Bob Nightengale is once again making headlines for some questionable opinions on the Chicago White Sox.
The USA TODAY Sports MLB columnist appeared on 670 The Score’s Mully & Haugh Show on Tuesday morning and shared some less-than-positive thoughts on the job first-year manager Pedro Grifol has done.
“All spring, they were saying ‘Look at what the new manager is doing – Pedro Grifol.’ He’s done nothing. It’s the same thing,” Nightengale said. “I was joking that they should give Tony La Russa another plaque in Cooperstown for actually winning with this team. Nobody else has been able to do it. I think they’ve got no choice but to break that thing up. Obviously, it’s not working. The third manager is unable to do much with it.”
Of course, the White Sox failed to meet high expectations under the leadership of Tony La Russa. The team missed the playoffs while going an abysmal 81-81 in 2022, after which La Russa stepped down due to ongoing health problems. Though the White Sox won the AL Central in 2021 by going 93-69, they were dismantled by the Astros in the divisional round and secured just one playoff win.
“I think it’s very frustrating,” Nightengale continued. “Particularly all spring, they kept saying this is the year, look at all the new energy and stuff is happening. It’s the same old story. Nothing has changed since a year ago.”
While the blame can be placed on many people due to this year’s poor start, it should begin with those in much higher positions within the organization rather than a manager who inherited a poor situation to begin with. Heading into today’s game against the Dodgers, the White Sox are 29-38 and sit 4.5 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. Their performance in the coming weeks will likely dictate how the organization approaches this year’s trade deadline and potentially even their long-term future.
You can watch the full segment on 670 The Score’s YouTube channel.
For more updates, follow us on social media @SoxOn35th!
Featured Photo: © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK