TODAY: The Angels have granted the White Sox permission to interview La Russa, Nightengale tweets.
OCTOBER 12: Despite earning their first playoff berth since 2008 this season, the White Sox have decided to make major changes in their dugout. The team parted ways with manager Rick Renteria and longtime pitching coach Don Cooper on Monday, leaving at least two significant holes in its coaching staff.
When discussing the White Sox’s vacancy at manager with reporters Monday, GM Rick Hahn said the club plans on finding someone with recent championship pedigree to replace Renteria, and that person’s likely to come from outside the organization, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Unsurprisingly, then, former Astros manager A.J. Hinch has emerged as a possibility, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets.
Hinch helped lead Houston to a championship in 2017, but that accomplishment has been marred by a sign-stealing scandal that caused Major League Baseball to suspend him for this season and Houston to part ways with him after last year. But Hinch’s suspension will expire after the World Series, and he has already drawn interest from Detroit – a Chicago AL Central rival that’s also looking for a manager – so he could get back in the game in short order.
It also wouldn’t be shocking to see Alex Cora – Hinch’s bench coach in ’17 – receive consideration, but the White Sox haven’t shown interest in Cora yet, according to Nightengale. Cora also had to sit out this season, but he is only two years removed from winning a title as Boston’s manager in 2018.
There also seems to be a possibility that the White Sox won’t opt for a recent major league manager to fill the role. Rather, one of their former skippers, 76-year-old Hall of Famer Tony La Russa, could be their answer. In an unexpected twist, the White Sox plan to reach out to La Russa, reports Nightengale, who adds that the position intrigues the four-time Manager of the Year. Since managing the White Sox, Cardinals and Athletics from 1979-2011 and combining for three World Series titles (one in Oakland, two in St. Louis), La Russa has worked in the front offices of the Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Angels. As Nightengale notes, La Russa is close friends with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
Idioms for Idiots
I’m not buying any of these 3 as potential managers for the Sox. Hinch & Cora for obvious reasons. LaRussa, I can’t see it. He’s been away from the dugout too long (not to mention his age doesn’t help).
Though I think they should hire from outside, I wouldn’t be totally surprised if McEwing gets the job.
drasco036
I’ll take “people who ruined baseball” for a $100 Alex.
looiebelongsinthehall
You can have him…
Dogbone
Hawkeroo?
Idioms for Idiots
Ricky is an ideal rebuild manager. He served his purpose for the Sox, and if I’m a GM of a rebuilding team, I would’ve already called Ricky for an interview. As for Coop, his career as a pitching coach was similar to Hawk’s broadcasting career–very good at the beginning, and eventually regressed every year until he far overstayed his welcome.
I don’t care who the Sox hire as the next manager, as long as it makes sense. Bochy makes sense. Alomar Jr. makes sense. LaRussa did maybe 5 years ago (maybe longer), but not now. AJ, Big Frank, Thome (or any former Sox player with no experience) don’t. I wouldn’t even mind Hinch or Cora, but I can’t see it happen with Jerry. Jerry’s at a point in his life where his legacy is important, and it’s a serious understatement to say his legacy needs improvement. Hiring these two will be 50 steps backwards with Jerry’s legacy.
Idioms for Idiots
*Hiring either of these two
Theoretically this shouldn’t matter
Idioms for Idiots
That was weird, it cut me off.
Anyway, long story short, Hinch and Cora are a media nightmare for guys like Jerry, so I would be stunned if either get hired in Chicago.
oscar gamble
Have you forgot Hawk’s term as a GM? It wasn’t successful.
Dogbone
It’d be tough to hire LaRussa because of modesty concerns. Tony really like to wear tight, tight, tight pants. I’m sure the women of Chicago would have a hard time keeping their eyes off his,,,,,you know.
Also Tony’s dark hair dye. Not sure they have that shade in the Walgreens in the Chicago area.
User 4245925809
I’m not either if instead of “baseball” , it’s “ruined everything they did”, if allowed to use a teleprompter as manager..
HALfromVA
Now that made me laugh, drasco036
ChiSox_Fan
Simpleton Hal
CalcetinesBlancos
McEwing? Lol. No chance the Sox hire any of the other guys mentioned.
Idioms for Idiots
@CelcetinesBlancos
Not saying I want them to make McEwing the manager, I’m just saying I wouldn’t be that surprised if they did it anyway.
