Earlier today I heard most of Pedro Grifol’s radio interview with a couple Chicago baseball guys. Rather than parse what he said, I’ll note a couple points he made. The new White Sox manager has earned a longer honeymoon period than most Chicago coaches because he’s replacing Tony LaRussa.

Despite being a HOF manager, LaRussa didn’t leave town on the best of terms with Sox fans. During the season he was frequently serenaded with “Fire Tony,” chants at home games.

And as far as I can tell, he’s the right man for the job. However, I don’t have an emotional investment in the product. I respect that he’s not calling anyone out yet despite a disappointing 2022 season. I hope for baseball’s sake and Sox fans’ he’ll hold players accountable when it’s warranted.

To coin a current phrase, he’s an expert communicator and his intentions are clear-even if he has mastered in coach speak. On no fewer than three occasions, he said players competing for right field, second base and catcher will have to “grab the bull by the horns.” I’m sure he’ll reiterate that countless times to the assembled masses in Glendale next month. He also suggested that several players who failed miserably, individually and as a team (last year) will be playing with chips on their shoulders.

Personally, I don’t like being around, working with or listening to folks with chips on their shoulders. They’re usually miserable souls with inferiority complexes or haven’t lived up to expectations recently.

Forget the trite phrases, just player better or “play to the back of your baseball card.” I’m not suggesting that Grifol is any different from any other manager. In fact, I’ve read or heard the same garbage from David Ross in describing Cody Belinger’s career arc and prospects with the 2023 Cubs.

Players get second and third chances every season and in every professional sport. It’s the media’s job and not managers and coaches that need to dramatize the process. Not every attempt at a bounce back can or will be successful-especially if the player doesn’t a) put in the requisite effort b) have the talent (any loner). It’ s the manager’s job to assess the effort and results, not worry about the shoulder chips.

I’m guessing that Grifol is handcuffed by ownership and management and he may have to battle Cleveland and Minnesota with the current 40-man, but his comments (unbeknownst to him) lead me to believe they don’t understand the situation.

More on that later.

c