(670 The Score) White Sox manager Tony La Russa did it again Tuesday. For the second time this season, he elected to intentionally walk an opposing hitter despite his pitcher being ahead in the count.
During the fifth inning of the White Sox's eventual 4-1 loss to the Guardians in the opener of a doubleheader, La Russa chose to intentionally walk Guardians star Jose Ramirez with first base open after he hit a foul ball for an 0-1 count. It left White Sox television broadcasters Jason Benetti and Steve Stone quite confused.
“We’ve seen some stuff,” Benetti said after Stone couldn't attempt to explain La Russa’s decision.
The Guardians led 4-0 at the time of the intentional walk, with a runner on second base and two outs. White Sox right-hander Davis Martin struck out Guardians designated hitter Franmil Reyes in the following at-bat to leave two runners stranded. During the third inning, Ramirez had hit a two-run single after the White Sox declined to intentionally walk him with first base open.
On June 9 at Guaranteed Rate Field, La Russa elected to walk Dodgers star Trea Turner on a 1-2 count. His decision was based in part on his sudden desire to have the White Sox face Dodgers slugger Max Muncy, who followed with a three-run home run while appearing to yell in La Russa’s direction as he crossed home plate.
During a tense postgame press conference after that game – one the White Sox dropped 11-9 to the Dodgers – La Russa insisted it was “not a tough call” to intentionally walk Turner on a 1-2 count. He cited Turner being a good two-strike hitter for his reasoning.
“Is there some question about whether that was a good move or not?” La Russa said then.
The 77-year-old La Russa, who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, came out of retirement prior to last season to manage the White Sox. Chicago won the AL Central crown with a 93-69 record before losing to the Houston Astros in the AL Division Series.
The White Sox are considered one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this season, falling to 41-44 after their loss to the Guardians in the opener Tuesday. For his part, La Russa has come under strong criticism.
Former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who led the team to a World Series championship in 2005, called the team disinterested on the NBC Sports Chicago postgame show Monday following Chicago's 8-4 loss to Cleveland on Monday.
“Tony, come on, just wake up, man,” Guillen said. “Believe me, I’m sorry, you’re my hero. I love you. But if I’m managing, I’m going to let them know exactly what they need to hear from everyone. I’d say, ‘Hey, guys, what are we doing here?’ This is not the first time we’ve seen this happen. This happens almost every day.
"I don’t know if they want to be there. They’re not having fun at all.”
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