This decision will be Hahn’s biggest as GM, I’m just hoping he doesn’t blow it.
CalcetinesBlancos
No I know, believe me. Hiring McEwing would be a very Sox move, but I also wouldn’t get the point of firing RR to hire him.
Someone with experience who isn’t that old would be ideal. Someone that embraces analytics but doesn’t have any of that Astros baggage.
fisk72
Saw Hahn’s presser. He all but said it will be from outside the org. McEwing has no shot.
gogosox59
Hahn was pretty clear in the press conference that they are going to go outside the organization. He acknowledged that in the past they always looked inside.
If he wants it: Bruce Bochy?
kdhammond69
That I’d go for ^
thebare54
Keep it simple stupid your best Manager was in the dugout last year for that Latino team need a Hispanic manager the guy knows the team Cubs which they kept him
howiehandles
wut
Aaron Sapoznik
Bruce Bochy would be the perfect fit for Rick Hahn’s ideal candidate as the next White Sox manager with 3 recent World Series titles in San Francisco. As a former MLB catcher he would also bring great knowledge to the White Sox dugout with his expertise on pitching. That said, Bochy will be 66 in April and severe health issues played a part in his retirement from the Giants following the 2019 season. It would be difficult to envision Bochy leaving his retirement in the San Diego County town of Poway, California to manage in Chicago.
The White Sox would surely be an intriguing job for any managerial candidate including Bochy who is a lock for the Hall of Fame but I’m guessing that if he does return to the dugout it would probably be for a team in southern California and not one on the southside of Chicago.
Rick Hahn will surely gauge Bochy’s interest before making an official hire but my money would be on another former catcher getting the job, Indians coach Sandy Alomar Jr.
bitteroldman
Punctuation is your friend.
kroeg49
I agree, Bochy make the most sense, but will the Sox pay him?
anthonyd4412
Latino team? Seems like a balance of white, black and Latino. Why should race be a consideration?
baycommuter 2
What he might have meant is that Renteria is considered a good manager for Latinos because he speaks fluent Spanish.
jekporkins
Bochy has been quoted as saying he’d be interested. He wants to manage again. Google “Bochy White Sox” and you’ll see a lot of articles.
Appalachian_Outlaw
I could see LaRussa brought on for a very short-term to groom an heir apparent.
Dogbone
LaRussa, PLEASE HIRE LaRussa!!!
Haaaaa Haaaaa Haaaaaa!!!!
thebare54
This ain’t football you get old you forget stuff keep who you got
thebare54
But Ozzie would be fun picture this coming back to take them to the promise land the talent is there already
Fever Pitch Guy
I really can’t see LaRussa as manager going very well. These days teams lean towards very young managers because they relate better to the players and have a managerial style that’s more suited for today’s players. I think it will be really hard for Tony to lead today’s generation of overly sensitive and somewhat pampered players.. If he gets the job, it will be a mistake.
And as a Bosox fan, I do NOT want Cora back under any circumstances. Even before the scandal broke, he was really bad making on-field decisions. Let’s not forget his horrific approach to 2019 ST which resulted in his team not being prepared to start the regular season. His constant over-resting of players, bizarre lineups, and absurd bullpen usage was glaring in 2019. Let’s face it, he was handed the keys to a very talented and expensive team prior to 2018. He won’t have that fortune again.
looiebelongsinthehall
Fever, I agree on both points. LaRussa is not Dusty Baker. While no one can deny his brain skills, anyone who saw his argument with Maddox Russo on MLB after he led the biased charge of getting Harold Baines into the HOL, saw what an ego he still has. As for Cora, he and/or the team’s brain trust/analytical department screwed up big time in 19. His cheating suspension is too fresh to be given a plum second chance. Given the oandemic and his ability to stay at home with family, it would be like he got pardoned without serving any time for his crime.
looiebelongsinthehall
*Maddog
Fever Pitch Guy
You’re 100% correct. Cora was the ringleader, the most heavily involved person in the scandal. Many believed he’d get a lifetime ban, but instead it’s just 60 games. Ridiculous. When Jimy Williams and Grady Little left Boston for other teams, they got exposed for what they really were … bad managers. I expect the same to happen to Cora, regardless of where he goes.
