White Sox, Renteria part ways
Manager out despite club making playoffs
The White Sox and manager Rick Renteria agreed to split following a disappointing finish to a breakout season in which the team made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.
The White Sox announced Monday that Renteria won’t return after he led them to a 35-25 record in his pandemic-shortened fourth year. They ended a string of seven consecutive losing seasons with their first playoff appearance since 2008.
The team and longtime pitching coach Don Cooper also agreed to part.
The White Sox held a threegame lead in the AL Central before losing seven of their final eight to finish tied for second with the Indians at 35-25, one behind the Twins. The White Sox then got knocked out by the AL West champion A’s in three games in their wild-card series.
Renteria drew criticism for some questionable decisions down the stretch. And now, he and the White Sox are moving on.
GMRick Hahn described Renteria as a “fantastic baseball man” and “better person” whose “fingerprints” will be all over the White Sox if they win a championship.
“This is not howwewanted this to end,” Hahn said. “We wanted it to end with Ricky leading us to championships. That was the intent from the start. Over time, through very candid and, frankly, personal conversations about where this organization is, what our time horizon is, what we need to do to win in October and get to that final, ultimate goal, it became evident that it was time to make a change.”
Hahn said Renteria’s replacement likely will come from outside the White Sox. He would like someone who has worked for a championship organization, though major league managing experience is not necessarily a requirement.
Renteria became the franchise’s 40th manager when they promoted him from bench coach to replace Robin Ventura in October 2016. He led the White Sox to a 236-309 record and helped establish a winning culture that fostered the development of the team’s young players.
Renteria also managed the crosstown Cubs in 2014 and drew praise for his work with their young players. The North Siders planned to bring him back, only to let him go once Joe Maddon split with the Rays.
Maddon led the Cubs to the playoffs in four of his five seasons and managed the 2016 team to the franchise’s first World Series championship since 1908.
Renteria never had a contender until this year..
Padres’ Pham stabbed: Padres outfielder Tommy Pham is recovering after he was stabbed in the back Sunday night, authorities said.
Pham was stabbed shortly after 10:30 p.m. outside the Pacers Showgirls International gentlemen’s club, police Lt. Shawn Takeuchi told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Pham apparently didn’t know the attackers, who remain at large, he said.
“While it was a very traumatic and eye-opening experience for me, I’m on the road to recovery and I know I’ll be back to my offseason training routine in no time,” Pham said in a statement released by the team.
Two people who said they spoke with Pham told the UnionTribune that Pham was leaving and saw an argument taking place near his car. One person told the paper that Pham was attacked after asking the arguing people to get away from his car.
Pham was stabbed in the lower back and the wound pierced all three layers of skin but didn’t damage any organs, according to a statement from the Padres. The team said he was in good condition and is expected to fully recover.
Pham, 32, was traded to the Padres last year after six seasons with the Rays and Cardinals.
He hit .211 this year with three home runs, 12 RBIs and six stolen bases in 31 games, then batted .375 (9-for-24) in six postseason games before the Padres were eliminated by the Dodgers on Thursday.