MLB’s managerial reckoning begin with Tony La Russa’s White Sox fate

The White Sox are one of many teams with managerial decisions to make, but their situation is different: They have two calls to make, not just one. There’s Tony La Russa, and there’s interim manager Miguel Cairo.

It has been reported in Chicago that La Russa won’t be back, and it’s logical now to think they will find a graceful exit for the Hall of Famer who’s among owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s best friends. Reports suggesting La Russa won’t have any role with the organization, however, may be overstated or premature.

Friends have said La Russa’s still undergoing medical testing at home in Arizona after his pacemaker was reportedly adjusted, so it’s reasonable to think that even if Reinsdorf wanted to bring back his friend, it may be best for La Russa, who will turn 78 on Tuesday, to do something less stressful. Their belief, though, is Reinsdorf would find a spot for La Russa in the organization.

That doesn’t necessarily resolve the managing conundrum. While Cairo won praise for handling a tough spot with aplomb, the talented White Sox team has collapsed. They’d lost eight straight before beating the Twins on Thursday and have a similar record under Cairo (14-14) as under La Russa.

Following a season in which no team underachieved like them, there will be a reckoning. While Reinsdorf is famously loyal, it’s hard to imagine something won’t give.

Getty Images

Here’s a rundown of managerial questions:

Miami Marlins

Don Mattingly, by mutual agreement, will not return. Here’s hoping the great baseball man gets another chance. Meanwhile, he deserves a medal for trying to win with this hitting-challenged group, the result of the Derek Jeter-Gary Denbo decision to emphasize analytics and power over contact. With revenues also failing to rise during Jeter’s tenure, don’t expect them to go for another huge name.

Texas Rangers

Baseball president Chris Young has connections to Cubs bench coach Will Venable and Athletics bench coach Brad Ausmus. Word is he’s looking for someone tougher than nice guy Chris Woodward, preferably with experience.

Chicago White Sox

They likely need to go outside to hire (see above).

Kansas City Royals

Mike Matheny was hired by Dayton Moore, who’s now gone. With players hoping for a change, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be back.

Los Angeles Angels

A change of ownership is coming, so Phil Nevin may get a reprieve — but possibly only until a new owner arrives.

Philadelphia Phillies

They improved greatly under interim Rob Thomson, but it’s possible he may still need to stem their recent slide and hold on to a playoff spot. He deserves a full shot.

Toronto Blue Jays

The current word is John Schneider “most likely” will stay. They’re headed to the playoffs, but from here they still look like underachievers.

Washington Nationals

Davey Martinez won a World Series just three years ago and got a one-year extension through 2023. Things may change, however, once a new owner enters.

Pittsburgh Pirates

They looked like the Keystone Cops when they played here. Saving grace: standards are low.

Cincinnati Reds

Fire sale and injuries make it tough to judge David Bell.

Houston Astros

Dusty Baker, still going strong, only got a one-year deal off a World Series appearance. He certainly deserves to stay.

Cleveland Guardians

Could Terry Francona retire off another masterful job and likely Manager of the Year nod? The feeling is he will come back, though if he wins a third ring, could that alter plans?

USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Rockies

Bud Black will be back, general manager Bill Schmidt reaffirmed by phone. The Rockies are not firing types.

Minnesota Twins

Rocco Baldelli is “fully safe,” is the word. Injuries likely explain the fade.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Torey Lovullo is “safe.”

New York Yankees

While an early playoff exit may trigger outside discussion, Aaron Boone’s three-year deal at $2.75 million per showed how Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman feel about him. He seems safe.


Football news:

