Every new team goes through growing pains. Such is the case with the Empire State Greys, a traveling team in the Frontier League in its first year of existence. Created when the Southern Illinois Miners ceased operations after the 2021 season, the Greys roster is comprised of members of the Empire Professional Baseball League, a four team independent league based in New York and New Hampshire.
Although the Greys do not have a place to call home and have the disadvantage of being on the road every night, one would imagine that they would eventually find success. That has not been the case as they have begun their professional journey with 32 consecutive losses.
Empire State Greys make history 32 games into existence
At least the Greys can take solace in the fact that they have made professional history. They passed the 1875 Brooklyn Atlantics of the National Association who lost their first 31 games that season.
Following in the Atlantics’ footsteps is not a positive. While they had an impressive history as one of the more dominant amateur clubs of their time, they never had a winning record in the NA. Their 1875 season was particularly awful as they ended the year with a 2-42 record.
It is easy to see why the Greys have struggled. They are last in the Frontier League in runs, hits, doubles, homers, batting average, on base percentage, slugging, and ERA. Three players have hit more than one home run while only four of the 28 different pitchers they have used have an ERA below 5.00, regardless of how many innings they have pitched.
One has to imagine that better days will be ahead. The Greys cannot lose every game they play. And that first victory will be that much sweeter after the adversity they have faced. At this point, they are just hoping that win comes soon.
It has not taken long for the Empire State Greys to make professional baseball history. However, they would not mind losing that record.