White Sox Fire 3 Coaches Alongside Pedro Grifol, Name Interim Manager

The Chicago White Sox made an expected move Thursday by firing manager Pedro Grifol , but the coaching exodus goes deeper than that. The Sox also dismissed bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third base coach Eddie Rodriguez, and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar alongside Grifol.

A new crop of names will replace the departed for the rest of the 2024 season as Grady Sizemore takes over as interim manager , Doug Sission joins as bench coach, Justin Jirschele assumes third base coach duties, and Mike Gellinger takes over as assistant hitting coach.

Grady Sizemore: White Sox Interim Manager

White Sox fans may be familiar with Grady Sizemore from his playing days with the then-Cleveland Indians. The three-time All-Star center fielder joined the White Sox as a Major League coach this past offseason and has worked with the team's outfielders.

"Obviously there was something that was broken," White Sox general manager Chris Getz said of Thursday's coaching changes. "There were flaws in the roster, but we expected to be better."

"We felt Grady would be the right fit for building this environment that's more effective for our players," Getz said of installing Sizemore.

Sizemore will take the reins for a floundering 28-89 White Sox team that's on pace for historic futility. He won't be expected to deliver a miraculous turnaround, but the hope is that he'll be able to better connect with players and infuse a " new energy around the team " over the season's remaining 45 games.

“I enjoy this side of it. It’s exciting," Sizemore told MLB.com's Scott Merkin upon joining the White Sox staff in January. "With the limited time I’ve had working with young guys, it’s a good feeling to be able to help guys and give guys teaching or advice or a hint here or there."

Coaching Carousel

Perhaps the most notable addition to the White Sox coaching staff is Justin Jirschele, who previously managed Chicago's Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights. Jirschele amassed a 50-57 record with Charlotte this season while overseeing the development of several prospects who received promotions to the big-league club. Charlotte bench coach Pat Listach will oversee the Triple-A club with Jirschele joining the MLB ranks.

Doug Sisson slides into the bench coach role after serving as the White Sox' field coordinator. Notably, he previously served as the Kansas City Royals' first base coach from 2011 to 2012. Catching coach Drew Butera will serve as a co-bench coach alongside Sisson.

New assistant hitting coach Mike Gellinger previously served in the same role for the Arizona Complex League White Sox. Gellinger has managed in the lower levels of Chicago's system , most recently heading up the Arizona Complex League club in 2021.

What's On Tap Next?

Chris Getz said the White Sox will likely hire their next manager from outside the organization. In the meantime, interim skipper Grady Sizemore will manage his first game when the South Siders host the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

Related: White Sox Finally Fire Manager Pedro Grifol

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