White Sox Release VP Ken Williams and GM Rick Hahn
(United Latest News)- CHICAGO — In a sudden move, the Chicago White Sox have relieved Executive Vice President Ken Williams and General Manager Rick Hahn of their duties, effective immediately, as announced by the team on Tuesday.
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf shared his perspective in a statement, acknowledging the results-driven nature of professional sports: “The adage that professional sports hinge on results holds true. Despite our organizational successes and the optimism surrounding our rebuild’s competitive phase, this year has brought profound disappointment on multiple fronts. Consequently, I’ve reached the conclusion that the best course for our organization’s future involves a change in leadership within our baseball department.”
Following a 6-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night, the White Sox concluded the day with a 49-77 record, trailing the first-place Minnesota Twins by 16 games.
Having undergone a documented rebuild over the past decade, including playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021, the White Sox managed to secure merely two postseason victories during that period. Their performance took a nosedive this year, marred by internal discord within the clubhouse, following an 81-81 finish the previous season.
Ken Williams had been associated with the franchise since 1992, steadily advancing through various roles, including General Manager. He led the team to victory in the 2005 World Series and was later elevated to the position of Executive Vice President in 2012. The same year saw Rick Hahn’s promotion to General Manager.
Williams expressed gratitude towards the fans for their enduring support and the team for entrusting him with longstanding leadership responsibilities. In his words: “I extend my appreciation to White Sox fans for their consistent support throughout the years. I am grateful to Jerry Reinsdorf for granting me the opportunity to lead baseball operations and I will forever take pride in the shared celebration of the World Series Championship. When I began, I spoke about achieving multiple championships. That was our aspiration, but it remains unfulfilled. Results matter, and we fell short. This is the consequence.”
Rick Hahn also conveyed his thanks, acknowledging the contributions of coaches, scouts, analysts, sports performance experts, and front office personnel who played pivotal roles. He asserted his belief that the clubhouse and minor league system possess essential components of a championship team.
Under Hahn’s leadership, the team couldn’t secure playoff berths in the initial five years, following which the White Sox embarked on a rebuilding phase, mirroring a similar endeavor by the crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs. While the rebuild yielded a wealth of young talent, the team struggled to meld these components into a cohesive unit, resulting in both offensive imbalances and defensive shortcomings.
The managerial position also experienced flux, with Rick Renteria taking the helm in 2017, succeeded by Tony La Russa, who came out of retirement in 2021. Despite clinching the AL Central by a significant margin in 2021, the team regressed in 2022. La Russa retired again due to health concerns, leading to the appointment of former Kansas City Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol in November. However, Grifol’s debut season was marred by subpar performance, an in-game altercation with the Cleveland Guardians, and claims by former White Sox relief pitcher Keynan Middleton of a “rule-free” clubhouse environment.
Pedro Grifol referred to the dismissals as “shocking,” suggesting that the upheaval had unsettled the team. He commented, “When the season starts with high expectations and we collectively fall short, unfortunately, such outcomes can occur. Today, two remarkable individuals, after lengthy tenures in Chicago marked by significant accomplishments, lost their positions.”
According to the statement, the White Sox are initiating a search for a “singular decision-maker” to head the baseball operations department, with intentions to finalize the selection by season’s end.
Jerry Reinsdorf added, “This is an exceedingly challenging choice for me, as both possess extraordinary talents and longstanding connections to the White Sox. Ken is akin to a son, and he will forever remain part of my family. To Ken and Rick, I extend my personal gratitude for their contributions to the Chicago White Sox, including the 2005 World Series triumph and multiple postseason qualifications during their tenures.”
