Reinsdorf: 'No one is happy' with results of 2024 campaign

CHICAGO – There have been a number of recent requests to speak with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, which stands to reason as his team fell to 33-114 after a 6-4 loss to the Guardians on Wednesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Following this franchise-worst 15th straight home setback, Reinsdorf issued the following statement through the team.

“Everyone in this organization is extremely unhappy with the results of this season, that goes without saying. This year has been very painful for all, especially our fans. We did not arrive here overnight, and solutions won’t happen overnight either.

“Going back to last year, we have made difficult decisions and changes to begin building a foundation for future success. What has impressed me is how our players and staff have continued to work and bring a professional attitude to the ballpark each day despite a historically difficult season. No one is happy with the results, but I commend the continued effort."

The statement closed with Reinsdorf adding, “I expect to have more to say at the end of the season.”

Reinsdorf’s squad will try to avoid breaking the Modern Era (since 1900) single-season futility mark set at 120 losses by the ‘62 Mets via a 10-5 record over their final five series. Considering the White Sox are 1-27 over their last 28 home games, that goal seems a bit lofty.

“Everyone in there is aware of where we’re at, from a record [standpoint],” White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore said. “If you’re sitting there only focused on the negative, you’re probably going to have negative outcomes. It doesn’t do us any good to sit here and be like, ‘We have to win this many games to avoid whatever.’

“We have to compete every night. The outside factors, all the other things, it doesn’t really matter. At this point, we’re trying to get better, we’re trying to finish strong, and whatever the record is, is what it is, but it’s not what we want it to be. Whether we hit some magical number or not, it’s still not a winning season, it’s not the season we hoped.”

This White Sox team, with a 6-43 mark since the All-Star break, features a remarkably close clubhouse in the face of the highest adversity. General manager Chris Getz set out to build a strong culture during his first year in charge and seems to have started toward that target.

There’s been no finger-pointing and a one-for-all mentality. In Wednesday’s loss, Lane Thomas drove in four runs on two infield singles against Davis Martin (0-4). That’s right, the ball never left the infield, with the American League Central-leading Guardians (84-62) using their speed to burn the home team.

Steven Kwan and José Ramírez scored in the first inning on Thomas’ slow roller to third baseman Miguel Vargas, with first baseman Andrew Vaughn stretching to make the play and Ramírez racing home from second. During a three-run third, Kwan and Andrés Giménez scored after second baseman Lenyn Sosa made a diving stop on Thomas’ grounder in the hole and Vaughn’s throw home was a bit late.

“Yeah, those were tough,” Vaughn said. “Gotta go ball first. I’m stretching, trying to make sure it’s an out. José can run. Tough plays.”

Giménez reached base that fateful inning by outrunning Vaughn after hitting a grounder up the line and slightly to the right toward first base with Kwan on first.

“My first thing I did is thought about second base, which I shouldn’t have,” Vaughn said. “Turned inside, took my head off the runner. Didn’t realize I didn’t have that much time. Just a mistake on my part.”

“I had Lane Thomas [at] two strikes multiple times,” Martin said. “People can point to whichever way they want to how that outing went, but personally, it's my execution with two strikes which is probably going to keep me up tonight.”

Oakland visits this weekend, as the White Sox try to avoid their 24th series sweep. They visit Anaheim and San Diego, before returning home for three with the Angels and ending the season with three in Detroit.

Focus falls upon hiring the next manager and building a team for sustained success. The focus also falls upon what could be unwanted history on this next road trip.

“These are all competitors in here,” Martin said. “It doesn't matter if we're playing ping pong, video games on our phone, we want to beat the crap out of each other and the same thing goes on out there. There's no lack of effort, there's no lack of competition."