White Sox Open to Naming Sizemore New Manager, But Dodgers Coach Emerges As Lead Candidate

When Grady Sizemore initially took over as the White Sox interim manager it looked like a temporary role. White Sox general manager Chris Getz had publicly stated that he was looking for current in-uniform coaches from outside the organization to manage the team next season. But with less than a week remaining in the season Getz’s tune has changed. 

Getz met the media before the White Sox final homestand of the season and said that Sizemore had earned consideration for the permanent job. While the White Sox record is not much better than it was under his predecessor Pedro Grifol, the team has responded well since Sizemore was given the reins. 

Grifol tried to lead with an intense approach to the game, while Sizemore has taken a more relaxed and caring approach. The 42-year-old has been through it all as a player. The highs of being a three-time All-Star before the age of 25, the lows of long injury stints, and the grind of trying to stay in the show once his play began to decline. Because of this, he can relate to many of the players in the White Sox locker room at varying stages of their careers. 

As ESPN’s Jeff Passan described it after spending a day with the team: “When he walks through the clubhouse after games and pats players on the back, they appreciate his demeanor. He is positive without sounding fake, simultaneously thoughtful and supportive.” 

The team has continued to fight under his watch despite being outgunned every game. Players have also voiced their support for Sizemore by wearing tee-shirts with him on the front before batting practice. 

Leading Candidate Reportedly From The Dodgers Organization Emerges

While Sizemore has done an admirable job, Getz says that he will not have a leg up on the competition. He added that he still plans to conduct a thorough search involving outside candidates. One of those candidates is reportedly in the Dodgers organization. 

According to a report from 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine, Dodger first-base coach Clayton McCullough has emerged as the leading candidate for the job.  McCullough has a good baseball background. His father was a scout for over 30 years with three different organizations. McCullough was a former minor league catcher in the Blue Jays organization from 2006 to 2014. He reached Triple-A but was unable to get a chance in the show after seven seasons in the minor leagues. He got his first coaching job with the Dodgers as a minor league coordinator after he retired from playing in 2015. 

Levine says that the White Sox are hoping to have a new manager hired by the first week of November