White Sox Reporter Clarifies Logic Of New Manager Hire
The Chicago White Sox became the most recent team (and the last one with an opening) to announce their manager for the 2023 season.
They interviewed several candidates, but ended up choosing former Kansas City Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol.
It will be Grifol’s first experience as an MLB skipper, although he has coached (and managed) at different levels.
White Sox insider Vinnie Duber, who works for CHGO Sports, explained the franchise’s reasoning behind the hire.
“Sox’ apparent top criterion was recent winning experience. Grifol w/ Royals, largely losers, for long time, but was there for back-to-back WS trips in 14, 15. For perspective, part of WS winner 10 yrs more recently than Ozzie, one yr more than Bochy, only one yr less than Maddon,” Duber tweeted.
Sox’ apparent top criterion was recent winning experience. Grifol w/ Royals, largely losers, for long time, but was there for back-to-back WS trips in 14, 15. For perspective, part of WS winner 10 yrs more recently than Ozzie, one yr more than Bochy, only one yr less than Maddon.
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) November 1, 2022
The White Sox Valued Grifol’s Presence On The 2014-15 Royals
Joe Espada, one of the men considered for the spot, has been with the Houston Astros since 2018, which means that despite going to three World Series since then, he hasn’t won one yet.
Miguel Cairo was considered (and had a good stint as an interim manager this year) but is largely inexperienced.
Ozzie Guillen, as Duber states, won almost 20 years ago, so while he was interviewed, he didn’t get the job.
That leaves the White Sox with Grifol, a former minor league player and MLB coach.
He has been with the Royals for almost a decade, and was part of the 2014 team that lost the Fall Classic to the San Francisco Giants, 4-3, and the squad that finally won it all a year later against the New York Mets.
Grifol is part of a new wave of coaches with little experience, but with fresh ideas filled with modern concepts.