Grady Sizemore is thrilled about the possibilities for his career in baseball. He roused the Yankees 12-2 on Monday night, earning his first victory as the White Sox’s interim manager in style.
“I hope so,” he told reporters prior to Tuesday’s game. Sizemore took over as the team’s interim manager after the organization announced last week that they dismissed Pedro Grifol, effective immediately.
Sizemore was riding high after his first victory after suffering two straight losses to the Cubs during his first couple of games.
“I was just joyful. “I felt thrilled,” Sizemore remarked on Tuesday. “I watched the game again and fell asleep while doing so after speaking with my family and going over everything.
Right now, it doesn’t seem all that real. However, I’m just pleased of those guys—proud of their play and their post-event business conduct.
“This is enjoyable for me. An excellent illustration of that came last night.
These past three or four days have included some of my favorite baseball games in terms of happiness and enjoyment.”
Sizemore completed an internship with the Diamondbacks last year for $15 per hour, arranged by Josh Barfield, the assistant general manager of the White Sox.
Following his relocation to Chicago, Barfield suggested Sizemore for a
While he hopes his time as interim manager could snowball into a permanent position, that might not be possible with the White Sox. After dismissing Grifol, general manager Chris Getz was adamant about the search outside the organization for the team’s next manager.
“We are focused on candidates that are currently with other organizations and in uniform,” Getz told the media last Thursday.
“I think it’s important to bring in a new voice, a fresh voice that’s been too exposed into areas of this game that we don’t currently have in our organization. (I’m) very curious and excited to learn more about some of these individuals, and then we’ll get it to the finish line and name the next manager. I feel like it’s a fairly basic structure, very open-minded but I certainly look forward to getting it started.”
Sizemore’s presence in the organization isn’t the only drawback of his application. He’s also fairly inexperienced since beginning his post-playing career in MLB, too.
He had a great playing career that saw him earn three All-Star nods, two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger award. Sizemore retired in 2015 after a phenomenal 12-year playing career.
In 2023, Sizemore went to Barfield, as aforementioned, in Arizona with the hopes of joining the organization. All of the positions were full, so Sizemore accepted a $15-an-hour internship with general manager Mike Hazen.
When Barfield came to Chicago, he helped get Sizemore a job on Grifol’s coaching staff. Now, he’s in the midst of his first real experience as a manager. But it’s fairly obvious his experience isn’t what the White Sox hope for in their next manager.
Last time around, the White Sox opened the door for consideration to some of their staffers, including bench coach and once interim manager Miguel Cairo. The White Sox went with Grifol, but they gave insiders a shot. But remember, that was during the tenure of then-GM Rick Hahn and Vice President Kenny Williams.
Knowing there’s a chance of discouraging in-house staffers with the idea of becoming the team’s permanent manager, Getz was direct in his need to be candid with his current employees.
“I think naturally there’s the human element of what uncertainty brings people and the anxiety that can be presented because of that,” Getz said. “But I need to be honest. I want to be direct. And I think with the status of our major league club, most people understand the approach. But the best that I can do is be upfront, answer any questions that they may have, and just be available. And that’s the type of leader I try to be.”
Sizemore’s aspirations to take over as the White Sox’s next captain may have to wait if he wants to become a permanent manager someday. But he’s happy enough with it for now.
Sizemore stated, “I didn’t come in here with that goal set in mind,” in reference to taking on the role of manager. “All I truly want to do is try my hardest and have an influence on these boys. One day at a time, that’s all. We’re simply trying to prepare for the Yankees, who we have tonight.”
