Chicago White Sox

When the Chicago White Sox hired Tony La Russa to manage the club for the 2021 season, they did so with high expectations.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported La Russa's White Sox are among the teams expected to be "aggressive buyers" during free agency, and one rival told Olney that the 76-year-old "almost has to win next year." 

La Russa, a three-time World Series champion as a manager (Oakland Athletics in 1989 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 and 2011) and four-time Manager of the Year, hasn't managed an MLB game since that World Series championship in 2011. 

It may take some time for La Russa to adjust in an era of analytics while attempting to connect with players no more than half his age. However, he inherits a Chicago team that qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2008 with a 35-25 record. 

Free agency will provide the White Sox with an opportunity to boost their roster, which already features a strong foundation thanks to a number of contract extensions and free-agent signings last offseason. In addition to 2020 MVP finalist Jose Abreu, Chicago packs some pop between shortstop Tim Anderson, third baseman Yoan Moncada and outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert, the latter of whom is a Rookie of the Year finalist.

Dallas Keuchel (6-2, 1.99 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 2020) and Lucas Giolito (4-3, 3.48 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) lead the starting rotation. Keuchel's deal runs through 2022 with a vesting option for 2023, while Giolito is controllable through 2023.

This offseason, the team could look to round out the back end of the rotation. Elsewhere on the mound, Alex Colome, who posted a minuscule 0.81 ERA in 21 appearances (12 saves) is a free agent, so the team could very likely be seeking a new closer.

Since the AL Central is largely in a scramble, with the Cleveland Indians rumored to part ways with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and the Kansas City Royals (26-34) and the Detroit Tigers (23-35) still finding their way, La Russa could be set up for success in 2021—which, apparently, is a necessity.

Tim Anderson, the young leader of the Chicago White Sox who's as famous for his bat-flips as his batting average, told reporters he won't be changing his playing style under new manager Tony La Russa.

Speaking to the media after winning his first Silver Slugger on Thursday, the 2019 American League batting champion made clear he'll continue to show his emotions on the field.   

"I won't change my style, the way I play, for Tony," Anderson said. "I will not be changing the way I play or how I approach the game."

That approach has worked out well for Anderson. After slashing .258/.286/.411 over his first three years in the Majors, the 27-year-old shortstop has become a superstar at the plate with a slash line of .331/.357/.514 in his last two seasons.

La Russa has previously criticized players for bat-flipping and, more notably, ripped San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. for hitting a grand slam off a 3-0 count during an interview with Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.

The manager has also been critical of players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and systemic racism—though during his introductory press conference with the White Sox last month, he said he'd be OK with players doing so as long as it's sincere. He did not explain how he would determine if a player's motivations were sincere. 

That could lead to a clash between La Russa and a major clubhouse leader. One of the reasons it hasn't gotten to that point yet is that the two have yet to even speak. 

Anderson told reporters Thursday he has yet to hear from La Russa despite the White Sox making the hiring official last Thursday.

"I'm still waiting on him to reach out to me," Anderson said. 

The shortstop added he's excited to learn from La Russa and has spoken with people around baseball who told him he'll like playing for the 76-year-old. That hasn't stopped the Alabama native from planning how he'll approach his new boss.

"Just try to pick his brain, just try to make it as smooth as possible," Anderson said. "Try to have fun with it—if he allows that."

You can almost hear the Chicago White Sox's social media manager saying, "It's a statement of fact." 

The White Sox fired manager Rick Renteria on Oct. 12 despite reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2008. General manager Rick Hahn told reporters the move was necessary "to take that next step and putting us in the best position to succeed."

On Monday, the BBWAA named Renteria as one of three finalists for the American League Manager of the Year award, which prompted a congratulatory tweet from the team:

Congratulations to Rick Renteria on being named a finalist for A.L. Manager of the Year. https://t.co/dJWrFEg16f

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 2, 2020

This situation has happened before. The Toronto Raptors celebrated Dwane Casey being named as an NBA Coach of the Year finalist in May 2018, one week after they had fired him. Casey wound up winning the award.

