CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- White Sox manager Pedro Grifol stepped up on Tuesay and took the blame for his team's lost season.
The White Sox entered their two-game series with the Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field at 41-60 and 12.5 games back of first place in the American League Central division.
"I am disappointed in our season and this is on me, "Grifol said Tuesday afternoon. "It's simple. I told everybody we had high expectations and I was going to lead us where we want to go. It's all very disappointing, but that doesn't mean i am going to quit. Just because it's not working, doesn't mean I won't prepare for the next game or series. We are just trying to get better. But I am disappointed."
The White Sox entered this season with high expectations to win, this coming two years removed from an AL Central title season in 2021. The White Sox were 81-81 last season with Tony La Russa leading as manager.
Grifol was tabbed to replace La Russa after he retired following last season due to medical issues. The White Sox endured a 10-game losing streak in April that set them to 7-21. But following the sweep by the Twins last weekend, the White Sox hit their low-water mark at 19 games under the .500 mark.
"I am not going to run from this are hide from this," Grifol said. "It all falls on me. There are a ton of different components involved and we will address all of them. There will be no stone unturned here when it comes to getting this thing right. We will try to finish the year strong and move into the type of baseball we want to play. There is a culture we want to build that hasn't happened. Again, that is on me. Nobody else. It's on me. There's only one way to go and that is put your head down and keep working. I will not throw our players under the bus before during and after games.
"We do have some tough conversations. We don't just sit here and tell them everything is good. So, whether its personnel changes or cultural changes or whatever the case will be, it's going to happen. This is too good of an organization and too good of an owner for it not to happen."
As the White Sox prepare to likely sell off key players like right-hander Lucas Giolito and shortstop Tim Anderson prior to MLB's Aug. 1 trade deadline, Grifol gave a final warning to the entire group – including coaches and staff.
"Everyone has to look at themselves in the mirror," Grifol said. "We must all say, 'Am I as good as I could be?' Myself included. Was I as good as I could have been? Probably not. There are a lot of things I could have done different. I am not going to hide from that either. But we are going to be headed in the right direction."
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