"They picked Pedro in front of me"- Ex-White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen questions team's managerial choice after 20th straight loss
The Chicago White Sox have been the worst team of the 2024 season, sitting with a .237 winning percentage. They recently recorded their 20th consecutive loss, a rough 13-7 defeat against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.
The White Sox are 27-87 and have no hope for a comeback this year, ranking last in the AL Central. With such a poor record, it’s no surprise the managerial staff is facing criticism.
Amid all the backlash, the team’s former skipper Ozzie Guillen also didn’t back down. In an episode with NBC Sports Chicago’s Chuck Garfien and former player Frank Thomas, Guillen discussed White Sox manager Pedro Grifol and his managerial record, which now stands at 88-188.
“That means Pedro is 100 games under .500 from the time he got the job. I gotta go to psychologist tomorrow… A few years ago, I was happy, man. Now, I’m bitter and weird… Because I don’t think I was a bad manager but they picked Pedro in front of me… I was like, ‘God, I’m this bad?',” Guillen said.
Ozzie Guillen, who was expecting to become the White Sox’s manager a second time in 2022, had mixed feelings when a candidate with no managerial experience was chosen instead. Seeing how things stand now with the team, he added that he feels embarrassed.
Before their 20-game losing streak, the Chicago White Sox had also lost 14 games in a row.
Pedro Grifol opens up about conversations with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf
Following their struggles, Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf had a meeting with manager Pedro Grifol and general manager Chris Getz. Discussing this before their loss on Sunday, Grifol said (via Chicago Sun Times):
‘‘I have had conversations with Jerry and Chris… I know in my heart what his intentions are. I know what he wants to see this organization do. And those are my feelings.”
“Take it how you want to take it. I’ve had enough conversations with the man that I know what he’s looking for and what’s in his heart and what he wants for this organization and the fans of Chicago. And, you know, it’s our responsibility to give it to him. And if we don’t, well, he’s gotta make decisions. That’s just the way it is.’’
The Chicago White Sox will open a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics on Monday at Oakland Coliseum.