I'm a Loser, Baby
1 of 12
Who unsuccessfully ran for President of the United States six times as a candidate of the Socialist Party of America?
Allan Benson
Norman Thomas
Eugene Debs
Darlington Hoopes
ANSWER: Debs’ presidential campaigns were certainly noteworthy in their futility; he ran five times, including once from prison. However, after his death, Thomas picked up Debs’ torch and unsuccessfully ran in six straight elections from 1928 to 1948. Debs’ presidential campaigns were certainly noteworthy in their futility; he ran five times, including once from prison. However, after his death, Thomas picked up Debs’ torch and unsuccessfully ran in six straight elections from 1928 to 1948.
2 of 12
What Major League Baseball pitcher holds the record for most career losses?
Paul Gavin
Cy Young
Nolan Ryan
Walter Johnson
ANSWER: Don’t feel too bad for Young. Although he can claim this ignominious record, it’s mostly the product of playing for a long time; he also holds the MLB career record for wins with 511. The other choices here round out the all-time top four for losers. Don’t feel too bad for Young. Although he can claim this ignominious record, it’s mostly the product of playing for a long time; he also holds the MLB career record for wins with 511. The other choices here round out the all-time top four for losers.
3 of 12
What artist holds the records for most Grammy nominations without a win?
Joe Satriani
Alan Parsons
Paul Westerberg
Boz Scaggs
ANSWER: The bald guitar virtuoso Satriani has racked up 14 Grammy nominations without garnering a single win. Only Susan Lucci knows his pain. The bald guitar virtuoso Satriani has racked up 14 Grammy nominations without garnering a single win. Only Susan Lucci knows his pain.
4 of 12
What college holds the record for the longest losing streak in NCAA Division I-A Football?
Northwestern
Duke
Vanderbilt
Baylor
ANSWER: The Wildcats’ skid began in 1979 and ended 34 games later when Dennis Green coached them to a win over Northern Illinois in 1982. Things got so bad in the midst of the streak that Northwestern fans ripped down their own goalposts after a 61-14 loss to Michigan State. The Wildcats’ skid began in 1979 and ended 34 games later when Dennis Green coached them to a win over Northern Illinois in 1982. Things got so bad in the midst of the streak that Northwestern fans ripped down their own goalposts after a 61-14 loss to Michigan State.
5 of 12
In 1916 Georgia Tech won the most lopsided game in college football history by a score of 222-0. What school was the loser?
Duke
Cumberland
Washington and Lee
Wofford
ANSWER: Cumberland had discontinued its football program for the season, but forgot to cancel a scheduled match with the Georgia Tech Engineers. Tech coach John Heisman refused to let Cumberland out of the game, though, because the Bulldogs’ baseball squad had hammered the Tech 22-0 the previous year. Heisman pointed out that Cumberland owed $3,000 if they didn’t show for the game, so Cumberland scraped together a team of 14 players. Tech led 63-0 after the first quarter, 126-0 at half, and scored twelve touchdowns on defense and special teams in what was known as the “Game of the Century.” Cumberland had discontinued its football program for the season, but forgot to cancel a scheduled match with the Georgia Tech Engineers. Tech coach John Heisman refused to let Cumberland out of the game, though, because the Bulldogs’ baseball squad had hammered the Tech 22-0 the previous year. Heisman pointed out that Cumberland owed $3,000 if they didn’t show for the game, so Cumberland scraped together a team of 14 players. Tech led 63-0 after the first quarter, 126-0 at half, and scored twelve touchdowns on defense and special teams in what was known as the “Game of the Century.”
6 of 12
What active NFL franchise has amassed the most losses in its history?
The Philadelphia Eagles
The Detroit Lions
The Arizona Cardinals
The New York Giants
ANSWER: Don’t let anyone tell you the Cardinals don’t do anything well. Nobody can lose quite like the Cards can. Since 1920, the Chicago/St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals have racked up 667 losses. That’s 114 more than the next-closest team, the Detroit Lions with 553. They’re followed by the Eagles (524) and the Giants (506). Don’t let anyone tell you the Cardinals don’t do anything well. Nobody can lose quite like the Cards can. Since 1920, the Chicago/St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals have racked up 667 losses. That’s 114 more than the next-closest team, the Detroit Lions with 553. They’re followed by the Eagles (524) and the Giants (506).
7 of 12
According to Reuters, what sitcom holds the record for most Emmy nominations without a win?
Newhart
Good Times
The Larry Sanders Show
Maude
ANSWER: Bob Newhart had no luck. Despite garnering 25 Emmy nominations over an eight-year run, his show never took home a single statue. Bob Newhart had no luck. Despite garnering 25 Emmy nominations over an eight-year run, his show never took home a single statue.
8 of 12
The mountain Loser is located in what country?
Australia
New Zealand
Germany
Austria
ANSWER: Loser mountain rises 1838 meters above sea level and is an important destination in Austrian skiing. Its southern slope also houses the largest solar power station in the Alps. Loser mountain rises 1838 meters above sea level and is an important destination in Austrian skiing. Its southern slope also houses the largest solar power station in the Alps.
9 of 12
Who holds the record for most losses at the Academy Awards?
Richard Burton
Peter O'Toole
Walt Disney
John Williams
ANSWER: Composer Williams has won five Oscars for scoring Fiddler on the Roof, Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., and Schindler’s List. However, he’s been nominated 45 times, so he’s got 40 losses to his credit. Walt Disney and composer Alfred Newman are tied for second with 36 losses apiece. Composer Williams has won five Oscars for scoring Fiddler on the Roof, Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., and Schindler’s List. However, he’s been nominated 45 times, so he’s got 40 losses to his credit. Walt Disney and composer Alfred Newman are tied for second with 36 losses apiece.
10 of 12
The 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers were the biggest losers in NBA history. What was their record that season?
5-77
8-74
9-73
11-71
ANSWER: Behind the strength of Fred Carter’s 20 points a game, the mighty Sixers stumbled to a 9-73 record. Behind the strength of Fred Carter’s 20 points a game, the mighty Sixers stumbled to a 9-73 record.
11 of 12
Beck’s 1993 hit single “Loser” is built around a sample of a cover song recorded by what artist?
Johnny Jenkins
George Harrison
John Oates
Neil Young
ANSWER: Beck’s slacker anthem is based on a sample of Johnny Jenkins’ cover of Dr. John’s “I Walk on Gilded Splinters.” Beck’s slacker anthem is based on a sample of Johnny Jenkins’ cover of Dr. John’s “I Walk on Gilded Splinters.”
12 of 12
What NCAA school just set a record for most losses in a basketball season by a Division I team by posting a perfect 0-29 record?
Canisius
Detroit
Maryland-Eastern Shore
New Jersey Institute of Technology
ANSWER: The mighty Highlanders of NJIT dropped all 29 of their games this season, which can happen when you make more turnovers (577) than field goals (550). Their futile campaign broke the previous record for most losses in a winless season held by Prairie View (TX) and Savannah State with 0-28 marks.
Now head over to the mental_floss blog and let us know how you did. The mighty Highlanders of NJIT dropped all 29 of their games this season, which can happen when you make more turnovers (577) than field goals (550). Their futile campaign broke the previous record for most losses in a winless season held by Prairie View (TX) and Savannah State with 0-28 marks.
Now head over to the mental_floss blog and let us know how you did.
