1889 Louisville Colonels (27-111-2) 5

The ghastly record obviously indicates a putrid team, though what's strange is that this team featured Pete Browning, a bona-fide star of the era and a great hitter though a truly terrible fielder- and several other decent players who a person with an interest in 19th century baseball would probably recognize, such as pitcher Red Ehret and the oddly named 3rd baseman Chicken Wolf. This team played in the American Association, a major league that lasted from 1882-1891. This was a tumultuous era in baseball, as the players were angered by an early form of the salary cap, and formed a league of their own the next year which lasted for only one season. There were 3 major leagues in 1890, and players were moving from place to place. All 3 leagues were watered down, and with a mostly different cast, Louisville actually won their league in '90, but the A.A. folded after the '91 season. A very, very bad club, probably amongst the 4-6 worst clubs ever.