Despite bursting out of the gate with an 0-21 record, these guys weren't as bad as they seemed. Their young players showed signs of turning it around by seasons end and they went on to finish second in 1989

Probably the worst single season team of the 80's, and among the worst since I began following the game in the late 70's. On paper, this bunch didn't look so bad- they still had Ripken and Murray, plus some familiar names like an at the end of the line Fred Lynn and, until they traded him in mid season, Mike Boddicker. The team had a lot of youngsters and surprised everybody the following year by coming in 2nd place in their division. In '88, they got off to an unprecedented 0-21 start, and had a truly dismal season. Cal Ripken Sr. got fired and was replaced by HOF'er Frank Robinson. Though a terrible club, there was actually a fair amount of talent on this team, and I wouldn't regard them as among the very worst ever.

Starting off the season 0-21 doesn't help your cause.