The Chicago White Sox are having a rough go this season, staring down the possibility of a record-breaking 123 losses. Currently, they’re on track to surpass the notorious 1962 New York Mets who finished at 40-120.
Ozzie Guillen, the last manager to lead the White Sox to a World Series win, is rubbing salt in the wound from his new role at NBC Sports Chicago, where he serves as a pre- and postgame analyst. Known for his candid remarks, Guillen has been vocal about the team’s struggles and his thoughts on the current management.
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Guillen expressed his disappointment when he recently revealed he was interested in the coaching position that ultimately went to Pedro Grifol. Following yet another loss to the Minnesota Twins, he didn’t hold back. “I gotta go to a psychologist tomorrow,” he joked, adding, “A few years ago, I was happy. Now, I’m bitter… They picked Pedro over me.”
After clarifying that Pedro Grifol is 100 games under .500 as White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillén explains, as only Ozzie can, how he reacted when Grifol was hired over him. pic.twitter.com/XKeCnFvOx9
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As of now, the Sox have a record of 27-87 and are 100 games under .500 since Grifol took over. Guillen’s insight was blunt: “That means Pedro is 100 games under .500 from the time he got the job,” showcasing his knack for adding humor to bleak statistics.
Reports suggest that Guillen was given a “token interview” for the manager position after Tony La Russa stepped down. He recounted, “When Rick Hahn called me and said I didn’t get the job, he mentioned that they ‘found the next Ozzie Guillen.'”
The team is on the cusp of tying an American League record with 21 consecutive losses. If they reach that, they’ll aim to break the record set by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies at 23 losses.
While a manager’s influence is limited, Guillen seemed to think that either he or Grifol could significantly change the team’s luck. He might need a reality check, though; both he and Grifol have less control over the roster than they may assume.
Although Guillen did manage to win a championship last year in the Venezuelan Winter League, it’s worth remembering that his last MLB gig ended on a sour note after only one season with the Miami Marlins. “I’m drinking a lot,” Guillen confessed. “I have problems with my wife. The only people who get along with me are my grandkids—I don’t know why.”