Chicago White Sox: Must get off to fast start in 2021
After having great success last year, the Chicago White Sox are looking to keep all their fanfare hype and momentum going full swing into the 2021 season. Given the current state of their division, with once powerhouse teams Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins potentially taking a step back, it appears the A.L. Central Division is the White Sox’s to lose.
In order to keep the good times rolling, it is crucial that the White Sox, under new management, get off to a blistering start to begin the season. Last year’s squad started the shortened season very sluggish, only to go on a winning surge to take a division lead momentarily. They faltered down the stretch, losing their division, and ended up getting bounced out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round against the Oakland Athletics.
Last year’s disappointing finish should remain in the rearview mirror, outside of the fact that young players like Eloy Jimenez and Luis Roberts, along with veterans Dallas Keuchel and Tim Anderson among others made notable impacts. The White Sox made tremendous strides on the diamond, and with so much talent on the roster, it’s hardly a surprise that many media pundits are already projecting them to be one of the best teams in the league.
Now that the regular season is not comprised of just 60 games, one might believe that it’s not necessarily a big deal if the White Sox get off to another slow start in 2021. For most teams, that’s exactly the case … but not if you’re the White Sox, who did the unimaginable mere months ago by hiring 76 year-old manager Tony La Russa, who hasn’t coached in a decade.
Given his age and time away from managing, many fans thought it was a head-scratcher by the front office to make such as unconventional hire when there were other great managerial candidates available. If the White Sox hadn’t already received a target on their back from other teams looking to thwart their momentum, the La Russa hire further brings the organization into the spotlight.
How teams choose to handle the spotlight and everything that comes with it often has long-term ramifications. The White Sox, win or lose, are going to have all eyes centered on them. If they get off to a slow start to being the season, the players, coaching staff, and everyone within the organization will most definitely be under intense scrutiny. When adversity hits a team, especially a young one with a brand new manager who is trying to build chemistry with his players, minor speed bumps along the way can quickly turn into potholes if not careful.
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A baseball season is not a sprint, but a marathon. Even if the White Sox get off to a rough start, they can still manage to climb out of a hole or two that they’ve created to get back on track, especially with all the talent they possess. Unfortunately we’ve seen many teams that look great on paper simply falter for a number of glaring reasons once Spring Training ends. Getting off to a slow start is simply asking for more trouble that often lies ahead.