Grady Sizemore is here to stay. The former White Sox interim manager “will have a role” on new manager Will Venable’s staff, per Venable’s introductory press conference this afternoon. While Sizemore’s exact title is still unknown, he will remain on the coaching staff in some capacity. “I think it’s going to be about how to best utilize him and how to best complement his skill set”, Venable added regarding Sizemore’s place on his staff.
Sizemore’s White Sox Ascent
Sizemore joined the White Sox coaching staff before the 2024 season and quickly moved up the ranks. He became the interim manager in early August after then-manager Pedro Grifol was fired after a 21-game losing streak. Sizemore did not fare much better than Grifol from a wins and losses standpoint, compiling a record of just 13-32. However, that only tells part of the story. The White Sox roster was completely decimated of talent by that point, yet they still won five of six games to end the season.
Grady’s Leadership Qualities And Accomplishments
Leadership is one of Sizemore’s best qualities. Towards the end of the season, Garrett Crochet spoke very highly of Sizemore: “An easy guy to follow, a leader in the clubhouse, and most of all, he has the credibility of playing at this level at a really high level… There’s a lot of faith and trust that the guys have in him. Would love to see him here going forward.” Having the best player on the team support Sizemore was a significant point in his favor.
Sizemore’s accomplishments as a player also speak volumes. He made three All-Star teams, won two Gold Gloves, and has a Silver Slugger award on his résumé. He was one of the very best players in MLB for a period in the late 2000s before injuries took a toll and derailed his career. Sizemore knows what it takes to be a successful major leaguer and is clearly respected by players and fellow coaches alike.
Coaching Staff Has A Common Theme
Keeping Sizemore aboard continues the White Sox strategy of employing former major leaguers on the coaching staff. Sizemore joins Venable, hitting coach Marcus Thames, assistant pitching coach Matt Wise, first base/outfield coach Jason Bourgeois, bullpen catcher Miguel Gonzalez, and catching coach Drew Butera as members of the coaching staff who had big league playing careers. The organization has emphasized comprising the coaching staff of former players to relate to and develop a young roster.
Sizemore’s Fit In Chicago
Sizemore’s intensity and knowledge of the White Sox’s current situation also work in his favor. He made headlines by pushing back star pitcher Garrett Crochet’s start in late September to face a Detroit Tigers team that was fighting for a playoff spot at the time. Sizemore wanted his ace pitcher to pitch in a meaningful game with playoff implications. Sizemore also prioritized the playing time of young players like Miguel Vargas and Bryan Ramos down the stretch over a veteran like Yoán Moncada, who was inconsequential to the team’s future and dumped from the roster just a few weeks later.
While it remains unclear what his role will ultimately be, keeping Grady Sizemore around is a big win for a White Sox team in transition. Sizemore’s accomplishments, intensity, and leadership qualities on the coaching staff will be important in guiding a young team with nowhere to go but up.
Agreed. I think it is a good decision.
Glad to see that they kept him on