(670 The Score) While those outside the White Sox clubhouse may be wondering whether manager Tony La Russa is a fit for the team after he clashed with rookie designated hitter Yermin Mercedes earlier in the week, one of his star players and team leaders expressed support for him Friday.
Shortstop Tim Anderson downplayed skepticism over La Russa's leadership following a tumultuous week in which La Russa's criticism of Mercedes created national headlines, with Anderson saying the players and La Russa don't have to be in agreement on every topic to coexist and succeed.
"Tony is like the dad and we're like his kids," Anderson said from Yankee Stadium before the White Sox opened a series against the Yankees. "We're like the bad kids who don't listen. But we all get along.
"We're getting along just fine. He's going to put us in a position to be successful."
La Russa, 76, condemned Mercedes for swinging away and homering on a 3-0 pitch from Twins infielder Willians Astudillo in the ninth inning of the White Sox's blowout 16-4 win Monday. The White Sox had given Mercedes the take sign. La Russa called it a "big mistake" for Mercedes to swing away and added he would deal with internal consequences. It isn't clear what those consequences were.
On Tuesday night, Twins reliever Tyler Duffey threw behind Mercedes in the seventh inning of their game. Duffey and manager Rocco Baldelli were each ejected Tuesday and received suspensions Thursday. Anderson called it a "sign of weakness" from the Twins to throw behind Mercedes.
The White Sox won two of three games against the Twins and enter play Friday leading the AL Central at 26-16 despite injuries to outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert.
"With the hits that we've taken, we've managed to keep competing and we've gotten our share of wins," La Russa said. "That's happened because this is a really strong character team."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.