"You've got to do better" - Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo slams White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, blames him for team's problems
Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo, an outspoken analyst, had a distasteful reaction to the Chicago White Sox dismissing Pedro Grifol of his managerial duties. The Sox appointed Grady Sizemore for the interim position as they begin their search for a new manager.
However, Russo thinks the onus is on White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf for the team's worst season in decades and that he should be the one to take the blame for the disastrous season.
He elaborated his point by taking the example of the Chicago Bulls, whose owner is also Reindsorf, winning six NBA championships due to Michael Jordan, who was drafted by GM Rod Thorn, pointing out that the owner has nothing to boast about.
“I’ve been on the radio for 43 years. You think I’ve won more than six rating books? Go look it up,” Russo said. "Enough already. You’ve got to do better than this! And remember, I know he won six championships with the Bulls; he can thank Rod Thorn for that because Thorn drafted Michael Jordan because Portland drafted Sam Bowie before that.
"And if it wasn’t for Thorn—before he owned the team—they never would’ve won anything. Jordan’s the reason they won the six—not because of Jerry Krause, but because of Jordan and Thorn, who drafted Jordan."
He used MJ's example to point to Jerry Reinsdorf for his role in the ownership of the White Sox.
“But 40-something years with six postseasons is not good enough," Russo added.
"With no playoff series wins in any year except the year you won it. How about you stand up there today and say, ‘You know what? This is embarrassing. We can’t have a professional baseball team — that’s not an expansion team — in this market, win 28 games.’ That’s all there is to it."
White Sox GM opens on Jerry Reinsdorf's plans for offseason
The White Sox registered a 21-game losing streak, tied for the most in AL history. A 28-89 record was bound to have some repercussions, and it came down to Pedro Grifol losing his job in just his second season with the team.
As the dust settles, White Sox GM Chris Getz opens up about the team's plans moving forward, including Jerry Reinsdorf's plan to use their financial resources to go after free agents and improve infrastructure.
"There's going to be times when we're going to have to tap into some financial resources to go after free agents, or pour infrastructure and technology and continue to expand and strengthen our front or departments throughout the organization," Getz told reporter Sam Blum. "That's all part of this plan that's in place."
The White Sox are not known for splurging big in free agency, having not eclipsing the $100 million mark in any of the seasons. Compare them to the LA Dodgers, who splurge billions in the offseason.
Their most costly contract remains outfielder Andrew Benintendi's five-year, $75 million deal signed in January 2023. The Oakland Athletics are the only other team in the MLB whose largest contract is less than $100 million.
However, with new things in motion, White Sox fans will hope for a quick rebuild and getting the franchise back to being a World Series contender soon.