The Chicago White Sox are off to a slow start but that does not mean manager Tony La Russa is getting his pink slip anytime soon.
The Philadelphia Phillies fired Joe Girardi after they got off to a disappointing start.
Former Chicago Cubs World Series-winning manager Joe Maddon was just fired by the Los Angeles Angels after a 12-game losing streak.
There is a belief that La Russa could be one of the next managers joining Girardi and Maddon on the unemployment line.
Do not believe it. The man has job security.
Please do not shoot the messenger. There are a couple of factors at play here that are keeping La Russa in charge.
The first factor in play here is the last time the Chicago White Sox fired a manager midseason was back in the mid-1990s. The Sox fired Gene Lamont after the Southsiders started the 1995 season 11-20.
Even Terry Bevington, Jerry Manuel, and Robin Ventura all were allowed to finish out their final seasons. The fans screaming for their firings were just as loud.
General manager Rick Hahn did clarify the Sox do not have an informal or formal policy of not firing managers in-season. If you think Hahn is going to pull off removing Tony La Russa, then you do not know his boss.
After losing 12 straight, Angels fired Joe Maddon. Days ago, Phils fired another World Series-winning manager, Joe Girardi. If you’re wondering if that means anything for #WhiteSox & Tony LaRussa, don’t. The Jerry Reinsdorf Factor makes it moot. I hope Maddon, 68, manages again.
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) June 7, 2022
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf hired La Russa back in 2020 over Hahn’s preferred choice, A.J. Hinch. The main reason for the hiring was so Reinsdorf could finally right a wrong he did towards La Russa back in 1986.
The Chicago White Sox have hired Hall of Famer Tony La Russa as their new manager. La Russa, 76, managed the White Sox from 1979-86, and his firing was owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s great regret. La Russa last managed in 2011, when he led St. Louis to a championship.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 29, 2020
Reinsdorf hired La Russa even after La Russa told the owner he had been charged with his second DUI offense. It seems Jerry really wants to live out his days with no regrets.
He regretted firing La Russa once when he managed the Sox back in the 1980s. You can bet it would gnaw at Reinsdorf for the rest of his days if he did it again.
Also, the impact of Reinsdorf considering firing La Russa back in 1986 being his biggest regret can never be underestimated.
Think about it for a moment.
Reinsdorf also owns the Chicago Bulls. During his ownership tenure, he allowed the greatest coach to leave in Phil Jackson along with the game’s greatest player in Michael Jordan.
Most people would be kicking themselves for eternity for those two decisions but not Jerry Reinsdorf.
He beat himself up for firing a manager that went from the American League Championship Series in 1983 to sixth place by the time he was done with the White Sox.
Yes, Tony went on to win World Series titles with the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals. With how the Sox roster decayed over the 1980s, La Russa was not going to lead Chicago to the promised land.
Most people would use that hindsight to not regret the decision to fire La Russa. Not Jerry Reinsdorf. Now we must deal with Tony’s questionable lineup decisions.
Anyway, the other reason La Russa is not being relieved of his duties anytime soon is his players like playing for him.
Chicago White Sox All-Star Tim Anderson has developed a bond with his manager.
I asked TA about being managed by Tony LaRussa. Check out what he said: pic.twitter.com/piHiuteja8
— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) June 6, 2022
The Chicago White Sox best young hitter Andrew Vaughn thinks it is special getting to hear La Russa talk baseball.
He has won over clubhouse leaders Lucas Giolito and Jose Abreu.
Thinking that firing a popular manager within a clubhouse is going to get this team out of its early-season funk might not work out the way you think.
There will be a day when Tony La Russa is no longer the Chicago White Sox manager. When that day comes, it will not be because he was fired.
Tony La Russa will never be fired by the Chicago #WhiteSox again. That’s a headline that will only exist in our imaginations. He’ll leave when he chooses to leave essentially.
— James Fox (@JamesFox917) June 7, 2022
He will leave on his own terms. The best to hope for is he leaves with a World Series ring with the White Sox.
