Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Glendale, Ariz. — It doesn’t take long to understand the new era and attitude that Pedro Grifol is implementing into the Chicago White Sox culture.
Hired as the team’s manager early in the offseason, Pedro Grifol is the 42nd manager in Chicago’s long history. Serving within the Kansas City Royals organization since 2013, Grifol saw plenty of the White Sox with his own eyes during that time. He also saw a team that underwhelmed last season, finishing 81-81 after a tumultuous season that includes health issues for Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa before his retirement. That stumble came on the heels of the White Sox winning the division in 2021.
That, however, is in the past for Grifol and the team. He is charting a new course ahead based on a simple philosophy: “Just play hard.”
Chicago White Sox spring training: Pedro Grifol pushes fundamentals
On Saturday, Grifol used a play in Friday’s 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds as an example of what he wants to see from his team in 2023.
With two outs in the bottom of the second, All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson hustled down the line to beat out an infield single that was hit to Cincinnati’s Kevin Newman. The play not only allowed Hanser Alberto to score, but also brought Andrew Vaughn to the plate. Vaughn took advantage of the opportunity, launching a 1-2 pitch for a three-run homer to give the White Sox a 5-0 lead.
“I have to highlight TA running hard down the line, beating that ball out, and then the homer by Vaughn,” Grifol said. “That’s what we’re about. That’s what we’re preaching. Just play hard.”
Grifol went on to break down other highlights, but also said his team still has things to work on this spring.
“We still have to improve our overall secondary leads. That’s an area we have to get better at, and we’re addressing that,” Grifol said.
The little things that perhaps kept the White Sox from building momentum in 2022 will certainly be addressed by Grifol and his staff this spring, hoping that moments that may not show up in the box score like running hard to beat out an infield single will pay big dividends in 2023.