SAN DIEGO — Beneath all of it, there’s a sense across the White Sox clubhouse {that a} new voice might be factor.
There’s additionally sufficient respect for the resume of baseball’s second-winningest supervisor that gamers gained’t level at Tony La Russa, who will formally have the curtain drawn on his profession Monday, because the prime motive for the failure of 2022.
“It’s a giant blow to us,” Sox nearer Liam Hendriks instructed the Solar-Instances Sunday of La Russa not coming again for the ultimate yr of his contract in 2023. “Tony was a giant motive I got here right here [as a free agent].”
However the Sox (79-80), who defeated the Padres 2-1 to take their ultimate collection on the highway behind seven innings of one-run ball from Lance Lynn, a house run by Elvis Andrus and an RBI single by Adam Engel, fell effectively beneath expectations throughout La Russa’s turbulent season. And whereas followers are overwhelmingly blissful a brand new supervisor will run the present in 2023, the widespread response within the clubhouse to information that La Russa’s retirement might be introduced Monday for well being causes was private concern for a person who will flip 78 the next day.
“He must handle his well being, that’s at first,” Andrew Vaughn stated.
When bench coach Miguel Cairo took over for La Russa Aug. 29, the group responded to Cairo’s “deliver it or get out” message with a 13-6 file. It stated a lot in regards to the character of a discipline boss rubbing off on gamers. It recommended a brand new chief is required to exchange La Russa’s severe, stone-faced demeanor.
“There’s all the time that risk,” Hendriks stated, “however the onus doesn’t lie with the supervisor, the entrance workplace or anyone besides these individuals on this clubhouse.”
“It’s gotta be from the gamers,” stated Joe Kelly, who signed a two-year, $17 million contract within the offseason and pitched to a woeful 6.08 ERA in 43 aid appearances.
Gamers who had been injured typically and under-performed as a complete once they weren’t.
“The disappointing yr we had, the gamers didn’t play to our potential,” Vaughn stated.
“Now we have to go residence hungrier and take into consideration that.”
Hendriks, who closed out Sunday’s win with a scoreless ninth for his thirty sixth save towards a group that clinched a playoff berth regardless of a loss, stated go residence, take what was realized, replicate to a person individually on what wasn’t performed effectively and tackle these issues within the offseason.
“We want to verify we understand the place our deficiencies had been as a company, as a participant group, no matter,” Hendriks stated. “These are issues that don’t repair themselves.”
Lynn, who pitched for the Cardinals’ World Collection champion in 2011, which preceded La Russa’s first retirement, stated the supervisor continues to be the identical.
“You by no means desire a new supervisor, meaning most probably you didn’t do your job as a participant,” Lynn stated. “Well being, and we didn’t play to our caliber as gamers. So we have to do so much individually to make sure the following man doesn’t are available in and lay an egg once more. That’s the reality of the matter.
“You by no means know what a brand new voice will herald however all in all we have now to do a greater of job of enjoying high quality baseball all through the entire season.”
Lynn stated he is aware of it’s consuming at La Russa figuring out he didn’t accomplish what he got down to.
“He’s had a hell of a profession. He’s a Corridor of Fame supervisor. He’s had a fantastic run. However in relation to an finish the place you don’t actually get to decide on it due to well being, it’s by no means the best way anyone desires to finish something.”
ON DECK
TWINS AT SOX
Monday: Bailey Ober (2-3, 3.18 ERA) vs. Johnny Cueto (7-10, 3.39), 7:10 p.m., NBCSCH, 1000-AM
Tuesday: Josh Winder (4-5, 4.31) vs. Lucas Giolito (10-9, 5.00), 7:10 p.m., NBCSCH, 1000-AM
Wednesday: Louie Varland (0-2, 4.71) vs. Davis Martin (3-5, 3.65), 3:10 p.m., NBCSCH, 1000-AM