<!DOCTYPE html>
Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

3:19 Diamondbacks World Series bettor four wins away from $1 million payout
3:09 Giants legend Carl Banks slams WFAN hosts for Kayvon Thibodeaux rip job
3:01 Struggling Oilers will be missing injured star Connor McDavid vs. Rangers
2:52 Elias Manoel notches hat trick as Red Bulls advance in playoffs
2:48 Disgraceful Karine Jean-Pierre’s words are just callous amid Hamas violence
2:46 SEAN HANNITY: The People's House is now officially back in business
2:42 At least 16 killed in shootings in Maine, law enforcement officials say
2:40 Georgia murder fugitive kills self when police on hunt for other escaped inmates show up at door
2:31 US Auto Workers Union Reaches Preliminary Deal With Ford
2:29 Jayson Tatum shades new Celtics teammate Jrue Holiday: ‘You old’
2:24 Magazine scrubs sections of Jake Sullivan’s essay praising Biden’s performance in the Middle East
2:21 Nets’ opening-night comeback falls short in last-second heartbreaker vs. Cavaliers
2:18 JESSE WATTERS: We have a compromised president in the White House
2:10 Kristaps Porzingis’ late heroics sink Knicks in crushing opening-night loss
2:09 FBI hindered Hunter probe — and David Weiss skipped briefing on Biden bribery allegations, US attorney testifies
1:54 At least 16 killed in shooting in Maine, law enforcement officials says
1:54 At least 16 killed in shooting in Maine, law enforcement officials say
1:51 Sterling Shepard in punt return mix vs. Jets despite Commanders muff
1:47 Craig Counsell’s true Mets intentions are about to become clear
1:45 Tim Wakefield's wife, Stacy, shares powerful message late husband left for her
1:41 Kyle Richards ‘taken aback’ by Mauricio Umansky, ‘DWTS’ partner Emma Slater holding hands: Something is ‘going on there’
1:37 Ford and UAW reach tentative agreement that would end 6-week strike
1:36 LAURA INGRAHAM: This is a propaganda victory for Hamas
1:35 Actor Zachery Ty Bryan pleads guilty to felony assault stemming from domestic violence arrest
1:26 NYC college's Jewish students seen locked inside library as anti-Israel protest moves through building
1:24 Blackpink’s Jisoo and actor Ahn Bo-hyun split after brief romance: report
1:20 Police respond to active shooter in Lewiston, Maine; medical center treating 'mass casualty event'
1:20 At least 22 dead, up to 60 wounded in mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine
1:20 Stream It Or Skip It: ‘30 Coins’ Season 2 on Max, The Return Of This Ambitious Religious Horror Series From Spain (Now With More Paul Giamatti!)
1:19 Panthers' Frank Reich voices support for QB Bryce Young amid winless start: 'We got the guy we wanted'
1:17 NYC driver, 40, charged with attempted murder for shooting at off-duty detective
1:15 Alligator gar caught in Texas weighing 283 pounds shatters multiple records: 'Four in one fell swoop'
1:06 Sen. Tim Scott calls for the deportation of foreign students supporting Hamas 
1:06 More than 10 dead, dozens injured in Lewiston, Maine mass shooting, sources say
1:04 Jets’ defensive line looking to up sack numbers in battle vs. Giants
1:03 John Stamos reveals what Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen said at Bob Saget’s funeral: ‘It was so beautiful’
1:01 See ‘The Crown’ recreate Princess Diana’s historic landmine walk
1:00 Joe Rogan expresses nostalgia for Trump era, says country was 'without a doubt' better than under Biden
1:00 Erika Jayne Reveals ‘RHOBH’s Biggest Pot-Stirrer Now That Lisa Rinna Is Gone: “I Think We All Have Moments”
0:56 US, Australia Reaffirm Shared Values, Cooperation Against Chinese Ambitions 
0:56 Hunter Biden missing from state dinner guest list after backlash for attending others amid legal issues
0:55 Rams coach Sean McVay invokes 'higher power' when talking newborn son: 'There's something special going on'
0:47 Alexis Lafreniere finally could be primed for Rangers’ breakout
0:46 Giant pandas to leave the National Zoo in D.C. for China earlier than expected
0:43 Fans slam Mauricio Umansky for telling Kyle Richards he won’t ‘allow’ any more tattoos
0:42 ‘Southern Charm’ alum Kathryn Dennis’ SUV involved in alleged hit-and-run at elementary school
0:35 No sex please, we’re Gen Z — young viewers want deeper, more unique relationships in film, on TV: study
0:34 Cooper Union barricades Jewish students inside library as pro-Palestine protesters bang on doors
0:34 Active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine: Police
