Regardless of what you think about Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams the ultimate reason they got fired is because of the lack of achievement from players like Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, Micheal Kopech, Dylan Cease, and the rest of the supposed “core” of former prospects who haven’t panned out.
That is why it was so disheartening to hear Eloy Jimenez’s lackluster response to the media when addressing the front office shakeup.
“They were really good to me. They helped me to this point and that’s why it really surprised me but I say it’s business. It’s crazy sometimes,” a deflated-looking Jimenez said.
The majority of his interview was peppered with monotone vanilla answers with body language signaling that he did not care. The kicker came at the end of the media session when he was asked if the team had discussed stepping up and being leaders moving forward.
“Um, not really,” Jimenez replied.
If there was a wrong answer to the question, Jimenez found it. The White Sox postgame crew proceeded to unload on the 26-year-old.
“The reason they fired Rick and Kenny is because of them”, Ozzie Guillen said.
An enraged Chuck Garfien responded, “If I got paid that money I would make sure I’m on the field. I’m making sure I’m playing winning baseball. I’m giving the best of myself and if there is a leadership problem I am trying to fix it. I’m not giving that answer.”
Jimenez has missed time in each of his four seasons on the White Sox. This year he is hitting .277 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs but has been relegated to designated hitter duties because of his failure to stay healthy and improve as an outfielder.
Locker room culture and leadership have been a hot-button issue for the last several weeks on the South Side. The more layers that get peeled back the more it stinks.
Keynan Middleton revealed that players were skipping practices and falling asleep during games. Lance Lynn confirmed there was a lack of leadership and accountability. ESPN’s Jesse Rodger reported that Moncada, Jimenez, and Yasmani Grandal were the main culprits in creating a lazy locker room culture.
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol called out the team for quitting after falling behind early in games on Saturday. By Monday the team had reverted back to their old ways suffering a 14-2 beatdown at the hands of the Mariners.
“There is a lack of leadership. There has been no standard set whatsoever. This team has not been held accountable this entire year. They don’t play hard. They don’t run hard,” Scott Podsednik said on the White Sox Postgame Show
Jimenez’s comments are just the cherry on top. For years Rick Hahn relied on the core of Jimenez, Robert and Moncada. He banked on the fact that they would overachieve and help mask the many flaws that existed on the roster. He clearly put his eggs in the wrong basket.
They failed him miserably and now do not look interested in correcting any of their previous mistakes.
Firing Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams was a step in the right direction. It’s time that the players are held accountable as well.
I remember a few years ago in an off season interview Moncada was talking about his singing and he said in essence that he played baseball, but he (meaning his identity) was not a baseball player. I think he was telling the truth. Nellie Fox rolled over in his grave.