The Chicago White Sox have been one of the biggest underachievers in the league this season.
Widely expected by almost everyone to win the AL Central division, they slumped to a 79-80 record and are a full 11 games behind the division winners, the Cleveland Guardians.
A big part of their issues have to do with their manager.
It’s true that injuries bit the White Sox hard, and that player development hasn’t been as steady in the last couple of years.
However, their skipper is also to blame.
With his latest decision, Tony La Russa will finally get some rest and the White Sox can look for a modern-thinking manager who embraces baseball the way it is played today, not 15 years ago.
“Tony La Russa will announce his retirement as White Sox manager on Monday, per @BNightengale,” Fox Sports MLB tweeted.
Tony La Russa will announce his retirement as White Sox manager on Monday, per @BNightengale pic.twitter.com/BuT3m2tlDF
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 2, 2022
An Incredible Career That Needs To End Now
Despite his recent performance with the White Sox, La Russa has had an incredible career.
No one will take that away from him: he won three World Series championships and four Manager of the Year awards.
When we factor in all his achievements, he is one of the most accomplished skippers in recent history.
But the game flew by him, and he refuses to adjust.
A fervent defender of baseball’s unwritten rules, he often represents a detriment to his own team while fighting for them, like it happened last year with Yermin Mercedes.
He forgets the game rules, and he has lost his touch at the moment of making pitching changes.
It’s time for La Russa to enjoy retirement and stop damaging his reputation among fans and analysts.
NEXT: The White Sox Have 1 Major Regret This Season