Should Renteria do the same, it will likely lead to more questions about whether the White Sox are better off after having replaced him with Tony La Russa.

The Chicago White Sox will not bring designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion back for a second season, declining a club option for the 2021 that would've paid him $12 million.

pic.twitter.com/SWRY3sjVRh

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 30, 2020

It was an expected move, considering Chicago general manager Rick Hahn pointed to designated hitter as a position that needed to produce more. Encarnacion had a disappointing .157/.250/.377 slash line in 2020 while hitting 10 home runs and striking out 54 times.

"We didn't quite get the production out of right field or DH that we wanted this year," Hahn told reporters after the season.

He added: "But as we head into the offseason, if you were to identify the shopping list, you hit the nail on the head in terms of coming up with our solutions for the pitching staff as well as potentially in right field and DH."

The 37-year-old Encarnacion's decline came much faster than the Sox expected, leading then-manager Rick Renteria to use him for just two plate appearances during the three-game Wild Card Series against the Oakland Athletics last year. 

Instead Chicago filled the DH slot by using catchers James McCann and Yasmani Grandal as well as Jose Abreu when possible. 

The White Sox made a major statement this offseason by firing Renteria after his first winning season with the club and hiring Tony La Russa as his replacement. With the team ready to contend, there was no room for Encarnacion to keep swinging away in Chicago any longer. 

It appears not even the Chicago White Sox marketing team could believe the club would actually hire Tony La Russa on Thursday.

In a graphic welcoming La Russa back to the South Side emailed to fans after the announcement, the team appeared to leave in the signature of another rumored candidate for the job: A.J. Hinch. 

https://twitter.com/GabeNotDave/status/1321903108604264448

The White Sox corrected the gaffe when they tweeted out the image, but those emails couldn't be recalled.

The haunting of Hinch's signature may go further than one small error. The former Houston Astros manager may torment the club for years to come as he's considered the front-runner to land the Detroit Tigers manager opening. 

If Hinch has more success with the Tigers than La Russa does in his second stint with the White Sox, fans in Chicago will forever be reminded of what they missed out on. 

The Chicago White Sox's new manager is the most experienced, most accomplished and most decorated person they could have chosen for the job.

He might still be wrong for it.

The whispers became reality Thursday when the White Sox announced they've hired Tony La Russa to replace former manager Rick Renteria, who they let go on October 12. Though the terms haven't yet been reported, La Russa has signed a multiyear contract.

       

La Russa's Resume

• White Sox manager: 1979-1986
• Oakland Athletics manager: 1986-1995
• St. Louis Cardinals Manager: 1996-2011
• 4-time Manager of the Year
• 6-time pennant winner
• 3-time World Series champion
• 2,728 career wins (third all-time)
• Elected into Hall of Fame in 2014

      

What La Russa Does (and Might Not) Bring to the Table

Following several years of rebuilding, the White Sox broke through in 2020. By way of a 35-25 run through the shortened regular season, they made the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

However, they lasted only three games in the postseason, wherein they were knocked out of the Wild Card Round by the A's. The third of those games reflected poorly on Renteria, who was a tad too aggressive with his pitching maneuvers.

Now in comes the 76-year-old La Russa. As White Sox general manager Rick Hahn explained in a statement, he hopes the veteran skipper's experience is just what the team needs:

“We are extremely excited about the future of this team. As we showed in 2020, this is a young, talented club that we expect to only grow better and better in the coming years. Adding in a Hall of Fame manager who is recognized as being one of the best in the history of the game, we are a step closer to our goal of bringing White Sox fans another championship."

Because La Russa hasn't managed since skippering the Cardinals to a second championship in six years back in 2011, there is some dust on his accomplishments at this point. It also suffices to say that baseball has changed a lot over the last nine years.

And yet La Russa wasn't so successful in his day simply because he always had great players. He was an innovator, particularly with bullpen management. It isn't a reach to suggest that he's the originator of the modern trend of using a parade of relievers to arrange and exploit favorable matchups. 

