Getz says Sizemore a candidate for full-time White Sox manager
The White Sox plan to dive into their managerial search as soon as the season ends, and general manager Chris Getz confirmed interim boss Grady Sizemore is a candidate for the full-time gig.
Originally, Getz said the Sox would seek someone from outside the organization, but it's not really a surprise Sizemore is at least under consideration. Heading into Tuesday's game, the White Sox were 8-31 under Sizemore, after starting 28-89 with Pedro Grifol.
“Grady has done a very good job from our evaluation,” Getz said. “I can't say he has a leg up on anyone because it is going to be a deep process and we're going to find someone who's the best fit for us. But he deserves to be in the conversation.
“He has a lot of traits we're looking for. But we certainly want to go through a full process because we make any sort of decision.”
Realistically speaking, the White Sox may not get their pick of top candidates, given the number of losses and steep rebuild ahead. Sizemore, a former all-star outfielder, is in his first year with the White Sox and reportedly under contract for next season. So he may stay with the team even if he's not hired as manager.
“I like everything about this organization and I like the opportunity they've given me,” Sizemore said. “I want to continue what I started and be a part of this in any way I can and try to help turn this organization around as fast as we can.”
Sizemore got an endorsement from Sox first baseman Gavin Sheets.
“Grady's been great, keeps a positive attitude and positive atmosphere in here,” Sheets said. “Really good to play for and obviously, he played this game. He understands how difficult this is on everybody right now.”
Getz said he expects to name a new manager by late October or early November, and talked about being respectful of candidates working for other teams in the playoffs.
“We're looking for someone that understands the position we're presently in, that is up for the challenge,” Getz said. “I'm looking for a partner in this, to help lead this organization. That comes in different forms. We've built out our criteria, we've got a deep candidate pool and we'll work through that.”
Sheets recalls winning
Players like Gavin Sheets, Andrew Vaughn and Garrett Crochet are in the strange position of being called up to the White Sox during the playoff seasons of 2020 and '21. They thought winning times were ahead, but instead landed on record losses.
“Vaughny, Crochet and I, we all talk about how great this place is,” Sheets said. “We all fondly remember what '21 was like. Especially this time of year, this is when we were getting ready for the playoffs.
“The excitement that was here, that's what we harp on every day: How can we get back to that? What can we do as players to get back to that expectation of winning and expectation of being in the playoffs every single year?”
Schultz lifts Barons
The White Sox's Double A team in Birmingham won Game 1 of the Southern League championship series on Sunday, beating Montgomery 7-2.
Noah Schultz, the team's first-round draft pick in 2022 from Oswego East High School, started the game and actually allowed 2 runs, something he hadn't done in nine previous starts. The 6-foot-9 left-hander posted a 1.48 ERA in 16 outings in Double A. He piled up 73 strikeouts with just 17 walks in 61 innings.
The White Sox used him carefully. Schultz pitched once per week and never went more than 4 innings this year. GM Chris Getz mentioned him as a reason to feel optimistic about the team's future.