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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Chicago White Sox probably can't blame the entirety of their historically bad season on manager Pedro Grifol.
Nonetheless, Grifol got the axe two days after the team ended the longest losing streak in American League history, while still on pace for the most losses in MLB's modern era.
In an official announcement Thursday, the White Sox announced they will begin a search for a new manager immediately and expect to announce Grifol's long-term replacement after the 2024 season ends. Grifol is the first manager to be fired at midseason.
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"As we all recognize, our team's performance this season has been disappointing on many levels," Chris Getz, White Sox senior vice president and general manager, said in a statement announcing Grifol's dismissal. "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."
The decision comes as little surprise. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Grifol met with Getz and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf last week and left with the conclusion that Grifol's firing was inevitable — a question of when, not if.
More news: Owner of MLB's Worst Team Met With Manager, But Didn't Fire Him
Grifol was hired on Nov. 3, 2022. Since then he's led the White Sox to an 89-190 record, including a 28-89 record in 2024. His .319 winning percentage is the lowest by anyone who's managed at least 275 games since World War II.
Nightengale went on to suggest there's already a leading candidate for the job if (when) Grifol leaves: current Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, who's expected to leave the Marlins after the season.
As far as interim candidates go, former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen — now a broadcaster on the club's regional network, NBC Sports Chicago — has practically volunteered for the job on-air.
The Athletic reported that when the Sox called Guillen for the vacancy created when Tony La Russa stepped away for health reasons after the 2022 season, he was given "a token interview" for the job.
More recently, he said getting passed over for the job left him "bitter."
More news: White Sox Broadcaster Says He's 'Bitter,' 'Weird' About Being Passed Over For Manager's Job
The White Sox are 28-89, having recently tied the American League record for losses with 21. The streak ended Tuesday when they beat the Oakland Athletics, but they're still on pace to break the 1962 New York Mets' record of 120 losses in a season.
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