White Sox: Why firing Tony La Russa isn’t an option

The Chicago White Sox have struggled of late, and Tony La Russa is one of the reasons why. But would firing him help over the long haul?

La Russa’s decision to walk Trea Turner with two strikes, for example, was not a wise one. It immediately backfired and helped give the Dodgers a lead thanks to a Max Muncy home run.

White Sox fans have not been shy in their discontent with La Russa. Despite being Hall-of-Fame worthy, the veteran manager is not bulletproof. He will receive his hate, and he’s open to that kind of scrutiny.

“There isn’t anything that is happening with this team that at the end, I’m not responsible for. If you don’t like the record, it’s your responsibility, if you don’t like the moves, whatever it is,” La Russa said. “I’ve never dodged accountability. And I won’t start now.”

That kind of old-school mindset, however, is exactly why the White Sox can’t afford to let La Russa go midseason.

White Sox: Firing Tony La Russa now isn’t the answer

La Russa will have to explain his mistakes to the front office come the end of the season, especially if Chicago’s struggles force them to miss the playoffs. However, given how well-liked TLR is in the Sox clubhouse — even to players like Tim Anderson, who are nearly 50 years younger than he is — shows firing him now would be a grave mistake.

La Russa has his fingerprints all over this team. Whether that’s good or bad remains to be seen, but he’s the kind of calming influence the Sox need this year, especially due to all the injuries they faced early in the campaign.

Taking some of that accountability off of the players is actually exactly what the White Sox need to figure it out in these hot summer months.

For now, Chicago is just six games back of the Twins in the AL Central, and 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. Panic is not the answer, which is exactly what firing La Russa would bring to a clubhouse that cannot afford such chaos.