The Chicago White Sox continued to narrow their search for a new manager this weekend, and it’s looking like a decision might come this week. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported on Sunday that two more candidates are now out of the mix. Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough and San Diego Padres special assistant (and former Dodgers player) A.J. Ellis are no longer under consideration by Chicago. Later on Sunday, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard was also out of the running.
In non World Series news, the White Sox are getting closer to hiring a manager. Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough and Padres special asst A.J. Ellis are both out of the running, per sources.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 27, 2024
White Sox Manager Search Continues to Narrow
The White Sox are looking for a full-time manager after Pedro Grifol was fired in August amid a historically bad season. Chicago finished with a record of 41-121, the most losses in a single season in MLB’s modern era. Grady Sizemore took over for Grifol on an interim basis, and according to Heyman, he remains a candidate for the full-time job. However, the search extends beyond Sizemore. Other candidates for the job include former Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin and Texas Rangers associate manager Will Venable.
George Lombard is out of White Sox mix. Nevin, Venable, Sizemore among known candidates.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 27, 2024
Sizemore led the White Sox to a 13-32 finish after stepping into the thankless role of managing the 2024 club. He has no prior managerial experience, but as a 42-year-old who had a successful 10-year major league career, White Sox brass may think he’ll be the right young face to lead the team forward. To that end, Venable could also fit the bill, as he will turn 42 on Tuesday. His only managerial experience in the majors was a six-game stretch helming the Boston Red Sox in 2022 while Alex Cora was out with COVID-19. However, he’s had multiple coaching gigs since retiring as a player in 2016. This includes winning a World Series championship with Texas in 2023 alongside manager Bruce Bochy.
Nevin, 53, is a bit older than those two, but carries both playing and managing experience at the major league level. He helmed the Angels for most of 2022 (after taking over midseason) and all of 2023.
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