CHICAGO — Early within the first dugout information convention of his interim managing profession, Grady Sizemore was requested lightheartedly whether or not he ever envisioned being the Chicago White Sox supervisor again when he was an All-Star outfielder for a division rival.
Now that actually could be an oddly particular profession aim for a man from Seattle who was enjoying in Cleveland, however who is aware of, perhaps he actually favored the scent of grilled onions and the taunts of offended, liquored-up followers.
In any occasion, that’s the place his life has taken him: managing the White Sox as they attempt to escape the throes of baseball infamy.
Sitting subsequent to him was the Sox normal supervisor Chris Getz, who was drafted by and debuted with the White Sox. I don’t assume he ever dreamed of taking Kenny Williams’ job again when he was manning second base for the membership.
However because the Chicago Cubs and White Sox began the second leg of their crosstown sequence, the truth is Getz is accountable for the worst staff in baseball and Sizemore is accountable for managing it (whereas Getz appears to be like for somebody extra skilled to do the job full time).
It’s not excellent, however hey, it’s not all milkshakes and sizzling canine on the South Facet.
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Sizemore’s tenure started very like the Pedro Grifol one ended — with a loss. When Sizemore made his first pitching change within the third inning, the Sox had been scoreless and down by six runs. The Sox rallied, however the Cubs ended up profitable 7-6.
With 44 video games left, what’s left for the Sox (28-90) to perform this season? Effectively, that’s straightforward. Win 15 video games.
Some groups try to make historical past. The White Sox have to keep away from it.
The 1962 New York Mets have the trendy baseball file for futility with 120 losses and the Sox want to complete with (no less than) one fewer defeat. They don’t wish to tie the Mets and so they most undoubtedly don’t wish to end with 121 losses. Certain, 119 losses would tie them with the 2003 Detroit Tigers for the AL’s worst mark, however nobody makes use of that Tigers staff as shorthand for the “worst ever.” Lots of people exterior of Chicago (and Houston) neglect the White Sox received a World Collection in 2005. Nobody will neglect this staff in the event that they lose 121.
The Sox get picked on rather a lot, each regionally and nationally, for his or her many, many embarrassing failures, however ducking historic mockery ought to be the aim for the final seven weeks.
It was 7-0 coming into the 4th.
Will the Chicago White Sox win this sport……in fact not.
pic.twitter.com/cirPuv4uET— Wretched 24 White Sox (@SultanOfClout) August 10, 2024
They already dodged the all-time file for consecutive losses in a season. Now comes sidestepping the season file.
They didn’t get off to a very good begin at silencing their haters Friday, however after this two-game set with the Cubs, they get … uh-oh … the New York Yankees. Yeah, it’s not going to be straightforward.
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Quirks of the schedule: The groups (and gamers) who’ve a neater approach ahead
Earlier than Friday’s sport in opposition to the Cubs, Getz reiterated what he stated the day earlier than after he mercifully fired supervisor Grifol after a slower-than-expected 89-190 begin to his managing profession — that he’s not overtly targeted on the ’62 Mets. Nonetheless …
“I don’t assume anybody on this group needs to be related (with) a file we may doubtlessly have,” Getz stated.
So although it’s not an organizational mandate to keep away from 120, it’s not a aim.
“There may be all the time one thing to play for on this sport,” Getz stated. “Grady and I’ve talked about that at size. We would like our gamers to play for one thing larger than themselves.”
In concept, a 15-29 run during the last seven weeks isn’t asking for an excessive amount of. However for this Sox staff, it simply could be.
In any case, they’ve solely received 28 instances in 118 tries. There’s not a lot to go on to consider they will make even a modest run. After a 3-22 begin, they went 12-12. However then they misplaced a franchise-record 14 straight video games.
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1961 Phillies perceive what the 2024 White Sox had been going via: Sliders
Given the state of the staff — with Erick Fedde in St. Louis, Garrett Crochet’s remaining innings rising fewer, a lineup that doesn’t rating runs and an often-calamitous bullpen — it’s arduous to examine them catching a spark, not to mention hearth.
However once more, 15 wins in 44 video games. It’s not like asking them to also have a profitable month, one thing they haven’t sniffed this season.
So can Sizemore, who as a Cleveland participant as soon as famously dropped a fly ball in late September 2005 that helped the White Sox clinch a division title, be the spark the staff wants? Judging by his profession file of speaking to reporters, he’s not going to offer any Knute Rockne speeches. However the gamers know Sizemore was a gamer and an All-Star. He’s 41, however he appears to be like 10 years youthful. They appear to respect him. Think about in the event that they knew about his historical past as a Cleveland intercourse image.
“Nice perspective, nice vitality and we’re excited,” veteran first baseman Andrew Vaughn stated.
In actuality, it’s not about what Sizemore particularly brings. Change itself, a brand new voice, a wake-up name, may assist this staff finish the season with a shred of dignity. That’s the concept anyway.
GO DEEPER
Greenberg: Pedro Grifol and the White Sox are higher off with out one another
Getz fired three coaches together with Grifol, however Sizemore has two bench coaches and incumbent pitching coach Ethan Katz to assist him end the season. That is all new for him. He was a $15 hourly intern for the Arizona Diamondbacks at this level final yr and used his connections with Josh Barfield, now Getz’s assistant GM, to land a job on the Sox teaching workers this yr.
He went from intern to “major-league coach” in a yr. Now he’s a big-league supervisor. What a yr.
“It nonetheless hasn’t actually sunk in,” Sizemore stated earlier than the sport. “I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep final night time. Simply too excited, too anxious. Nonetheless doesn’t really feel actual.”
I’m positive it felt somewhat extra actual after watching Crochet quit 4 homers in 2 1/3 innings. That’s the White Sox’s model of a chilly bathe, and if there’s a counterbalancing Sizemore Impact, perhaps it takes a couple of video games.
Neither Sizemore nor the gamers I talked to would take the bait about attempting to avert infamy. And naturally, in the event that they knew the best way to win, we wouldn’t be speaking about this streak.
Are you aware how odd it’s to ask questions concerning the 1962 Mets? Shedding 100 video games is troublesome for even the worst groups. Think about shedding 120 in a single season.
The commerce deadline is over. Grifol is out. There may be nothing left however profitable these 15 video games.
“Identical to once you’re enjoying, all you may actually deal with is what you may management,” Sizemore stated. “My focus just isn’t on exterior elements or data of different groups, it’s on the fellows. What can I do to place them in the very best place to succeed? Focusing or worrying about exterior elements is only a waste of time.”
So was this White Sox season. The very least they will do just isn’t finish it because the worst staff in baseball historical past.
(Picture: Griffin Quinn / Getty Photographs)