Aug. 18, 1961 - The Philadelphia Phillies set a modern major league record for futility with their 21st consecutive defeat today, a 4-1 loss to Milwaukee. Stopped on six hits by Lew Burdette, the Phils now are within three defeats of the overall record of 24 straight set by Cleveland, then in the National League, in 1889. The Phils erased the previous modern mark of 20 set by the Boston Red Sox in 1906, the Philadelphia Athletics in 1916, and the Athletics again in 1943. Phillies Manager Gene Mauch (pictured), searching for rose petals in this pigsty of a season, said that the long losing streak would bond the players and pay off down the road.
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