Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has long been a central figure in the team’s operations, and his decisions have contributed to one of the worst stretches in the franchise’s history. Following an abysmal 2023 season, new revelations have emerged about Reinsdorf’s role in past managerial decisions that have continued to impact the organization.
After the 2020 season, in which the White Sox posted a solid 35-25 record before losing in the AL Wild Card series, the team parted ways with manager Rick Renteria. With a young and talented roster, including several budding stars and All-Star hitters, the expectation was that the White Sox would bring in a manager capable of elevating the team to the next level.
However, Reinsdorf personally intervened in the process. Instead of allowing the general manager to lead the search, Reinsdorf handpicked Tony La Russa to take over as manager. La Russa, who hadn’t managed a game in a decade and was not considered for other managerial roles at the time, was hired largely because Reinsdorf wanted to rectify his decision to move on from La Russa back in 1986.
The move was met with widespread criticism and skepticism from fans and baseball insiders alike, and those doubts were validated. While the White Sox made the playoffs in 2021, they lost in the American League Division Series and La Russa stepped down amid a lackluster 2022 season. The team then hired Pedro Grifol, but the situation only worsened, leading to the White Sox posting a historically poor 2023 campaign.
New details have now emerged, shedding light on what might have been. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, former general manager Rick Hahn had intended to hire A.J. Hinch following the 2020 season. However, Reinsdorf overruled Hahn’s recommendation and insisted on hiring La Russa.
In a twist of fate, Hinch went on to become the manager of the Detroit Tigers, guiding them through a three-year rebuilding process that culminated in a 2024 playoff berth. The Tigers are now heading to the AL Division Series, while the White Sox find themselves at the bottom of the league.
On a brighter note for White Sox fans, Heyman reports that Reinsdorf will allow current general manager Chris Getz to choose his own manager this offseason. However, given the team’s ongoing rebuild, the White Sox may not be the most attractive option for managerial candidates, leaving them with a limited pool of choices as they search for the right leader to turn things around.
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