Were there people who came to that game specifically to see the team lose? Almost certainly. But there was clearly also a large group of supporters who loved the team and enjoyed spending time with them in the park.

There were common complaints — everyone who spoke to NBC News encouraged Jerry Reinsdorf to sell the team — but in the end, there was still loyalty among the Chicago faithful on what could have been an infamous night. Some fans even remained defiant.

“It hasn’t been a good season for us, but I’m still going to come,” said Lance Norton, who first went to games as a kid in 2004. ‘Everyone has their problems. Finally it’s our turn again. And when we get up again, I can talk as much as I want.

Chicago is on a downward spiral after back-to-back playoff appearances in 2020 and ’21. The 2022 season was respectable, as the team went 81-81 and finished second in the American League Central.

The following year, things took a turn. Despite giving outfielder Andrew Benintendi the richest contract in team history (five years, $75 million) and hiring Pedro Grifol as the new manager, the White Sox were pathetic, posting a 61-101 record in 2023. At the trade deadline, Chicago traded all the useful players it did throw away, but in return it didn’t exactly strengthen the farming system. The team fired general manager Rick Hahn and vice president Kenny Williams in August of that year, but promoted Chris Getz to head the front office.

This season, the Sox have put up shameful numbers after shameful numbers.

In a 50-game stretch ending September 3, Chicago went 5-45, the fourth-worst 50-game stretch in MLB history, and the worst 50-game stretch in over 100 years. (The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics went 4-46.) The White Sox have posted the most losses in franchise history, a mark they broke on September 1. They have had three separate losing streaks of 10 games or longer.

On August 5, Chicago lost its 21st straight game, another franchise record, becoming the first team since 1988 to lose at least 21 straight games. After winning nine games each in May and June, the team won a combined seven games in July and August.