White Sox Part Ways with Manager After Long Losing Streak

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox announced the firing of manager Pedro Grifol on Thursday, just two days after the team ended a historic 21-game losing streak that tied the American League record. With a dismal record of 28-89, the White Sox are on track to finish the season with a staggering 39-122, which would mark the worst performance in Major League Baseball since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders. General manager Chris Getz expressed disappointment in the team's performance, stating, “These two seasons have been very challenging. Unfortunately, the results were not there, and a change is necessary as we look to our future and the development of a new energy around the team.” Grifol, who was in his second season as a major league manager, leaves with an overall record of 89-190, making him the first manager to be dismissed this season. Despite the team's struggles, Grifol maintained a positive outlook during spring training, following a 61-101 finish in his inaugural season. However, the White Sox's performance has continued to decline, with the team starting August with the second-worst ERA and the lowest batting average in the league. At the trade deadline, the team opted to retain key players while making several trades to reshape the roster. Grifol's record stands as the worst for a single team among managers with at least 100 games, surpassing the infamous tenure of Casey Stengel with the New York Mets in the 1960s.