djulio4u
The main reason why teams hire young Mgrs. is because they are willing to be sheep, in order to get their opportunity!!!
traveling man
I guess Tony is a decrepit old man,right?
wordonthestreet
McEwing will not even get an interview from the ChiSox
julyn82001
Hinch and Cora were just recently involved in canned scandals. La Russa? Rumor has it Tony knew Canseco and McGuire were doing PED’s when managing the A’s. There has to be alternatives out there. C’mon!!!
takeitback
LaRussa was also stealing signs using a tv in his office back in the 80’s and notifying the batter what pitch was coming through a bulb in the scoreboard……….according to Jack McDowell.
barkinghumans77
McDowell is full of it IMO. He never played for LaRussa. How long would that take to get that info to the batter? TV to scoreboard…
MikeS2
LaRussa would be a very Reinsdorfian sort of choice. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if he brought in Doug Collins.
ChiSox_Fan
I think Hahn already said the new hire would be from outside the Sox organization!
maximumvelocity
LaRussa is outside of the organization, and has been for 30 years. But he’s still in the “family” as an ex-coach. That’s why it’s such a White Sox hire, and one I would not rule out given the nepotism of the franchise.
ChiSox_Fan
It’s gonna be Sandy Alomar Jr.!
ponytail01
Hinch or Cora might be able to lure George Springer.
Aaron Sapoznik
Cleveland Indians coach Sandy Alomar Jr. would be my top choice for the White Sox managerial position. Alomar managed the Indians to a 28-18 record filling in for Terry Francona who had a couple of health issues this past season. Alomar would be the heir apparent to Francona in Cleveland but the latter is still under contract with the Tribe through 2022. Unless Francona retires prematurely for health reasons, Alomar would surely jump at the chance to manage a White Sox team that is poised to be a championship contender for the next decade, one that also has a strong Latino presence in its lineup. The White Sox would be wise to consider hiring another bilingual manager like Rick Renteria and Ozzie Guillen and Alomar would fit the bill nicely.
I also have a personal preference for the hiring of former MLB catchers as managers with their extensive knowledge of all facets of the game including pitching. Joe Girardi would have been a nice hire before he signed on with the Phillies. In my opinion, Alomar would be an even better one for the White Sox.
miltpappas
Hinch, Cora and steroid users should be flat-out banned for life. Sorry, Pepsi Generation. I realize people today think even murderers should be forgiven but fining and/or suspending players and managers hasn’t done anything to stop the situation. Start ending careers, you clean up the problem in 24 months.
getright11
What’s the Pepsi Generation?
balkertexasranger
La Russa coming back would be insane but super cool haha
Fever Pitch Guy
Insane but super cool? So would Heidi Watney returning to manage the Red Sox. It would be fun to watch, but I wouldn’t want to see it!!
WhiteSux24
PLEASE DO NOT GET LA RUSSA OVER HINCH OR CORA
Appalachian_Outlaw
That wouldn’t be my ideal candidate list. If those are my 3 choices though it’s hard to see LaRussa not being the best choice.
sacball
Is this the Onion?
traderumors
Lol
BobGibsonFan
“Is this the Onion?”
Very close
Brooklyn1953
Hinch, Cora, I thought the White Sox would have learned something from the 1919 World Series. Enough with these 2 cheaters. They should have been banned for life.
Steven Juris
But you’re okay with Keuchel playing for the Sox. Every single team has done these things just none as blatantly as Cora and the Astro players did.
Brooklyn1953
Hey Steven, My logon is Brooklyn1953.. It would take quite an effort on my part to care about whatever the Sox do. I do think that the Astro players that cheated got away with their crime against baseball. Hinch had no control over his team. Allowing Cora and Beltran to run this scam was something he should have stopped. Cora & Beltran lost their jobs, for now, they’ll be back, which is also B/S. The players, who were good players, took advantage of the situation and should have been, at the very least fined a substantial amount of money..
davidk1979
Nightengale is never right never
walls17
All he reported is that they will reach out.
everlastingdave
I don’t want TLR anywhere near my team.
wreckage
Good thing you don’t own any teams than.
Angels & NL West
LaRussa is currently a Special Advisor to Angels owner Arte Moreno… a scary proposition to be sure.
