(670 The Score) Manager Pedro Grifol’s time in the White Sox dugout has run out.
On the heels of a historic losing streak and sitting at an MLB-worst 28-89, the White Sox on Thursday morning fired Grifol in his second season on the job, the club announced. Grifol’s dismissal came after the White Sox recently set a franchise record for futility with 21 straight losses, a skid they snapped with a 5-1 win against the Athletics on Tuesday before they lost 3-2 in the series finale in Oakland on Wednesday and returned home. That most recent losing streak came of the heels of the White Sox losing 14 straight games in late May and early June, which came after the club posted a 3-22 start to the season.
“As we all recognize, our team’s performance this season has been disappointing on many levels,” general manager Chris Getz said in a statement. “Despite the on-field struggles and lack of success, we appreciate the effort and professionalism Pedro and the staff brought to the ballpark every day. These two seasons have been very challenging. Unfortunately, the results were not there, and a change is necessary as we look to our future and the development of a new energy around the team.”
The 54-year-old Grifol was 89-190 in his two seasons with the White Sox. His .319 winning percentage is the worst of any manager in White Sox history.
At 28-89, the White Sox are on pace to go 39-123. In the modern era (since 1900), the 1962 Mets hold the record for most losses in a season with 120. They went 40-120 while playing 160 games.
The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics went 36-117, a .235 winning percentage that’s the worst in the modern era. The White Sox currently hold a .239 winning percentage.
Though the team didn't immediately announce anything on this front, White Sox bench coach Charlie Montoyo is a leading candidate to take over interim managerial duties for the remainder of the season. He managed the Blue Jays from 2019-'22.
The White Sox will begin a search for a new manager immediately, with a replacement expected to be announced after the conclusion of this season, the team said.
Until Tuesday, the White Sox hadn't earned a win since they beat the Twins on July 10. Coming out of the All-Star break, Grifol held a team meeting in which he tried to motivate his players by telling them they’ll be remembered forever if they become the worst team in MLB history. Veteran players were upset by that approach, sources told the Parkins & Spiegel Show.
That wasn’t the first time that Grifol drew the ire of his players for comments he made. In late May, Grifol made headlines when he called out his players for being “f****** flat” after a 4-1 loss to the Orioles. He then doubled down on that perspective, while his players pushed back at the criticism by crediting Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish for pitching a great game.
Grifol was named the White Sox’s new manager in November 2022 after previous manager Tony La Russa stepped away earlier that year due to health reasons. Grifol had previously worked for the Royals for a decade, including as their bench coach.
Upon being hired, Grifol proclaimed the White Sox would play cleaner, fundamentally sound baseball, which he believed would translate to winning.
“We will be fundamentally sound, we will play with passion, pride for this uniform,” he said back then. “This means something. We will respect the game, our fans and earn their trust. We will be prepared to control the strike zone on both sides of the ball. We will work hard and play winning baseball every night.”
That wasn’t the case. Instead, Grifol will be remembered for being the worst manager in franchise history.