From 2011 to '13, the Houston Astros averaged 108 losses per season. Then they had seasons of 70, 86 and 84 wins before breaking out for 101 victories and a World Series title in 2017.
We now know that championship might have come with controversy, though.
A's pitcher Mike Fiers, who was on the Astros' championship team, told The Athletic in November that Houston used a camera in center field to relay signs during that championship season. While the Astros have been relatively quiet as MLB investigates the situation, shortstop Carlos Correa recently reacted to Fiers' comments.