As an Angels fan, I strongly encourage the White Sox to take LaRussa… please.
kingcong95
0 = fastball, 1 = changeup, 2 = slider, 3 = curve…
tim2686
As a Sox fan, I want none of them. As a baseball fan, I want none of them. Would rather see what McEwing is capable of then see any of these 3 guys lead this team.
CalcetinesBlancos
I don’t want any of those guys lol.
GoLandCrabs
La Russa would not last 1 season managing modern baseball. This isn’t 1989 anymore.
Perksy
1989 was a fun year in sports.
Idioms for Idiots
@Persky
Up until the WS earthquake.
hiflew
That’s true. Most of these modern players wouldn’t last a season in 1989.
youngTank15
He did win a World Series in 2011.
Aaron Sapoznik
Tony La Russa won World Series titles in 2006 and 2011 with the Cardinals, well past his first one with the A’s. Those last two in St.Louis are a long way beyond 1989.
maximumvelocity
If Ron Washington is up for another gig, I would go after him. He clearly has had an impact in Atlanta, and has won everywhere he’s been. Also old school but understands new school.
All three of the listed options are underwhelming for various reasons
TroyVan
Ozzie Guillen is also available!
stubby66
Hell yeah bring him back!!!!!
expos_back_by_2025
Why not? He won already a WS for them
TroyVan
White Sox actually ruled him out last week.
jhomeslice
where did you read or hear that? Makes too much sense not to consider, for both sides.
gogosox59
Hahn specifically said in his press conference that Reinsdorf had already told Ozzie that he’s not a candidate.
Lloyd Emerson
If they replace Renteria with Tony LaRussa they are guano loco…
tgallagher
That’s so dumb. My guess is Hinch to the White Sox and Cora back to Boston.
TJECK109
76 years old? Who’s gonna keep him awake on the bench?
Briffle2
White Sox could bring on Griffey Jr. as a coach.
bobtillman
The newly elected President…..
Briffle2
We’re going to hear Cora’s and Hinch’s name for every managerial position for the foreseeable future. I feel like it’s already a foregone conclusion that they’ll both manage in the MLB sooner than later.
cwsOverhaul
Yes, would take Hinch against the field to become next WSox manager. Easy to envision them throwing big $$ at him b/c the timing is right. Smart/analytical, relatively young and great landing spot for his “redemption”.
TJECK109
Ain’t it amazing how a guy gets fired and suspended for a full season and they has a bidding war for him the next. This is going to be a Brady/Belichick theory. Did Hinch make the players better or did the trash can make hinch better?
Judge_Smails45
Just Hire Jim Layland back. He’s only 75
vtadave
Others rumored to be in the mix:
Jim Leyland
Tommy Lasorda
Pete Rose
Roy Face
Dick Groat
hoosierhysteria
Renteria gets no respect. He is a solid baseball man. Bochy is not going to the southside of Chicago where you might get shot walking to your car. He will stay in San Diego.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Feel like I *just* read something about San Diego…
jd396
He’s content just getting stabbed
Brennen
I think a manager like Buck Showalter would be a great hire for this particular team. Great baseball man that is good at managing pitching staffs and riding his studs for 162. Buck came into a similar situation in Baltimore for a team that was concluding its rebuilding process and then had a solid 5 year run. If they had not run into a red hot Royals team in 2014 he may have taken them all the way.
mgomrjsurf
Frank Thomas? Konerko? Steve Stone? Ryne Sandberg? Thome?
MikeS2
No, no, no, no, and no.
Dogbone
Don’t forget The Hawkeroo.
JoelKenn
What about Sandy Alomar Jr.? Bench coach under a great manager in Terry Francona, steal him from a division rival, no black cloud, and familiarity to the organization.
jay13
This is what I am saying for the southsiders. They need to look into Sandy Alomar Jr. I believe he would be a great choice to run this white sox team.
ChiSox_Fan
Yep, Sandy will be hired!
BeeVeeTee
Sandy Alomar Jr. is going to replace Terry Francona in Cleveland.
Aaron Sapoznik
If that’s the case, the White Sox should bring Terry Francona back to the organization. After retiring as a player, Francona spent the next 5 years as a manager in the White Sox minor league system that included a championship with their AA Birmingham affiliate as well as famously being the skipper of Michael Jordan. After an unsuccessful run as the Phillies manager, Francona won two World Series championships with the Red Sox and two Manager of the Year Awards with the Indians with another World Series appearance in 2016 versus the victorious Cubs. Like Rick Renteria, Francona is of Hispanic American ancestry, a bilingual manager and would a great fit on the southside of Chicago with their bevy of Latino players.
