Chicago (AFP) – The Chicago White Sox fired Pedro Grifol as manager of the Major League Baseball club on Thursday, two days after snapping a club record 21-game losing streak. Grady Sizemore, an MLB outfielder for 12 seasons until retiring as a player, was promoted from assistant coach to interim manager and will guide the team for the remainder of the campaign, with a full-time replacement to be named after the season.
The White Sox matched the American League record with 21 consecutive losses, joining the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, before winning 5-1 at Oakland on Tuesday, finishing two losses shy of the MLB record 23-game losing streak by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961. At 28-89, the White Sox have MLB’s worst record this season. Grifol, a 54-year-old American, finished his first MLB managerial stand with an 89-190 record.
His firing, as well as those of three assistant coaches, came on an off day ahead of the White Sox facing their Windy City rivals, the Chicago Cubs. “As we all recognize, our team’s performance this season has been disappointing on many levels,” White Sox vice president and general manager Chris Getz said in a statement.
“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 took over in the 2023 campaign and the Sox went 61-101. They started the 2024 season 3-22 and have dropped 18 of 19 games since the All-Star Game break last month.
© 2024 AFP
