CHICAGO The Chicago White Sox, who recently matched an American League record with a 21-game losing streak, have parted ways with manager Pedro Grifol and appointed former All-Star outfielder Grady Sizemore as the interim manager.
Grifol's dismissal was part of a broader shake-up announced by the White Sox on Thursday. The team, holding the worst record in the majors at 28-89, had just ended Major League Baseball's longest losing streak since 1988, when the Baltimore Orioles also lost 21 consecutive games.
In addition to Grifol, the White Sox also let go of bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third base coach Eddie Rodriguez, and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar.
The White Sox snapped their record-tying losing streak with a 5-1 win against the Athletics in Oakland on Tuesday night, only to lose a two-run lead in a 3-2 defeat the following day.
Pedro Grifol, 54, was hired in November 2022 following Tony La Russa's resignation due to health concerns. Grifol came in with a pledge to bring a sharper, more disciplined style of baseball, but that promise fell short as the White Sox regressed under his leadership. This was particularly evident last season when the team, despite having a more competitive roster, struggled significantly. Under Grifol's management, Chicago ended with a record of 89-190.
"As we all recognize, our team's performance this season has been disappointing on many levels," said White Sox general manager Chris Getz.
"Despite the challenges on the field and the lack of success, we want to acknowledge the effort and professionalism that Pedro and his staff brought to the ballpark every day. The past two seasons have been incredibly difficult, and while the results were not what we hoped for, we believe a change is necessary as we focus on the future and look to inject new energy into the team."
Sizemore, 42, joined Chicago's coaching staff earlier this year after previous stints as a minor-league instructor with the Guardians and a minor-league coach with the Diamondbacks.
A three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder, Sizemore had a 10-year major league career with Cleveland, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, and Boston.
The White Sox also announced that Doug Sisson will serve as bench coach, Justin Jirschele as third base coach, and Mike Gellinger as assistant hitting coach for the remainder of the season.
Grifol's first year as manager was marked by clubhouse issues and mounting losses, leading to the dismissal of top executives Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn.
Following midseason and winter trades, including the deal that sent ace pitcher Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres, the White Sox were not expected to contend for the postseason in 2024. However, no one anticipated they would flirt with the dubious distinction of challenging the 1962 New York Mets, who lost 120 games, the most in a single season in the modern era (since 1900)."
Earlier this season, the White Sox endured a separate 14-game losing streak, during which manager Pedro Grifol made headlines by bluntly criticizing his team. After a 4-1 loss to Baltimore in May, where Orioles starter Kyle Bradish shut them out for seven innings, Grifol didn't mince words, saying his players were "f---ing flat."
The White Sox had made the playoffs in 2020 and captured the AL Central title in 2021, but things have unraveled since. Tony La Russa stepped down after a .500 season in 2022, and Grifol was brought in to replace him. Grifol, a former minor league catcher with four seasons of managing experience in the Seattle Mariners' system, had spent 10 years in various coaching roles with the Kansas City Royals from 2013 to 2022.
Last season, the White Sox were among the worst-hitting teams in baseball, leading to the August firings of executives Ken Williams and Rick Hahn. Although Grifol retained his position after Chris Getz was promoted to GM, the team’s struggles have continued.
In the offseason, relievers Aaron Bummer and Gregory Santos were traded, followed by Dylan Cease being sent to San Diego in March. To compound matters, All-Star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. and key hitters Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez were sidelined by significant injuries early in the season, leaving Grifol with little to work with on Chicago’s South Side.
The White Sox have struggled with underwhelming performances from first baseman Andrew Vaughn, the third overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft, and veteran outfielder Andrew Benintendi, who signed a five-year, $75 million contract for the 2023 season.
At last week's trade deadline, the White Sox held on to key players like Luis Robert and ace pitcher Garrett Crochet but traded Eloy Jiménez to Baltimore, pitcher Tanner Banks to Philadelphia, and infielder Paul DeJong to Kansas City.
The team is on track for its sixth 100-loss season, marking the first time in franchise history this would happen in consecutive years. Their worst-ever winning percentage (.325) was set in 1932, with a 49-102-1 record, and the 2024 squad is on pace to surpass that dismal mark.
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