It also isn't as though La Russa has been out of the loop over since 2011. He worked as an executive for Major League Baseball and in front offices with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox (who won the World Series in 2018) and Los Angeles Angels.

The trouble is, La Russa apparently wasn't the first choice of the White Sox's baseball operations department. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, owner Jerry Reinsdorf made the decision, seemingly to the chagrin of said department:

The hiring of Tony La Russa has ruffled feathers in the White Sox organization. A number of employees have concerns about his ability to connect with younger players and how he will adapt to the field after being away 9 years.

This was a Jerry Reinsdorf decision. Simple as that.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 29, 2020

It isn't hard to imagine this becoming a source of tension down the line.

Rather than with Reinsdorf, La Russa will be working directly with the club's front office in a way that might not give him his preferred level of autonomy. As all modern managers do, La Russa will almost certainly have to take his cues from assorted number crunchers.

As Bruce Bochy, who will one day join La Russa in Cooperstown, told Jayson Stark of The Athletic in 2019: "The game has changed. It's driven a lot by the front office and by all the information that's given to the manager. The manager—he's not the one who's driving the bus as much as he used to be."

Now more than ever, the most important skill a manager can have is the ability to communicate with his players. Egos must be handled with care, and data-heavy game plans must be put in plain English (or Spanish, etc.). If done well, everyone will buy in and everything will go according to plan.

On its own, La Russa's nine-year break from managing could be a big enough challenge in the communication department. And then there's how his own personality will mesh with those of his players.

As soon as the news of La Russa's hiring was announced, his takes on players flaunting baseball's unwritten rules and on protests against racial injustice quickly came to light. In short: He wasn't a fan of Colin Kaepernick in 2016, and he didn't approve of Fernando Tatis Jr.'s otherwise crowd-pleasing 3-0 grand slam from this August.

However, La Russa backed off both takes Thursday, per B/R's Scott Miller:

LaRussa on previously saying he disagreed w/players kneeling for National Anthem managing team five players kneeled: Says that was 2016 & lot happened since then. “I applaud & would support them addressing & identifying injustices, esp on racial side.” Mentions @Player_Alliance

— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) October 29, 2020

Question about bat flips & changing game: “I do believe in sportsmanship ... more attention being paid to what players do in game.” Says he sees how players have changed, mentioned Eckersley’s fist pump.

— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) October 29, 2020

Whether his views have actually changed or he simply knows how to read a room, La Russa will have to maintain his newfound enlightenment if he expects to command respect in Chicago's clubhouse.

This is a team whose hitters and pitchers are predominantly 20-somethings, and whose make is decidedly multicultural and multiracial. The White Sox's biggest star is shortstop Tim Anderson, a bat-flipping, socially conscious Black man who's likened himself to "today's Jackie Robinson" with regard to the responsibility he feels to "change the game."

Anderson and the White Sox are a fitting reflection of Major League Baseball as a whole. The league is younger and more diverse than it used to be, and it became more socially conscious in 2020 than it had been arguably since the days of Robinson.

It shouldn't be on White Sox players to adjust to La Russa. He should have to adjust to them, which he already seems to understand.

If he goes on to actually conquer his learning curve in practice, the White Sox should continue their rise as a powerhouse contender. As it is, their young core already includes Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, Dane Dunning and Garrett Crochet. Before long, hard-throwing right-hander Michael Kopech and sweet-swinging first baseman Andrew Vaughn will also join.

There is, however, the question of why Reinsdorf insisted on hiring a manager who would have any sort of learning curve. Especially given that AJ Hinch, who checks all of the boxes for a modern manager despite his tainted run with the Houston Astros between 2015 and 2019, was reportedly in the running for the job.

There's also the question of how the White Sox will proceed if La Russa does prove to be a bad fit. Perhaps they would just let him go. But since he's a Hall of Famer who the owner hand-picked and is now on a multiyear contract, that might not be so simple.

Ultimately, it's a hope-for-the-best situation. If it doesn't pan out, the White Sox will be scrambling to salvage whatever's left of their contention window.

