Pack Your Bags, La Russa
June 14, 2022 - Hey Tony La Russa, it’s time to go. Following another blown opportunity by the White Sox Sunday, La Russa was greeted with boos from the White Sox faithful. It is clear that White Sox fans are fed up with manager Tony La Russa, and rightfully so. Since La Russa was hired in 2020 the Sox are 121 - 100 with one of the youngest and most exciting teams in baseball. Some might look at this record and think, “what is the problem, La Russa has managed them 21 games over .500 and lead them to the playoffs in 2021”. This may be true but 2022 has been a different story. Starting off the 2022 campaign the White Sox went 8-12 in the month of April, following up with a promising 15-12 in May and a 5-7 record so far in June, putting them in third place in the American League central and 6 games back from first place. With multiple injuries to their starting lineup including, Michael Kopech, Joe Kelly, Yasmani Grandal, Tim Anderson, and Eloy Jimenez the White Sox are hopeful to see them return to the field soon and start winning some ball games.
That is not why La Russa has lost his way. In the past two weeks La Russa has made some questionable managerial decisions that have not set well with anyone. The controversy started on June 9th when the White Sox took on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Starting off strong the Sox would put up 3 runs early, but the dodgers would come back to take the lead in the 5th inning. Down by two runs in the top of the 6th inning with Freddie Freeman on first base after an RBI single La Russa would signal for an intentional walk on Trea Turner. The problem wasn’t that La Russa intentionally walked Turner, it was that La Russa signaled for the intentional walk with a 1-2 count on Turner with two outs in the inning. My assumption is that La Russa wanted to have a force out at any base to end the inning, but that is not what would happen. Following the intentional walk, Max Muncy would take Bennett Sousa deep for a three-run homerun, putting the Dodgers up 10-5 late in the game.
What the fuck are you doing La Russa. 2 outs in the inning you are intentionally walking Turner with a 1-2 count to bring up Max Muncy to face a pitcher with a 8.41 ERA? La Russa deserves the media bashing after that decision. Not only did he make a bad call, but the White Sox would fight their way back and only lose this game 11-9. If La Russa didn’t make the crucial error in walking Trea Turner the White Sox may have won this ball game. Following the Thursday’s debacle things would not get better for La Russa as the White Sox would lose in extra innings Sunday against the Texas Rangers. Following the loss, La Russa was booed out of the stadium by angered White Sox fans.
Unfortunately, the White Sox spiral continues. On Monday, June 13th Lance Lynn would make his 2022 debut after coming off the IL. Lynn not factor in the games decision but is seen in the dugout after giving up 3 runs in 4.1 IP arguing with third base coach Joe McEwing. According to NBC Sports Chicago, Lynn said the argument was not about the game but was actually about steaks. Yes, you heard me correctly steaks. Lynn said “ He was trying to get me going, he kept telling me filet is better than ribeye”. I may not be the first to call this one but I’m calling bullshit on that explanation. It is clear that La Russa has no control over his team as the White Sox continue to move in the opposite direction.
With the firings of Phillies manager Joe Girardi and Angels manager Joe Maddon following their teams struggles, La Russa could be the next big name manager to hit the road packing. The White sox clearly need a change and it’s unfortunate but the manager is almost always the one that gets the blame. Since changing managers the Phillies have hit their stride winning 10 of their last 11 games, while the Angels continue to struggle, dropping 16 of their last 18 games. The White Sox may take a chance and take a page out of the Phillies playbook by firing La Russa and letting their young talent play their way with an interim manager. No matter what happens, Tony La Russa has got to go as the White Sox manager .