Could These World Series Heroes Manage the White Sox Next Year?

Willie Harris, who played for the Sox in the 2005 World Series, was until recently the third-base coach for the Chicago Cubs. He and the team have parted ways, and that has some Chicago-area radio hosts speculating that Harris could be tapped for the managerial opening that materialized when the Sox fired Pedro Grifol.

Meanwhile, David Ross, who was let go as the Cubs' manager before the 2024 season so that the Cubs could hire Craig Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers, is still looking for a job.

Could the Sox hire Ross, and Ross hire Harris as a coach?

Harris has a reputation for being beloved by players, while Ross has an intensity that could help the Sox build a winning culture -- and could help them actually play fundamentally sound baseball. The Sox struggled with that under Grifol, despite his claims that they would be strong when it came to fundamentals.

It's worth noting a few things here. Harris has no managerial experience, and Ross's Cubs, while competitive, weren't a playoff team in 2023. Also, to be clear, the radio chatter was just that -- local radio hosts were entertaining ideas out loud. Nothing, to this author's knowledge, has been reported about either Harris or Ross being interested in the White Sox job. Nor, again to this author's knowledge, has there been any reporting about the Sox being interested in either one of them.

It also appears that the interim White Sox manager is popular enough with his players that he might get a chance at earning the job. Initially, White Sox General Manager Chris Getz had said that Sizemore wasn't going to be considered for stepping into the role permanently, but Sizemore has probably at least earned an interview.

Again, there's been no reporting here, as far as I know. It's just a fun thought exercise as the Sox search for a new manager, especially now that Terry Francona has signed on with the Cincinnati Reds. There may still be a few currently employed managers and coaches who become unemployed after the postseason -- or hot candidates currently working for a playoff team who won't be available just yet. So the search is just starting.

Still, it's fun to wonder what an intense person like Ross could do to get the Sox in shape, especially as a rebuilding team relies on prospects to fuel a youth movement. Or perhaps Harris could connect with young players and help them develop.

On the other hand, maybe Sizemore could do the same -- after all, he is well-liked.

One thing is for sure: whoever the next Sox manager is, it shouldn't be Tony La Russa. If he's back, an already angry fanbase will riot.

It's clear that the next Sox manager will need to be one who can connect with young players, get players to have sound fundamentals, and be patient as young talent develops. This team is unlikely to compete in the next year or two -- or three -- so that has to be kept in mind.

It's fun to think about potential names, and maybe two Chicago World Series heroes should be in the mix.

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