The cellar-dwelling Chicago White Sox fired manager Pedro Grifol on Thursday, two days after the team snapped an American League record-tying 21-game losing streak.
Grady Sizemore, a former All-Star outfielder who served as a White Sox coach this season, was named the interim manager. The team said a new skipper will be announced at the conclusion of the season.
Chicago also relieved bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third base coach Eddie Rodriguez and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar of their duties. For the remainder of the season, they will be replaced by Doug Sisson, Justin Jirschele and Mike Gellinger, respectively.
The White Sox dropped to 28-89 with Wednesday’s 3-2 road loss to the Oakland A’s. Entering Thursday’s action, the Colorado Rockies had the next-worst record in the majors at 42-73.
“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 the 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 new energy around the team.”
Grifol, hired ahead of the 2023 season, leaves with an 89-190 overall record. In addition to the 21-game skid from July 10 through Aug. 5, the White Sox also endured a 14-game losing streak from May 22 to June 6.
The White Sox, who finished 61-101 in 2023, are on pace to lose more than 100 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the franchise’s 124-year history.
Grifol, 54, previously worked as a coach for the Kansas City Royals from 2013-22.
Sizemore, 42, retired in 2015 after 10 seasons in the major leagues, most of them with Cleveland. He was a minor league instructor with the Guardians, then a coach for the Diamondbacks of the Arizona Complex League, before joining Grifol’s staff as the outfield and baserunning coach this season.
The White Sox are off Thursday before hosting the Chicago Cubs for a two-game series on Friday and Saturday.