      

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa made it two questions into his introductory press conference Thursday before he was asked about past comments he's made critical of players protesting systemic racism and police brutality on the field. 

In response to The Athletic's James Fegan, the 76-year-old Hall of Famer said he's grown since learning more about why athletes have kneeled during the national anthem.

"There is not a racist bone in my body," La Russa said. "I know in 2016 my initial instincts were about respecting the anthem and flag. A lot has gone on since...I applaud the awareness that has gone on in society since."

When then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016, La Russa took a much different approach in conversation with ESPN's Dan LeBatard Show:

“I would tell [a player protesting the anthem to] sit inside the clubhouse. You’re not going to be out there representing our team and our organization by disrespecting the flag. No, sir, I would not allow it. … If you want to make your statement you make it in the clubhouse, but not out there, you’re not going to show it that way publicly and disrespectfully...

“I really distrust Kaepernick’s sincerity. I was there in the Bay Area when he first was a star, a real star. I never once saw him do anything but promote himself.”

The notion of "sincerity" popped up again Thursday with La Russa stating it would be his barometer to judge how players should handle themselves not just with protesting injustice but celebrating achievements on the field. 

Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson, in particular, has developed a loud style of play that includes copious batflips and shouting. The White Sox built their 2020 marketing campaign around Anderson's theatrics with "Change The Game" as the team's slogan and gave out bobbleheads depicting Anderson's celebrations. 

Again, La Russa pointed to sincerity, saying he was OK with players showing their personality and taking steps toward social justice as long as it wasn't self-serving, pointing to the Players Alliance as an example.

"I totally support what the Players Alliance is about because it’s action not just verbiage," La Russa said.

The manager didn't clearly expand on how he'll determine when a player is being sincere or not. 

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a deal with Tony La Russa to make him their next manager, they announced Thursday.

Tony La Russa, a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame, the third-winningest manager in baseball history, a three-time World Series champion and a four-time winner of the Manager of the Year Award, has been named the new manager of the Chicago White Sox. pic.twitter.com/RKP24rleHP

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 29, 2020

This move doesn't come as a total surprise because USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Oct. 12 that La Russa was a possible candidate for the White Sox. That the team followed through and brought him aboard is unexpected nonetheless.

The Hall of Famer is a three-time World Series winner, and his 2,728 victories are the third-most in MLB history. Still, he turned 76 in October and hasn't managed an MLB game since 2011.

Any time a coach has been out of the sport for nearly a decade, questions arise about whether he can adapt to current strategic trends. La Russa's approach to the bullpen was ahead of its time, but he hasn't always been a fan of the advanced metrics that some teams are using to mold their in-game approaches. 

The hiring of Tony La Russa has ruffled feathers in the White Sox organization. A number of employees have concerns about his ability to connect with younger players and how he will adapt to the field after being away 9 years.

This was a Jerry Reinsdorf decision. Simple as that.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 29, 2020

Fired up to join @whitesox, a contending team in a tough division. Add my best efforts to theirs. Lots of comments. Some supportive and some not. Get to work and see the results.

— Tony La Russa (@TonyLaRussa) October 30, 2020

The White Sox returned to the postseason for the first time since 2008. Playoff expansion widened the field, but Chicago's 35 wins would've been enough to at least qualify for the wild card under the traditional format.

That still wasn't enough to save Rick Renteria's job, though. For the second time, he was the recipient of what was arguably an undeserved firing from a Chicago franchise.

When the Chicago Cubs moved on from Renteria, they did so explicitly because Joe Maddon had become available. The White Sox, on the other hand, didn't appear to have a clear candidate in mind as their replacement.

Despite the lack of recent success, this was an attractive opening.

The road through the AL Central might be even easier to navigate in 2021. The Minnesota Twins aren't likely taking a step back, but the Cleveland Indians might be if they trade Francisco Lindor. The Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers, meanwhile, are probably still a year or more away from contention as well.

In addition, the White Sox are starting to see the tangible returns of the rebuilding plan they began in the 2016 offseason.

