White Sox Hire Connie Mack as Bench Coach
Nov 13 2020 07:40 AM |
RandBalls Stu
in The Lighter Side
Image courtesy of Public Domain
The Chicago White Sox announced Thursday that they’re adding another Hall of Fame manager to DUI enthusiast Tony La Russa’s coaching staff.“We’re incredibly thrilled to announce that Connie Mack will be our bench coach for the 2020 season,” said White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
Mack, who has been dead since 1956, holds the major league record for managerial wins, losses, and total games.
“With so many exciting young players on our team, getting proven leaders on board to help guide this ship and take that next step in the playoffs is critical,” said Reinsdorf. “Connie fits this bill perhaps better than anyone.”
Reaction to the hire was mixed.
“He’s been dead since 1956,” said ESPN’s Jeff Passan. “I’d note that he also never managed a Black or Hispanic player and the inherent cultural differences that might entail, but the overriding concern from the sources I’ve spoken with is that he died many, many years ago. It’s a heavy lift.”
“Tony La Russa is a Hall of Fame baseball guy,” said Reinsdorf. “And the critics had their knives out for him. I’m not surprised by this reaction by bloggers and so-called journalists chasing clicks. It’s disappointing.”
Mack’s ancestors could not be reached for comment. His remains are interred at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Glenside, Pennsylvania.
“Between Tony and Connie, we added a century of baseball knowledge in one offseason,” said Reinsdorf. “Some teams are parting with their best players or are more worried about getting their financial house in order. We’re going for it. I think it says a lot about the Chicago White Sox organization.”
“He’s dead. He’s been dead for a very long time,” noted Passan.
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15 Comments
Rumors are that Jim Beam, George Dickel, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniel, and Glen Fiddich will round out the coaching staff.
This is a genius move by the White Sox. They add another hall of fame manager while spending, well, nothing at all. Dollars-to-wins, this is the best move in MLB history.
LOL about Connie Mack!I've read that Mack figured out he didn't have to field a competitive team to make money, which explains how bad the A's were by the end of his tenure.
Most interesting baseball story in bleak pandemic times for me is the hiring of LaRussa. I'll be rooting for the Twins to leave them in the dust, but with what LaRussa has said about it being easier to win now than it was in the past (presumably he meant the years he managed), seeing how this turns is much more intriguing than a lot of what has happened in baseball lately.
I just hope he lasts through spring. Wouldn't mind seeing him bounced next summer. But baseball will be more interesting with LaRussa involved through the spring.
"It's a heavy lift" made me ... laugh out loud. There, I spelled it for you. I did, and no abbreviations were harmed in the doing!
With that hire, I think their chances have gone under.
He retired at age 87, which is incredible. I wonder how much he cared about making money by the end.
One wonders how much work he was really doing by that time, or if he was like Joe Paterno who was "the coach" at Penn State in spite of never appearing on the field for several years.
I guffawed out loud when I saw the headline. Nicely done!
Gee Dang, was hoping for Honus Wagner. Guy has windmills as hands to wave guys around third....maybe next year.
You forgot to mention that Connie Mack was an icon in terms of in-game apparel.
I'm betting that Tony, the guy with the HOF ring, who is legit, will not make it to opening day.
I believe that Connie would want to sell all the players - why win when you can make a profit - and then hire Gardy to handle another rebuilding 100 loss team.Baseball just continues to inspire.
In most cases I don't mind if a thread goes off on a bit of a tangent. This is not one of those cases. I don't like it when someone makes me think of this broadcaster.
There was a rumor that the Sox are also bring back Dummy Hoy and Fielder Jones, to help out with coaching batting strategy and fielding.
I did not believe the rumor at first but I saw a picture of Dummy's new locker, so it's real.