Could the White Sox reunite with a member of their ’05 World Series team?
As first reported by 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine, third-base coach Willie Harris and the Cubs have mutually parted ways. Harris is still open for work elsewhere around the league, making him a name to watch given the White Sox’s situation.
Harris has served on the Cubs coaching staff since 2021 when he was hired by then-manager David Ross. The 46-year-old remained as the third base coach after Craig Counsell was hired in November 2023. The decision to go separate ways comes as first-base coach Mike Napoli and assistant hitting coach Jim Adduci were also dismissed, allowing Counsell to form his own staff after an 83-79 first season.
Many White Sox fans remember Harris for his time on the South Side, where he played four of his 12 major league seasons (2002-05). Versatility and speed were his biggest strengths, as he appeared all around the diamond during his tenure. Perhaps his most memorable moment came in Game 4 of the ’05 World Series when he notched a pinch-hit single and later scored on a game-winning RBI single by Jermaine Dye.
During the past few White Sox managerial searches, Harris has not been shy about wanting to take the next step in his coaching career. In October 2022, he spoke with Gorden Wittenmeyer and expressed his interest in the position.
“I don’t know what their plans are,” Harris said. “You have to wait and see. I think I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do. I’ve checked all the boxes. Went through the minor leagues. I’ve done everything. My resumé speaks for itself. I feel like I’m ready for the opportunity. Now, you just have to wait.”
Harris echoed a similar sentiment this past August after Pedro Grifol was dismissed.
“I’m grateful to be where I am and I’m happy. Things are going well,” Harris told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. “But yeah, I would love to be the manager for the Chicago White Sox. I think it has a ring to it.
“I would absolutely love it if they showed interest in me being the leader of this organization, this team. But I also understand how it goes. It’s a waiting process. If they call, great, I’ll be ready. I’ll be prepared. If they don’t, I’m in a pretty good spot where I am right now.”
Following the decision to move on from Rick Renteria in 2020, the White Sox met with Harris that October as part of their previous managerial search. Tony La Russa was ultimately hired in a controversial move, and Harris landed the gig as the Cubs’ third base coach just a few months later.
It’s unclear if the White Sox ever met with Harris after La Russa’s retirement, as the former World Series champion discussed not hearing from the organization on 670 The Score.
“I’m surprised too but it’s not my call,” Harris said on the Parkins & Spiegel Show. “I’m not going to sit back and worry why they haven’t reached out. Obviously, they have some plans on what they want to do over there, and if I’m not in those plans, I can accept that. I’m cool with that. You keep it moving and you keep working to get better.”
Harris originally made his coaching debut within the Sox organization, serving as the hitting coach of the Great Falls Voyagers in 2016 and manager of High-A Winston-Salem in 2017.
Following his time with the team, he moved to the Giants organization as manager of their Double-A affiliate in 2018. The following year, Harris was named the baserunning and outfield coordinator for the Cincinnati Reds before finding his way to the other side of town.
No matter where he’s gone, Harris has been held in high regard as a future manager. Many consider him to be an individual who gets the best out of players and guides them to play with the spark they need. Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and former Cubs manager David Ross were among those to vouch for him publicly during the previous White Sox search.
Whether there’s any interest from the South Side this time around remains to be seen. Even if he’s not the best candidate to take the helm, Harris could still be a name to watch when it comes to rounding out the rest of the staff.
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Featured Photo: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
