White Sox, Renteria agree to split after breakout season
The Chicago White Sox and manager Rick Renteria have 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.
T h e White Sox a nnounced Monday that Renteria won’t return after he led them to a 3525 record in his pandemicshortened 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 three-game lead in the AL Central before losing seven of their final eight to finish tied for second with Cleveland at 35-25, one behind Minnesota. Chicago then got knocked out by Oakland in three games in their wildcard series.
Renteria drew criticism for some questionable decisions down the stretch. And now, he and the White Sox are moving on.
General manager Rick 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 how we wanted 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 quite 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 236309 record and helped establish a winning culture that fostered the development of the team’s young players. PADRES SAY PHAM IN ‘GOOD CONDITION’ AFTER STABBING, SURGERY >> Padres outfielder Tommy Pham was injured in an altercation Sunday night in San Diego and underwent surgery for a stab wound in his lower back, the team and player said Monday.
According to two people who spoke with Pham, the incident happened when Pham was leaving an establishment and came upon an argument occurring near his car. According to one of the people, Pham was attacked after asking the people involved in the argument, who he did not know, to get away from his car.
“I’d like to thank the incredible medical staff at UC San Diego Health for taking such great care of me,” Pham said in a statement released by the team. “I truly appreciate the hard work of the (San Diego Police Department) as well as they continue their search for the suspects. While it was a very traumatic and eye- opening experience for me, I’m on the road to recovery.”
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Urquidy was a late replacement for Zack Greinke in Game 3 of the ALDS when the veteran was not able to pitch because of arm soreness. Greinke returned one day later in Game 4.
Tampa Bay has not named its starter for Game 3, with right-hander Tyler Glasnow expected to pitch in Game 4.
DODGERS ADD WOOD AS EXTRA PITCHER FOR NLCS >> The Los Angeles Dodgers have added left-hander Alex Wood as an extra pitcher for the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves, while also bringing back infielder Edwin Rios (groin injury).