'Grateful' Grady Sizemore named interim White Sox manager

CHICAGO -- Since the 2011 season, the following people have served as White Sox manager:

Ozzie Guillen (2011, in his finale of a highly successful eight-year-run)
Don Cooper (final two games in ‘11)
Robin Ventura (2012-16)
Ricky Renteria (2017-20)
Tony La Russa (2021-22)
Miguel Cairo (’22, 34 games to finish the season)
Pedro Grifol (2023-24)

With the firing of Grifol on Thursday after an 89-190 record over parts of two seasons, the name of Grady Sizemore is now on that list. The one-time tormenter of the White Sox as a frontline player for the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) from 2005-09 was moved from his first season as White Sox Major League coach to the team’s interim manager, as announced by general manager Chris Getz.

“Grady is certainly one of the most respected people in our clubhouse,” Getz said. “That showed very early on once we hired Grady, how players gravitated toward him [and] staff members gravitated toward him. He's got a strong understanding of the game, how to play the game.

“He's very authentic and honest with his communication ability. And so we felt that Grady would be the right fit for getting us to the end of September and building this environment that's more effective for our players. Grady is a very strong, steady voice that we look forward to having as the manager to finish up this season.”

Justin Jirschele, 34, who managed for eight seasons in the White Sox system, including the past two for Triple-A Charlotte, was promoted to Major League third-base coach. Doug Sisson and catching coach Drew Butera are co-bench coaches, and Mike Gellinger, who worked with hitting coach Greg Walker on the staff of the 2005 World Series champions, makes his way from the Arizona Complex League to Chicago as assistant hitting coach.

Charlie Montoyo (bench coach), Eddie Rodriguez (third base) and Mike Tosar (assistant hitting coach) were relieved of their duties.

“Very much a team approach in terms of the coaching,” Getz said.

“Never saw that coming, no never saw that coming,” Sizemore said prior to Friday’s contest vs. the Cubs when discussing the move into the manager’s seat. “Grateful for the opportunity, excited and happy to be here.”

Getz didn’t list Sizemore as a candidate for the full-time job after the 2024 season, expressing an inclination to go outside the organization, but Getz added that he’s open-minded to pretty much anything, including first-time managers. The White Sox are in the midst of an extended rebuild, which could lead to a longer-term deal with the new hire.

“Obviously, today was a big day for this organization,” Getz said. “Now, the search for that next manager begins. And we're going to create this candidate pool, and then we'll work it down to the top candidates and make that decision.

“So, we're still working on what that process looks like. Therefore, we're still working on the criteria.”

Right-hander Jonathan Cannon, left-hander Ky Bush (the White Sox No. 17 prospect per MLB Pipeline), and infielders Brooks Baldwin (No. 24) and Lenyn Sosa are a few of the young players dotting the current White Sox roster. More are on the way over the final two months.

The job for Sizemore and his staff, beginning Friday night against the Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field, is to help them develop while developing a better feel around the team than its current 28-89 record as they move toward 2025.

“It unfortunately takes more than six to eight months to turn it around and feel like you’re headed in the right direction,” Getz said. “I certainly understand the skepticism of the direction we’re going based on our Major League club right now. I feel very good about where we’re at and where we’re headed and what we’ve accomplished so far, but without question, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be finished.”

“Every day you’re trying to pick up something that gives you an edge,” Sizemore said. “I couldn’t just list off a list here. Every day I’m trying to learn something new and try to gain more to help myself and help the team.”