight losses on their way to a 47-107 season (a mere 46 games behind the first-place Reds).

  10. 10. Pittsburgh Penguins, 18 games, 2003-2004

    KRAFT KOSTOPOULOS TARNSTROM OLCZYK
    AP

    This is what happened between Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby. Ed Olczyk does not seem happy with whatever loss he is coaching the team through.