Things have not been going well for the Chicago White Sox this season.
Heading into Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, the team had a 3-18 record — last in the American League Central by 12.5 games.
Manager Pedro Grifol remains under tremendous scrutiny, but what’s going on doesn’t escape him.
He was asked about accountability and addressed it heading into the matchup:
“I really care about our fans, I truly care about our fans,” he told reporters, including MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. “I care about you guys, as media. Your job is really hard. In reality, every job is hard. I really do care. But I’m not going to throw out there anything that I speak to our players as individuals or as a team. I’m just not going to do it. That’s how I choose to lead. That’s how I choose to run this club. “I can tell you this, rest assured, that everything that happens in this ball club, on the field, off the field, that affects us being able to win a baseball game or affects the integrity and character of this organization, is being addressed.”
The postgame clubhouse remains quiet after each loss and 12-year veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar even said Grifol is doing the best he can during “dark times.” Even adding he’s done the difficult task of introducing positivity into the team.
Prior to Monday’s game, the White Sox ranked last in slugging (.288) with an MLB-low 11 home runs in 21 games.
Perhaps there is a reinforcement, however.
Shortstop Danny Mendick, homered in five straight games at Triple-A Charlotte and joined the
White Sox in Minnesota. He leads the International League in slugging percentage and is second with 14 extra-base hits.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.