Current:Home > MarketsSouth Side shake-up: White Sox fire VP Ken Williams, GM Rick Hahn amid 'very disappointing' year-InfoLens
South Side shake-up: White Sox fire VP Ken Williams, GM Rick Hahn amid 'very disappointing' year
View Date:2024-12-23 18:49:36
In a sobering organizational shake-up that severs a three-decade relationship with its top baseball executive, the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday fired executive vice president Ken Williams, the architect of their only World Series title in the last 106 years, along with general manager Rick Hahn.
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf, responding to two horrendous and dysfunctional seasons that began with championship expectations in the middling American League Central, said the decision to dismiss Williams, who began his post-playing career as a White Sox scout in 1992, and Hahn was "incredibly difficult."
"Ken is like a son to me," Reinsdorf said in a statement released by the club, "and I will always consider him a member of my family. I want to personally thank Ken and Rick for all they have done for the White Sox, winning the 2005 World Series and reaching the playoffs multiple times during their tenures."
Williams, 59, took over as White Sox GM shortly after they made the 2000 playoffs. A big league outfielder for the White Sox and three other clubs for six seasons, he brought a player's mentality and a scout's mindset to the job, setting a tone for the club's front office but increasingly seeming an outlier in an industry that further relies on analytics and chief executives raised on Wall Street.
It took just five years for Williams to reach the summit: Assembling a team that leaned heavily on starting pitching, the White Sox swept the Houston Astros in the 2005 World Series, their first title since 1917. They finished that postseason winning their last eight games, including four consecutive complete games from Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia and Jose Contreras.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team
The White Sox would reach the playoffs again in 2008, but miss the playoffs over the next 12 seasons until qualifying for the AL field in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. In between, Williams was promoted to executive vice president in 2012, with Hahn assuming GM duties.
Reinsdorf invited much controversy when, after the 2020 season, he got rid of manager Rick Renteria and hired 76-year-old Hall of Famer Tony La Russa. While the move was mocked by sectors of the media and fans, the White Sox won 93 games and the AL Central title in 2021.
A year later, though, it all fell apart.
La Russa eventually stepped away from the club due to health problems, but the season had spiraled out of control long before then and the White Sox struggled to an 81-81 season. The hiring of Pedro Grifol as manager ostensibly would solidify things, but this year's Sox have been terrible, toting a record of 49-76 into this week.
Reinsdorf, loyal to a fault, finally acknowledged a staid and probably outdated organization needed a reboot.
"Ultimately, the well-worn cliche that professional sports is results-oriented is correct," Reinsdorf said. "This year has proven to be difficult for us on many levels."
The White Sox said a search for a "single decision-maker" to lead the baseball operations department will commence, and that a replacement is expected to be in place by the end of the season.
veryGood! (32)
Related
- Chris Evans Shares Thoughts on Starting a Family With Wife Alba Baptista
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, On Top of the World
- These Celebs Haven’t Made Their Met Gala Debut…Yet
- Man points gun at Pennsylvania pastor during church, police later find body at man's home
- Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader Throws Shade At Her DWTS Partner Sasha Farber Amid Romance Rumors
- Slain nurse’s husband sues health care company, alleging it ignored employees’ safety concerns
- These Foods Are Always Banned From the Met Gala Menu, According to Anna Wintour
- Jake Paul reiterates respect for Mike Tyson but says he has 'to end him' during July fight
- Trump’s economic agenda for his second term is clouding the outlook for mortgage rates
- Slain nurse’s husband sues health care company, alleging it ignored employees’ safety concerns
Ranking
- Diddy's ex-bodyguard sues rape accuser for defamation over claims of 2001 assault
- Gap Factory's Sale Is Up to 75% Off & The Deals Will Have You Clicking Add To Cart ASAP
- NCAA lacrosse tournament bracket, schedule, preview: Notre Dame leads favorites
- Children are dying of fentanyl by the dozens in Missouri. A panel is calling for changes
- 'I was in total shock': Woman wins $1 million after forgetting lotto ticket in her purse
- Two suspects arrested in fatal shooting on Delaware college campus are not students, police say
- Police close pro-Palestinian encampment at USC; UCLA creates new campus safety office: Updates
- Shop $8 Gymshark Leggings, $10 BaubleBar Bracelets, $89 Platform Beds & 99 More Deals
Recommendation
-
Why Suits' Gabriel Macht Needed Time Away From Harvey Specter After Finale
-
Investor Nuns’ Shareholder Resolutions Aim to Stop Wall Street Financing of Fossil Fuel Development on Indigenous Lands
-
Aaron Hernandez's Fiancée Shayanna Jenkins Slams Cruel Tom Brady Roast Jokes About Late NFL Star
-
Why Bachelor Nation's Bryan Abasolo Is Seeking Spousal Support in Rachel Lindsay Divorce
-
Sting Says Sean Diddy Combs Allegations Don't Taint His Song
-
2 killed when a small plane headed to South Carolina crashes in Virginia, police say
-
For farmers, watching and waiting is a spring planting ritual. Climate change is adding to anxiety
-
These Kardashian-Jenner Met Gala Looks From Over the Years Are Amazing, Sweetie