(670 The Score) Former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski has emerged as a serious candidate to manage the club in 2025, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Sunday morning.
That possibility hinges on current White Sox manager Pedro Grifol being fired, which is the expectation at season’s end, if not sooner. Under Grifol’s guidance, the White Sox were 27-80 entering play Sunday, which is pacing for the worst record in franchise history and one of the worst seasons in MLB history.
Pierzynski, 47, is currently a color analyst for MLB on Fox. He called the White Sox’s 6-3 loss to the Mariners on Fox on Saturday evening. He also co-hosts the Foul Territory podcast, a platform where he’s been quite critical of the White Sox.
Pierzynski has long been open to the idea of managing, saying on multiple occasions that it would be hard to turn down that opportunity if it presented itself.
The fiery Pierzynski played for the White Sox from 2005 to 2012 and was a key member of their World Series-winning team in 2005. He was beloved by teammates, despised by many opponents and a fan favorite on the South Side. Pierzynski was a two-time All-Star whose MLB career spanned from 1998 to 2016.