The Chicago White Sox announced that manager Pedro Grifol has been fired following the team’s worst season in franchise history.
“As we all know, our team’s performance this season has been disappointing in many ways,” White Sox executive vice president and general manager Chris Getz said in an official statement posted to social media. “Despite the challenges and lack of success on the field, I appreciate the hard work and professionalism that Pedro and his staff bring to the field every day. These two seasons have been extremely challenging. Unfortunately, the results have not been forthcoming, and changes are needed to move forward and develop new energy around our team.”
Before Grifol left the team, the White Sox had the American League record for most consecutive losses at 21, a streak not seen since the Baltimore Orioles in 1988.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM.
Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol walks to the dugout before a game against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on July 26, 2024. The Mariners beat the White Sox 10-0. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
The White Sox broke their doldrums with a 5-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, but lost the series 3-2 on Wednesday night.
The White Sox are scheduled to face their northern rivals the Chicago Cubs on Friday, but Grifol won’t be in the dugout.
Longest losing streak in North American sports history: White Sox avoid MLB record
The White Sox statement continued, saying the search for a new manager will begin immediately and that a replacement for Grifol is expected to be announced after the 2024 campaign.
The White Sox are 28-89 under Grifol this season, the worst record in MLB. As Getz noted last season, Grifol did not lead the White Sox in the right direction, going 61-101 in his first season as manager.
After Hall of Famer Tony La Russa announced late in the 2022 campaign that he would have to step down due to health issues, the search for Grifol to replace Miguel Cairo was an extensive one. The team went through 30 candidates before ultimately deciding to take Grifol.
Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol (#5) argues with umpire Chris Guccione (#68) after a stolen base run was called in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, on June 12, 2024. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Getz didn’t lead the search; then-GM Rick Hahn made the decision to bring Grifol into the organization.
But Grifol never really settled in, the record speaks for itself, and there were clubhouse issues: Hahn and front-office executive Kenny Williams were fired last season.
The White Sox are looking to recapture their recent playoff run in 2020 and 2021, the latter of which saw them capture the AL Central Division title. But they will be focusing on the prospects that will be coming off this season, with a close look at Jonathan Cannon and Kia Bush to see what happens in 2025.
Chicago White Sox’s fifth hitter, Pedro Grifol, warms up in the dugout after being ejected from the game in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 2, 2024. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
But the White Sox look more likely to break their worst losing season after 162 regular-season games this year. They went 49-102-1 in 1932.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverageAnd subscribe Fox News Sports Hurdles Newsletter.
