If you're a Royals fan, the 1962 Mets likely have been in the back of your mind at some point.
Well, maybe not the Mets, but their modern-day record of 120 losses. While the 1899 Cleveland Spiders have the all-time record for losses (20-134 record), it came under unique circumstances. Their owner had sent the best players, including 25-game winner Cy Young, to the other team he owned, the St. Louis Browns, and set the Spiders up for failure.
So in the minds of most, the Mets' 120-loss season is the benchmark of sorts for a bad team.