Further change is coming to the South Side, though it’s not centered around the roster this time.
According to reports, the White Sox have fired Pedro Grifol as the club’s manager. The decision comes after the team’s franchise-record losing streak reached 21 games earlier this week, tying the all-time American League record.
“As we all recognize, our team’s performance this season has been disappointing on many levels,” said White Sox senior vice president/general manager Chris Getz. “Despite the on-field struggles and lack of success, we appreciate the effort and professionalism Pedro and the staff brought to the ballpark every day. These two seasons have been very challenging. Unfortunately, the results were not there, and a change is necessary as we look to our future and the development of a new energy around the team.”
Grifol, who had one year remaining on his three-year, $3 million contract, officially ends his White Sox tenure with an 89-190 record over parts of two seasons. While he doesn’t deserve all of the blame, especially given the hand he was dealt heading into this year, Grifol’s had plenty of shortcomings in his first and possibly only managerial stint. The White Sox are currently 28-89 and on a healthy pace to surpass the New York Mets’ all-time record of 120 losses in 1962.
The organization will now embark on yet another managerial search, which isn’t expected to ramp up until the offseason. Whether or not they can make a sound hire this time around remains to be seen, though optimism from the fanbase is at an all-time low.
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sox aren’t the worst team ever. Grifols is the worst manager ever. He batted Benintendi 2nd even though he had a .196 average. Bat Benin 6th or 7th or 9th.