GLENDALE, Ariz. – Sure, Grady Sizemore wanted to pick up where he left off.
But it wasn’t to be, and Sizemore — realistic and self-aware man that he is – understood.
“I really didn’t expect to come out on top through that gauntlet of candidates they were going through,” Sizemore said. “I would have been shocked if I got it.”
Will Venable, something of a hot commodity as a managerial candidate, was general manager Chris Getz’ choice to be the White Sox manager in 2025 and beyond. Sizemore, a three-time All-Star center fielder with the Guardians and a first-time coach with the Sox last season, was the right guy at the right time to take over when Pedro Grifol was fired as manager last August.
“Grady’s a first-class person with a high baseball acumen,” general manager Chris Getz told the Sun-Times. “There was no better person to take over a very difficult situation.”
When Grifol was fired a day after the Sox halted a 21-game losing streak as they tumbled toward an extraordinary 121-loss season in 2024, Getz turned to Sizemore, an unassuming and low key presence on the coaching staff. Players liked him and respected him for who he was as an accomplished player and what they saw of him as a person and coach.
Sizemore taking a seat in the manager’s chair administered a salve of sorts to a battered team.
But it’s Venable who is in charge now and Sizemore, whose first coaching gig was with the Sox under the title of “major league coach,” is back under the footballish title of offensive coordinator, the first such one in the Sox directory.
“I guess I’m trying to create the identity as we go,” Sizemore said. “Offensive coordinator, what does that entail? It’s kind of picking up where I left off last year, building relationships with these guys, trying to find a competitive edge with each player and the team collectively. Maybe it’s hitting, on the bases or situationally. But I’m trying to help on the defensive side as well.
“I’m lucky to have the freedom to make an impact wherever I see the need. Try not to limit it to offense – that’s just the title. I feel like I have that freedom. Will is letting me do my thing.”
In Venable, 42, Sizemore, 42, sees someone the same age with similar traits.
“It’s been great,” Sizemore said. “He has a real good demeanor, it’s been a fun camp so far. I see a lot of similarities there. He’s calm and has a vision for what he wants and he’s doing a good job working with these guys and getting the best out of his players. Guys are responding well to the way he communicates.”
Sizemore grew to be more comfortable and confident as a coach and manager relating to players and knowing what he can offer.
“It would have been exciting to pick up where I left off and get the opportunity [in 2025] but I also realized the situation I was in,” he said.
Sizemore said he was realistic about the direction Getz was going.
“I knew,” he said. “But they let me know I would be a part of this and I would be able to make an impact whether I got the manger job or not. Experience wise, I still want a little more time to study this game from a coaching angle before I get in that full time role as a manager.
“This is not the only path I’m looking for. I don’t want to be narrow and limit myself to that. You take advantage when they’re presented to you. If I get back to [managing] great, if not I’m happy to be part of a team, be in the dugout and working with the guys. The title is not as important as the feedback I get from players and coaches about the work we’re putting in.”
On deck: Brewers at Sox (split squad), 2:05 p.m., Wednesday, Glendale, Tobias Myers vs. Martin Perez
Sox at Brewers, 2:05 p.m., Wednesday, Phoenix, Bryse Wilson vs. Freddy Peralta