DETROIT – Whether it’s still in the manager’s seat or on the coaching staff, Grady Sizemore wants to be part of the White Sox next season. Sox players want him, but just how much weight that carries with general manager Chris Getz remains to be seen.
With games remaining Sunday after a 4-0 win over the Tigers that held the Sox’ modern day loss record set the night before at 121, Sizemore said Saturday his focus is still on this season — which has one game left Sunday — and he’s not looking beyond that. His taste of managing in the interim after Pedro Grifol was fired has stoked his desire to have the job, though.
Whatever the job that awaits him, he wants it to be with the Sox.
“I haven’t thought about exploring other options,” the former three-time All-Star outfielder said Saturday. “I’m committed to the team. I want to come back and just be a part of the turnaround.”
Sizemore says he has a good handle of what the Sox have and don’t. He knows the players, has a better understanding of the organization and a better idea of what it will take.
“Learning everything we did this year, you want to come in with a different game plan on how to get better,” he said. “Obviously this year, it didn’t work out. We can’t come in [next spring] with the same thing. We have to find out what our identity is and how we’re going to win games.”
Young starting pitchers like Drew Thorpe, Davis Martin, Jonathan Cannon, Sean Burke and of course Garrett Crochet – if he’s not traded – have been good enough to hang a hat on. Burke (1.42 ERA) pitched five innings of scoreless ball as the Sox won for the fourth time in five games.
“Our pitching staff has established itself as a strength at this point,” Sizemore said. “We have a lot of tough, young arms that are going to be really good for us in the rotation. The bullpen is looking good. So now it’s playing good defense and how are we going to manufacture runs. It’s not like we’re going to slug the ball out of the ballpark all the time so we have to find ways to get on base and create pressure and be aggressive. That would be the mindset for me next year.”
Andrew Benintendi tied his career high with his 20th homer, Bryan Ramos hit his third one out of the park, and Andrew Vaughn singled home Benintendi (double) to account for Saturday’s runs. The start of the game was delayed 2 hours, 20 minutes by rain.
Six strikeouts for Burke
In his third start and fourth appearance, Burke (1.42 ERA) walked three of the first seven Tigers faced in damp, misty conditions, then retired 10 straight before allowing a two-out double to Dillon Dingler in the fourth. He threw 84 pitches, using all four in his arsenal.
“It’s good to have success with these, but it’s only four [appearances],” Burke said. “I want to do this for a long time not just a month. There are definitely some things I can improve on.”
Michael Soroka retired all nine batters he faced with five strikeouts and Gus Varland pitched a scoreless ninth.
Support for Grady
For what it’s worth, the players like and respect Sizemore and it’s hard finding one who would object to him coming back as manager next season.
Outfielder Zach DeLoach, who was called up in May when Grifol was managing and again in September when Sizemore had taken over, noticed a different energy with the team.
“When I first got here it was a little dead, with Grady at the helm everyone is a little more free, a little more loose,” DeLoach said. “Pedro did a great job with the car he was given but there’s definitely a difference this time around. Just happy to be a part of it.”
This and that
Luis Robert Jr. missed his second straight game with sore ribs.
*The Tigers’ Wild Card position, No. 2 or 3 in the AL playoffs, will be determined Sunday.