0:34 UAW reaches tentative labor agreement with Ford
0:33 Giants’ Andrew Thomas practices lightly but unlikely to face Jets
0:31 Active shooter situation in Maine, city residents told to 'stay inside with doors locked'
0:28 Falcons head coach dismisses concerns after Bijan Robinson's surprisingly low usage: 'There's nothing'
0:24 AI predicts a third of breast cancer cases prior to diagnosis in breakthrough mammography study
0:24 UAW reaches tentative deal with Ford: Sources
0:19 Sean McVay’s wife Veronika Khomyn gives birth to baby boy
0:18 Ex-‘incel’ threatened to shoot up ‘chads and stacies’ at University of Arizona: feds
0:17 Florida duo allegedly stabbed man repeatedly, threw him over bridge, stole car and set it on fire: authorities
0:12 Who is Rep. Mike Johnson, the new House speaker?
0:11 Yankees have had 'preliminary' conversations to trade for Juan Soto: report
0:09 California man breaks into Jewish family's home, threatens to kill them, yells 'Free Palestine'
0:08 ‘Breakfast Club’ host DJ Envy has no apologies for promoting a con man newly arrested for fraud
0:08 Biden team sees 2024 opportunity with GOP's new speaker, and more campaign takeaways
0:07 UAW closing in on tentative labor agreement with Ford
0:05 Biden must stop using defense partnerships as an excuse to cut Pentagon spending
0:02 Shakira fans blame karma after singer’s ex Gerard Piqué falls into stage hole: ‘Don’t disrespect the stage queen’
0:00 Obama’s warning to Israel: Letters to the Editor — Oct. 26, 2023
0:00 Clarence Thomas loan for luxury RV was forgiven, Senate Democrats say
0:00 ACLU sues Tennessee for 'criminalizing HIV' with strict prostitution laws
23:59 Who is Rep. Mike Johnson, the House GOP's latest speaker nominee?
23:56 White House state dinner celebrates Australia ties, nods to Israel-Hamas war
23:56 Drone video shows Mexican drug cartels throwing explosives along Texas southern border
23:54 Bear attacks security guard in Aspen hotel, remains on the loose, Colorado wildlife officials say
23:51 Beyoncé shares rare video talking to fans as she unboxes her new perfume: ‘It’s finally here’
23:48 'The Young and Restless' star Christian LeBlanc reveals cancer diagnosis after 'fans caught' sign of disease
23:44 Diana Nyad goes the distance in new film on Cuba-Florida swim feat
23:41 Jewish American students outraged by rising antisemitism in US amid Hamas terror attacks on Israel
23:39 Mike Johnson Won The Worst Job In Washington: Speaker of a Broken House
23:38 Lindsay Clancy, Massachusetts mother who strangled her 3 children, researched 'ways to kill,' court docs say
23:38 Jets’ matchup with Giants a reminder of how quickly things change
23:32 Nikki Haley rips Biden over antisemitism on college campuses — and vows to fix it
23:30 Mel Tucker sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, Michigan State investigation reveals
23:29 Brian Austin Green slams ‘DWTS’ for excluding fiancée Sharna Burgess from Len Goodman tribute
23:24 LeBron James' minutes restriction likley the new norm as superstar enters new chapter
23:21 FDA looking into claim woman died after drinking Panera Bread lemonade
23:20 North Dakota Legislature rewrites budget bill, ending special session in 3 days
23:19 'Squad' Democrats vote against condemning 'barbaric' Hamas attack on Israel
23:18 Wisconsin officials pass new wolf management plan, but population goal absent
23:17 UN chief’s justification for Hamas attacks shows the organization is worse than useless
23:16 Former Congressman Mark Walker drops out of North Carolina gubernatorial race to launch Congressional bid
23:15 Over 70 left ill following multi-state salmonella outbreak tied to onions
23:14 Husband of Cardi B’s manicurist charged with setting wife’s new NYC salon on fire
23:10 Elon Musk rolls out audio, video on X as he seeks to make it an ‘everything app’
23:09 UnScientific American, Trump is yesterday’s man and other commentary
23:09 Customer freed after spending night trapped inside NYC bank vault
23:07 ‘F–k Israel’ graffiti scrawled across Cornell University campus sidewalks
23:03 Dennis Quaid to host Fox Nation series 'Top Combat Pilot' debuting in November
23:00 Don La Greca goes off on ‘weakling’ Chris Russo’s retirement ‘gimmick
23:00 New report shows a majority of students attend schools with high or extreme levels of chronic absence
23:00 Biden administration pushes for a humanitarian 'pause' in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza