Chicago White Sox: Too many red flags surround AJ HinchPatrick Sheldonon October 13, 2020 at 2:00 pm

However, just as the Chicago Cubs did when they fired Renteria and hired Joe Maddon, the White Sox decided to part ways with their skipper just as they are entering their championship window. Naturally, it would make sense to target a manager with a championship pedigree. In fact, general manager Rick Hahn said as much in his end of year press conference.

While Hinch would fit that description, the circumstances surrounding his World Series victory cannot be overlooked. Of course, I’m referring to the cheating scandal for which Hinch was suspended for the 2020 season. His Houston Astros were found by MLB of illegally stealing signs. The team had an intricate system in which they obtained the signs through a video feed and transmitted them to the hitter through a variety of audible signals.

I won’t continue to beat that drum (or trash can) but suffice it to say the Astros cheated in 2017 and AJ Hinch was their manager.

Those fans supporting his campaign to be the next White Sox manager will point to the report where Hinch claimed that he was “unaware of any wrongdoing.” In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci, Hinch’s comments bordered on incredible, but at a minimum were unbelievable.

When asked about his biggest regret, Hinch stated, “I should have had a more forceful interaction at the appropriate time, which would have been right when I found out.”

So let’s look at the situation this way. At best, he was the man in charge of an organization that implemented one of the most sophisticated cheating scandals in modern sports and had no idea it was going on — which is a giant red flag. At worst, he had complete knowledge of the situation, was complicit, and then lied about it. Another giant red flag. Considering there are other candidates with championship experience without all the baggage, the White Sox would be wise to pass on A.J. Hinch.