Since 1883 something called the "bullpen" has been invented. So has somthing caled a "used car lot"; which is where a pitcher would find himself working if he ever lost half as many games. This is an untouchable reord.

This number will NEVER get that high again as far as pitching losses (single season) go.  Diffferent times, different era.  They must of had a pretty amebic bull pitching staff that year jeeeez.  I would have pulled him off the rotation after 13-15 losses. lol

If nothing else, if the guy has any living descendants, they can be assured that Johnny's claim to..well..infamy of a sort... is pretty safe, unless they force some guy from the Devil Rays to divide into three to five separate pitchers.

Coleman was a 20 year old rookie in 1883 when he played with the Phillies.

That year's edition was a truly awful team, even by the elastic standards of the Phillies, going 17 wins and 81 losses.

Coleman was the "ace" of the staff, winning 12 games and losing 48.

It should be noted that the list of single season losers is overwhelmingly dominated by 19th century pitchers. In a list of the top 108, only 8 are from the 20th century, and only 1 that pitched after the dead ball era.

With starting rotations and the fact that fans would murder somebody for half as many losses, this one is safe...