The White Sox have taken immediate action by firing executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn, according to the team's announcement on Tuesday.
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf expressed that the decision stems from the results-oriented nature of professional sports. While the organization had previously experienced successes and held optimism during the rebuild period, the disappointing outcomes this year on various levels prompted Reinsdorf to decide on a change in leadership within the baseball department.
The White Sox finished the day with a 49-77 record, trailing the first-place Minnesota Twins by 16 games after a 6-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.
Having undergone a stated rebuild over the last decade, which resulted in playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021, the White Sox's post-season victories during those years amounted to just two. Following an 81-81 record last season, the team experienced a decline this year amidst internal issues within the clubhouse.
Ken Williams, who had been part of the team since 1992 and held various roles, including general manager, was at the helm during the 2005 World Series championship. He was promoted to executive vice president in 2012, which coincided with Rick Hahn's elevation to general manager.
In his subsequent statement, Williams expressed gratitude towards White Sox fans for their support throughout the years and appreciated the opportunity to hold a leadership position with the team. He acknowledged that the team's goal of multiple championships fell short and took responsibility for the outcome.
Hahn also issued a statement thanking the team's coaches, scouts, analysts, sports performance professionals, and front office staff for their dedication. He expressed belief that the clubhouse and minor league system contain essential elements for a championship team.
During Hahn's tenure, the team failed to secure a postseason spot in the initial five years before initiating a rebuilding effort akin to the cross-town rival Chicago Cubs. Despite amassing a collection of young talent, the White Sox struggled to find synergy within their lineup and establish a strong defensive presence.
The team underwent managerial changes, transitioning from Rick Renteria to Tony La Russa, who came out of retirement in 2021. Although the team clinched the AL Central title by a significant margin that year, they regressed in 2022 as La Russa retired again due to health concerns. The subsequent hiring of Pedro Grifol in November as the new manager has been marked by challenges such as poor performance, on-field altercations, and claims of a lax clubhouse environment.
Reinsdorf stated that the White Sox will commence a search for a "single decisionmaker" to lead the baseball operations department, with the goal of having someone in place by the end of the season. He expressed deep respect for both Ken Williams and Rick Hahn, acknowledging their contributions to the team's World Series victory and multiple postseason appearances.