The New York Mets lost 100 games in 1962, their inaugural season in Major League Baseball.
The 1962 Mets faced significant challenges as an expansion franchise, enduring a historically difficult first year. Their performance during this period set a notable benchmark for early struggles in the expansion era.
The Inaugural 1962 Season: A Challenging Debut
The 1962 New York Mets finished their first season with an overwhelming 120 losses, compiling a win-loss percentage of just .250. This marked one of the most difficult inaugural seasons for any professional sports team.
Key factors contributing to their record included:
- Pitching Struggles: The team's pitching staff posted a high 5.04 ERA, a mark that no other team would exceed for the next quarter-century. This highlights the severe difficulties they faced on the mound.
- Defensive Woes: The Mets committed 210 errors during the 1962 season, the most by any club in the Expansion Era (which began in 1961). This error total was also tied by the 1963 Mets, indicating persistent defensive issues in the team's early years.
Here's a quick look at their record-breaking inaugural season:
| Year | Total Losses | Win-Loss Percentage | Notable Struggles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 120 | .250 | 5.04 ERA, 210 Errors |
The 1962 team's struggle with 120 losses places them among teams that lost at least 110 games in a single season, an unfortunate distinction detailed by MLB.com. For more on historical team losses, you can refer to the official MLB website.