Aaron Sapoznik
Sandy Alomar Jr. will have to wait until after the 2022 season to become the Indians manager. Terry Francona signed a contract extension with the Tribe in April of 2019 that runs through 2022. Francona’s questionable health could speed up his chance to become the Indians manager but surely a managerial offer from the White Sox would take precedence over potentially waiting two more seasons.
ABCD
Francona is Italian-American.
Aaron Sapoznik
Thanks for the correction mom. It’s not the first time and might have even involved Francona before. Tito is derived from Latin (giant) and for some reason I want to associate it with Latino’s despite the fact it is a more common nickname among Europeans including Italian and Spanish males.
CrookedAsstros
I don’t know if I believe this. How difficult can it be to find a serviceable manager that the Sox would consider hiring a disgrace like Hinch or Cora? They would open themselves up to so much unnecessary criticism, and for what? Everyone makes fun of Dusty Baker but he got this crippled Astros team to the ALCS, clearly the ChiSox don’t need Hinch or Cora lol
ABCD
Why not Joe Espada? He was a finalist in a couple of managerial openings last year?
If the Astros come back against the Rays and then win the World Series, Dusty Baker would probably leap to being just behind Bruce Bochy for HOF consideration. Lou Pinella almost made it in the last Veterans Committee vote. Others who should be considered are Terry Francona and Jim Leyland.
IronBallsMcGinty
I hope whoever they get that they consider keeping Frank Menechino on as hitting coach. He clearly has made much more of a difference than Todd Steverson ever did. There is plenty of time though. No need for hasty decisions
azcrook
Ron Wotus of the Giants is old school who gets the new analytical game. He has been a bench coach, base coach, and a minor league manager. Over 23 years with the Giants. Three World Series rings. He deserves a shot.
jhomeslice
Well anybody is better than Renteria. I don’t like the idea of LaRussa but he’s not a stupid man, just been away from the dugout for too long probably.
I hope someone like Ozzie perhaps. We’ll see what other names pop up, hopefully someone cooler than these 3. Hinch… no, just because of the sign stealing crap. You don’t want the stigma of all of that.
wordonthestreet
Ozzie has zero chance of gettng his job back.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Just no on Ozzie. Threw his players under the bus, had profanity-laced tirades with the media, had some rather unpopular political views…at a certain point, the sideshow outweighs the benefits of his baseball knowledge.
emt126
LaRussa. Spokesman for the Hall,of Mediocre
thurmanmerman33
I think it’s no coincidence that Hawk Harrelson retired from broadcasting, Sox then hired a lame duck coach and now have a coaching vacancy. He’ll definitely be interviewed and most likely will get hired. Probably just a 2 year contract to give him enough time to win a WS. He was alive when they won in 2005 so he knows what it takes to win a championship.
ABCD
We can be sillier than that. Fire Hahn. Make Hawk the GM, Tony the manager, and Leyland the third base coach. Let Jimmy smoke in the coaching box. Do it in loving memory of Ursula.
jd396
Don’t forget to get Kenny Williams in on the action.
uvmfiji
Put Fisk in left field!
Prunella Vulgaris
Hawk sucked when he was GM.
IronBallsMcGinty
If memory serves, Tony had the Sox playing good in the mid eighties and then Hawk fired him.
friendly illinois brethren
I’m ok with this but insist on Harold Baines being the bench coach and heir apparent to the GM.
Eric C
I wonder if the Sox would consider either Bruce Bochy or Mike Scioscia — they both have enjoyed World Series success and are considerably younger than La Russa. I also would consider Sandy Alomar Jr, but as the article states, the team’s looking for a manager with postseason success.
driftcat28 2
Bring back Ozzie Guillen!
friendly illinois brethren
To play shortstop.
Yep it is
Put LaRussa in the dugout keep him out of the front office. He is a duel member of the Hall of Fame and Hall of Shame for front office work. He and Dave Stewart killed the D-Backs and that was after Kevon Towers had ran them straight into the ground.
SueJen
Please take David Bell off the Reds Hands! Lol
VegasGreek
Hey guys.
