Former major league outfielder Grady Sizemore has been appointed interim manager of the struggling Chicago White Sox, just hours after the team dismissed Pedro Grifol following an unprecedented losing streak that ended earlier this week.
Sizemore, a three-time All-Star and Gold Glove center fielder during his eight seasons with Cleveland, played his final years in the majors with Philadelphia in 2014 and 2015. At 42, he was brought on this season as a first-time member of Chicago’s major-league coaching staff. He now steps in to manage a White Sox team currently at the bottom of MLB with a 22-89 record.
The White Sox recently ended a 21-game losing streak, which tied an American League record and fell just short of the modern MLB record of 23 consecutive losses set by the 1961 Phillies. They broke their losing streak with a win against the A’s on Tuesday, but lost again on Wednesday.
Along with Grifol’s dismissal, the White Sox also let go of bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third-base coach Eddie Rodriguez, and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar. Doug Sisson will join Sizemore’s staff as bench coach, with Justin Jirschele as third-base coach and Mike Gellinger as assistant hitting coach. This reshuffling reflects the overall turmoil within the White Sox organization this season.
Sizemore is the first former Phillie to manage a big-league team since David Bell was hired by the Reds before the 2019 season. However, his tenure may be brief, as the White Sox announced they are beginning their search for a new permanent manager immediately, with an announcement expected after the 2024 season.
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