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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer
CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox made a bold move on Tuesday by firing executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn, effective immediately, as announced by the team. This decision comes after a disappointing season that fell short of expectations.
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf explained the reasoning behind the decision, stating, “In professional sports, results matter. Despite our previous successes, this year has been highly disappointing on multiple levels. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the organization to make a change in our baseball department leadership.”
The White Sox currently hold a record of 49-77, 16 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins. Their recent 6-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners only added to their struggles.
In the past decade, the organization underwent a rebuild, which resulted in playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021. However, they were only able to win two postseason games during that time. Last season, they finished with an 81-81 record before experiencing turmoil and underperformance this year.
Ken Williams, who had been with the team since 1992, played various roles before becoming the general manager. He played a crucial role in the White Sox’s 2005 World Series victory and was promoted to executive vice president in 2012. Rick Hahn was promoted to general manager in the same year.
In a statement, Ken Williams expressed his gratitude towards White Sox fans for their unwavering support throughout the years. He also acknowledged the opportunity he had to lead the team and win a World Series. However, he acknowledged that the ultimate goal of winning multiple championships was not achieved, leading to the decision.
Similarly, Rick Hahn thanked the coaches, scouts, analysts, sports performance professionals, and front office staff for their dedication and hard work. He expressed confidence in the talented players within the clubhouse and minor league system.
The White Sox’s rebuild yielded promising young talent, but they struggled to find balance in their lineup and field a strong defensive team. The team went through managerial changes, with Rick Renteria and Tony La Russa taking the helm. While they won the AL Central in 2021, their performance declined the following year, leading to La Russa’s retirement due to health concerns. Pedro Grifol was hired as the new manager, but the team faced challenges, including poor play, internal conflicts, and a perceived lack of rules in the clubhouse.
Upon learning about the management changes, Grifol described them as shocking. He emphasized the impact it had on the team and praised the contributions of Ken Williams and Rick Hahn throughout their long tenure in Chicago.
The White Sox intend to search for a new leader to oversee their baseball operations department. They aim to have this individual in place by the end of the season.
In closing, Reinsdorf expressed his difficulty in making this decision and his deep respect for Ken Williams and Rick Hahn as individuals. He acknowledged their accomplishments, including the 2005 World Series victory and multiple postseason appearances.
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