First, not shocked about the Renteria ordeal. Also, McEwing is not going to be the next skipper. Can we all agree? Yes? Ok cool.
Next, Hinch in my mind will never be a manager again. Cora, eh, maybe.
Tony? Let me just say this. I have always been a fan of Tony. The man is smart as a whip. 76, been away? Yeah, but I personally don’t believe he has lost anything. Example, Buck Showalter, went away for a few years, then went to Baltimore and had the most wins from 12-15.
My vote is for Tony. Close to the owner also. I think it’s his to lose. If not, here’s another name….Lee Mazzilli. I think Maz if ever got the chance again he’d be ideal. Again, Tony’s job to lose.
thebare54
They got the best manager in Chicago now Don t be stupid owner
Rsox
If the White Sox were in absolute win-now mode maybe LaRussa would make sense, but in such a short sample as this season was its hard to say how close the White Sox are. Plus LaRussa would likely only be a one or two season Manager given his age. Buck Showalter would make sense or maybe John Gibbons if they want a veteran manager to be around a while
BeeVeeTee
I still believe Rick Hahn will name AJ Pierzynski as the White Sox manager!
maximumvelocity
You don’t say?
Fred McGriff
Ah yes, let’s discriminate against Tony La Russa, well just because of his age, nothing else, and some here saying “he doesn’t know today’s game”, he was the guy that played the bullpen game first…..But yeah, let’s talk about all those ‘other things’ going on in society today, but if a guy is 76, well ‘it’s impossible that he can or could do a good job’, because I read it on these boards so it must be right. Age discrimination is a thing.
Aaron Sapoznik
Well said. Some of these commenters will likely be voting for a certain 72-year old Presidential candidate who currently holds a far more important job than that of an MLB manager. As a long time history buff and a die-hard MLB, White Sox and Cubs fan since the early 1960’s I would take Tony La Russa’s law degree and baseball IQ over the ‘intellect’ of the man currently residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
While I still expect the White Sox to hire a younger manager like Sandy Alomar Jr., it would come as no surprise to me if Jerry Reinsdorf decided his last managerial hire for the White Sox would be the one who sat in the dugout first when he bought the team back in 1981, Tony La Russa. As a fellow senior and a big fan of La Russa’s managing over the years, I would endorse such a move if it did materialize. As for the guy at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Boomer says not so much.
ChiSoxCity
It’s not ageism in this scenario. I think it’s unrealistic to hire a 76 year old guy to manage a ballclub full of 20-somethings. And frankly, more younger people need to be given opportunities to lead in our society. The time for passing the proverbial torch has been LONG overdue with that generation.
jd396
How is “Rule out the 76-year-old because old people can’t relate to 20-somethings, we need someone younger” not ageism
ChiSoxCity
Because I’m addressing Baby Boomers in general. They’re the first and only generation who refuse to retire or groom younger generations for leadership. It’s very self-serving. The country is a mess largely because Babyboomers refuse to step aside with their outdated views on both sides of the political spectrum in this country. It’s not fair to younger people, who by and large will be worse off than their predecessors as a result.
Prunella Vulgaris
Young people are blank canvasses — no relevant life experience. Nothing more than high investment, no return cry babies.
Fred McGriff
@ChiSoxCity
Just wondering, should Warren Buffett retire because of his age?
It’s people like you that make society worse, if someone loves to do something, then age, colour, religion, should have no bearing on their potential ability to do a job, but you want people to push off, well just because you have a terminology and word for them, and according to you because of their “outdated views”. How absolutely ridiculous & lacking credibility your opinion is, but you’re entitled to it. La Russa could do the job just as well as anyone half his age, but according to you he shouldn’t be entitled to have an opportunity because ‘he’s old’. It’s your opinion that is “self-serving”. Good day.
ChiSoxCity
Warren Buffet is 90 years old. I’ll leave it at that. Nothing else need be said about this idiotic post.
Fred McGriff
@ChiSoxCity The only idiotic post is yours. Dusty Baker is 5 years younger than LaRussa, and you, an ‘MLBTR expert’ want to rub LaRussa out just because of his age, and you have the audacity to use the word “idiotic”.
