The 2024 season was a tough pill to swallow for the Chicago White Sox. With owner Jerry Reinsdorf taking the weight of that disappointment squarely on his shoulders, they had each game bringing in fresh heartbreaks—defensive misplays and shutouts that left fans reeling. For those who have stood by the team through thick and thin, the longing for a comeback feels more distant than ever. Reinsdorf understands the frustration echoing from the stands, which has grown louder over the years. In a heartfelt gesture, the owner has reached out to the supporters with a digital letter.
The White Sox took to their official X account to release this statement just before the team headed into their final game of the season. With a record that makes headlines for all the wrong reasons, this year hasn’t been the franchise’s worst, but a staggering 41-121 record is the most losses for any Major League club since 1900. In a glimmer of hope, the Sox pulled off a 9-5 victory against playoff-bound Detroit in their finale, but that win doesn’t erase the overall disappointment. Their tally still stands at 41-121 – that’s a low score.
Jerry Reinsdorf poured his heart out in the post.
Starting by addressing “the White Sox fans,” the owner added a personal touch to his message. Validating all the responses and frustrations the fans are showcasing towards them by saying, “You all deserved better,” highlighting how this season truly failed to deliver. Every misstep that led the team to the bottom ultimately rests on his shoulders. “This season was a failure. As the leader of this organization, that is my ultimate responsibility. There are no excuses.” Indeed, the year felt like nothing short of a tragedy, and the scoreboard at the end reflects that harsh reality.
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— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 29, 2024
Did you know that the Chicago White Sox broke the post-1900 record for losses, previously held by the 1962 New York Mets, who went 40-120 in their inaugural season? The overall big league record still belongs to the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who infamously finished at 20-134. This year, it felt like the team was all too focused on breaking records in the wrong direction. At 88, Jerry Reinsdorf has only one World Series title under his leadership, seized back in 2005—almost two decades ago! But in baseball, anything can happen.
Just look at the Detroit Tigers, who made it to the 2006 World Series just three years after suffering through a 119-loss season. While acknowledging that the 2024 season was far from great, Jerry Reinsdorf also showed optimism, laying out a plan to improve both the Sox’s performance and its position on the leaderboard for next season. But what are those steps?
What will the White Sox do to make their future better?
As the statement read out, Jerry Reinsdorf’s plan includes further development of players on the current roster and nurturing talents within the system, while scoping out the trade and free-agent markets to boost the ballclub. But it doesn’t stop there—the White Sox are gearing up for some major changes off the field, too. They’re on the hunt for a new manager; a decision which Jerry regarded as the “organization’s most important in the coming months.”
Their general manager, Chris Getz, is hard at work on the search for the next manager. Having pinpointed the key attributes and preferences he’s looking for, this vacancy is exhaustive, but there’s one thing to note: This isn’t the only managerial shake-up; Grady Sizemore stepped in as interim manager on August 8, after Pedro Grifol was let go, guiding the team to a tough 13-32 record—a sobering 47-115 pace. While Getz is looking over a wide range of candidates to lead the White Sox in the clubhouse and dugout, few reports suggest we can see Sizemore in the permanent role.
However that may be, fans are hoping the Sox’s 2025 season turns out better than this one. Honestly, even though the finish hasn’t been ideal, the last stretch for the team has shown some improvement – Chicago wrapped up the season with an 8-6 record, winning five of their last six games—definitely a positive note to end on! The minor leagues are also thriving, with the Class AA Birmingham Barons clinching the Southern League title, while Class A Kannapolis made it to the finals of the Carolina League. So, how do you think the 2025 season of MLB will unfold? Also, should Sizemore be the manager? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
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Is Jerry Reinsdorf's honesty a sign of hope or just more empty promises for White Sox fans?