The White Sox’s managerial search process is officially underway with the interview of … yup, they really did it. An interview for Tony La Russa.
Per this report, La Russa “remains a top candidate in the search”:
White Sox have conducted an interview with Tony La Russa for their managerial opening, sources confirmed.@MLBBruceLevine has the details here: https://t.co/36DvZvtRJT pic.twitter.com/plWcodbjvh
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) October 21, 2020
At 76, La Russa would be long in the tooth for a manager these days, but obviously he does have an extraordinarily long track record of success. He hasn’t managed in nearly a decade, though, and his relationship with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has to make you at least question to what extent this is serious, to what extent it’s a courtesy, and to what extent it’s a little bit of both (with a side of just getting some additional thoughts on your organization from an experienced outside observer).
Meanwhile, in other candidate notes, James Fox reports that Cubs bench coach Andy Green is “expected to interview for the opening with the Sox”:
White Sox job a desirable destination for managerial candidates
It’s an organization loaded with talent, in a top-three market located in a world-class city, so @JamesFox917 says that Rick Hahn should enjoy the search. https://t.co/bZ1zZq9nSv pic.twitter.com/GqBKrrrWp0
— South Side Sox (@SouthSideSox) October 22, 2020
Green, formerly the manager of the Padres, seemed to get on well as David Ross’s first bench coach, per the latest at The Athletic: “The staff should look largely the same next season. Ross clicked with bench coach Andy Green, whose managing experience and sense of organization helped guide a team that was in first place all but one day of the regular season.”
That said, if Green has an opportunity to interview for the Sox job, it’d be surprising if he didn’t take a chance.
I still think A.J. Hinch is going to be the top target for the White Sox when all is said and done, and I also think the White Sox job is going to be sufficiently attractive that they may have their pick of the litter. We’ll keep you posted if Green winds up getting an interview, or perhaps third base coach Will Venable, who has been interviewed several times in recent years for managerial openings.