Indeed, Buffett is 90 & is still running a billion dollar company at 90 years of age. Enough said about you and your discriminatory & intolerant bigoted remarks about age & what you term ‘babyboomers’…Your sense of entitlement is a good example of today’s society.
youngTank15
Your bias is showing, the other candidate is older.
maximumvelocity
Your bias is showing is literally the dumbest phrase and I wish people would stop using it.
IronBallsMcGinty
I think the phrase “makes too much sense” is dumb but I accept that people will still use it.
uvmfiji
Ozzie Guillen
msqboxer
It’s Joe Espada’s job to turn down…He’s been with the Marlins, Yankees and Astros and coached Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Speaks fluent spanish, won’t demand high $$’s, wasn’t implicated in the Astros cheating scandal and Dusty won’t want to step down and hand the job over to him.
jd396
Things went from “Hinch and Cora should get the guillotine” to “Bidding war for Hinch and Cora” in a hurry
hyraxwithaflamethrower
My first pick would be Bochy if he’s interested. I know it’d mean coming out of retirement, but he’d be handed an undeniably talented ballclub with WS aspirations and he’s been there before. After him, I’d go with Alomar, Jr. Another catcher who’s well-respected, but he also speaks Spanish. Would hate it if they got La Russa, Hinch, or Cora. Even if the latter two have put their cheating days behind them, it’s a bad look PR-wise and could be a distraction, which is not what a young team needs.
mrpeanut4
Alomar or Visquel, done deal.
mrpeanut4
Alomar or Visquel, done deal.
mrpeanut4
Alomar or Visquel, done deal.
Aaron Sapoznik
Sandy Alomar Jr. is a possibility. Omar Vizquel has no chance since he and the White Sox had already “mutually parted ways” following the 2019 season after he managed in their minor league system for two seasons.
mrpeanut4
Your probably right I just like Visquel. Thought
he just fits in well with this young team.
IronBallsMcGinty
Any suggestions for a pitching coach? Maybe see if Buehrle is up to it?
Idioms for Idiots
@IronBallsMcGinty
That’s a hard question. I think a relatively younger guy (maybe in his 40’s or early 50’s) who would relate better to the players, though I wouldn’t isolate it to that age range. But at the same time, having a pitching coach with great experience would be very helpful for this mostly young staff.
I think Buehrle would be okay, but I don’t think he would want it. Buehrle seemed like when he wanted to retire, he was going to ride off into the sunset and leave baseball behind. But then again, I never thought Robin Ventura would want to manage a team before he took the job back in ’12, so what do I know.
ChiSoxCity
Personally, I would raid the Rays coaching staff for candidates, given their history of pitcher development and analytics.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
@ChiSoxCity Or the Indians. They always seem to have someone else stepping up, which is why they thought they could afford to lose Clevinger.
Fred K. Burke
My choice is easy. Bruce Bochy. The man’s a winner. He’s well respected, tough but fair. He demands players excel at the fundamentals. Bochy’s reputation would also draw any free agents to the team if the Sox desire to go that route this off season which they will likely do. He’s now 65 years and has been away from managing since 2019 when he retired. So it’s up to him he he wishes to get back into “the grind”. If Bochy is interested in returning, he’s the guy. This Sox team has talent. Money to spend and is now a very desirable place to play.
Prunella Vulgaris
I remember that Ron Gardenhire did a great job with the Twins young teams; Ozzie called them piranhas. Could he do the same for the Sox?
jhomeslice
He quit for health reasons with Detroit this year, otherwise would be great choice.
Idioms for Idiots
FWIW, for those who want Bochy as manager (I’m fine with that), according to NBC Sports Chicago, he’s open to managing again and he will listen to the Sox. Not that this makes him the favorite to get the job, but at least there some substance to that rumor and not blind speculation by someone wanting attention.
I guess we’ll see.
ChiSoxCity
I still say enough with the dinosaurs. Plenty of organizations have found success with younger, more innovative picks to manage. There are plenty of 50, 40 somethings with championship experience.
wordonthestreet
Agree with ChiSoxCity
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Why does old = wrong or bad? I get that some managers, like Renteria, have been against using analytics to make their in-game decisions, but there are others who are more open-minded. Bochy won three titles in five years, the most recent one just six years ago. He gets the best out of his players and he’s much better at managing an actual ballgame than Rick will ever be.