Eloy Jimenez had a .296/.332/.559 slash line along with 14 home runs and 41 RBI in 55 games. Luis Robert's .738 OPS wasn't great, but he still hit 11 homers while showing the speed (nine stolen bases) and defense that round out his game. 

On the pitching side, Garrett Crochet and Dane Dunning made their MLB debuts. The latter posted a 3.99 FIP in 34 innings, per Baseball Reference, and the former was hitting triple digits on the radar gun in his brief cameo.

Garrett Crochet was drafted in June, and he's already on big-league mound pumping 101. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AItTWkN8Wn

— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2020

Ownership has shown a willingness to invest in ready-made talent, too.

The White Sox were unable to land Manny Machado, but their pursuit of the starting third baseman was a sign of intent. Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion and Dallas Keuchel arrived during the 2020 offseason to show how the front office was starting to aim higher.

Historically, the Chicago Cubs have overshadowed their neighbors to the south, if at times just in general attention. The gulf widened during a Cubs run that included a World Series title and two National League Championship Series appearances in the mid-2010s.

Now, the franchises appear to be heading in opposite directions, assuming Cubs ownership reins in its spending. As Ozzie Guillen briefly did during the mid-to-late 2000s, perhaps La Russa can help upend what has been Chicago's traditional baseball dynamic.

The Chicago White Sox conducted an interview with Tony La Russa and view him as a "top candidate" to replace manager Rick Renteria, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. 

La Russa, 76, has spoken with general manager Rick Hahn and executive vice president Kenny Williams in recent days. 

Levine noted the club hopes to have a new manager in place within the next two weeks. 

The former St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland Athletics manager previously led the White Sox from 1979-86, winning the American League West in 1983 before he was fired. 

La Russa retired from managing after winning the World Series with St. Louis in 2011—his second with the Cardinals third overall—and has spent time advising the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels. 

In conversations with White Sox brass, the front office reportedly asked "pointed questions about La Russa's vision and his readiness to handle the White Sox's talented young players", Levine reported, adding the club wants the next manager to provide input on offseason moves. 

After announcing Renteria's departure after a 35-25 season that ended with an exit from the American League Wild Card Round, Hahn was very specific when asked what he looks for in a replacement. 

"I think the best candidate or the ideal candidate is going to be someone who has experience with a championship organization in recent years," Hahn said. "Recent October experience with a championship organization would be ideal. But we're going to keep an open mind." 

The GM mentioned not all candidates would be available to interview right away, as some were still taking part in the postseason. Another oft-mentioned candidate, AJ Hinch, is suspended until the conclusion of the World Series as part of MLB's punishment for the Houston Astros' cheating scandal. 

It's unclear if the Sox have met with any other candidates at this point, though Hahn said Chicago is positioned as an ideal opening after reaching the postseason for the first time since 2008 with a young core featuring Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito and Luis Robert ready to contend. 

The possibility that Tony La Russa becomes the next manager of the Chicago White Sox reportedly grew stronger Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Angels, who hired La Russa as a senior adviser of baseball operations after the 2019 season, have given the White Sox permission to interview the 76-year-old for their managerial opening, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

La Russa has not managed since the 2011 season.

Nightengale reported Monday that La Russa was "quite intrigued" by the White Sox opening after they announced they were parting ways with manager Rick Renteria.

La Russa started his managerial career with the White Sox in 1979. White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf fired him during the 1986 season, a move he has said he regrets.

After that firing, La Russa joined the Oakland Athletics for 10 years and then managed the St. Louis Cardinals for 16 seasons.

He won the World Series with the A's in 1989 and did so again with the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011. He also took home four Manager of the Year awards. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 and has a 2,728-2,365 record as a manager.

La Russa has remained close to the game in recent years as an executive with Major League Baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Boston Red Sox and the Angels.

Chicago has plenty of young talent and made the playoffs this year for the first time since 2008, but it hasn't won a postseason series since winning the World Series in 2005. La Russa has molded talented players into championship rosters before and may have the opportunity to do so where he started his managerial career.