KCJ
Because you’re hearing it from young people who think they already know everything
Aaron Sapoznik
With reports circulating that Bruce Bochy is amenable to managing again including with the White Sox, Rick Hahn should immediately offer him the richest managerial contract in MLB history before the Dodgers do the same if they get eliminated by the Braves this week.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Bochy on the Dodgers should finally get them that ring. Seems like every year, they’re on the short-list of WS favorites and we’re picking them to run all over the NL…then every year, they fall just a little short.
jhomeslice
If he did not pass away this year, they could have hired Jim Frey. On a positive note, Lee Elia is still available and is only 83. Gene Lamont is probably too young for that job at 73, they need someone with more experience. Joey Amalfitano?
ABCD
Sure! Just need permission to speak to Joey from the Giants.
jints1
Hard to figure LaRussa getting the ok from the Angels to interview and not being the front runner. He doesn’t need to compete with others given his stature in the game. He will get the job. I don’t think it is a good move.
ldoggnation
As an Angel fan, I can say…Take him, please!
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Better than Hinch or Cora, but that doesn’t make it a good move. And if it’s down to him and Bochy, Bochy in a heartbeat. I’d take Alomar, Jr., over La Russa, too.
Angels & NL West
On behalf of Angels fans everywhere, I say Go Tony Go! No seriously, go.
kellin
Well, the follow up to this article says the Angels have given the OK
MLBTR Commenter
Dumpster divin’
jints1
As a Giants fan, I have a lot of admiration for Bochy. However, the last five years under Bochy were not good. While the front office took the brunt of the blame, some has to go to Bochy. The Giants performance under Kapler this past season far exceeded 2019.
ChiSoxCity
The Giants roster was AAA, so yeah, the front office was to blame. They’re desperately trying to hide the fact that they’re rebuilding from a fanbase that has grown entitled and impatient over the years. Rebuilds require some lean years of bad baseball, where managers generally are sacrificial lambs 90% of the time.
Outfield Fly
Recent Championship winner who might be available I haven’t seen mentioned: Ned Yost.
Just a thought.
Aaron Sapoznik
It’s actually a good thought. Ned Yost mostly managed non-contending teams with the Brewers and Royals which accounts for his .473 regular season winning percentage over his 16-year managerial career. That said, Yost did have a a .710 postseason W-L percentage with his only playoff teams in Kansas City with each reaching the World Series. In 2014, the Royals went 11-4 before losing in 7 games to Bruce Bochy’s Giants. In 2015, the Royals went 11-5 in the postseason and beat the Mets in 7 games.
Yost is just slightly older than Bochy at 66 and considerably younger than presumed favorite Tony La Russa. Like Bochy, Yost is also a former MLB catcher. As a White Sox fan I would be happy with any of these 3 veteran managers along with some younger candidates like Sandy Alomar Jr. or Joe Espada.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I wouldn’t mind that at all. I’d slot him in between Bochy and Alomar, Jr., on order of preference if he becomes available.
cubfanforever
Throw a dart, Bochy , Espana, Alomar Jr.
LaRussa no thanks, not touching Hinch or Cora.
cubfanforever
I meant Espada.
Chitown Tony
Oh man, no La Russa, he’s got to be 105 by now
KCJ
While he sure had some great moments 15-30 years ago and has a lot of great accomplishments on his resume, my last 2 memories of LaRussa are the absolute disaster he and Dave Stewart created in Arizona, and the ridiculous, inexcusable part he played in getting Harold Baines elected into the Hall of Fame. That’s who Tony LaRussa is now. No hiding from that.
mrpeanut4
Espada ok. None of the other fossils please!!!
msqboxer
To me the obvious choice is Joe Espada…why would you go with a LaRussa when you have the core of this team locked up for the next 3-5 years already.
stan lee the manly
The LaRussa “scoop” came from Nightengale, so it’s already DOA. Seriously doubt he would even take the interview in the first place
kellin
And it looks like you’d be wrong. Update to article says otherwise…
PiratesFan1981
There is always Lloyd McClendon
bjhaas1977
This guy looks the same for 40 years! Lol
dontstopnowboys
It is going to be Hinch! Everything else is just chaff.
tgallagher
Nooooooooooo!
jdwakefield
Off topic but Tim Kanter should get a free luxury suite at GRate Field.
stevep-4
How about John McGraw, he’s a grizzled veteran manager too..