Chicago White Sox: Rick Renteria deserved credit from MLB
Rick Renteria deserves credit from MLB award voters for his 2020 Chicago White Sox season.
The Chicago White Sox are dealing with some off-the-field managerial issues but they don’t have to do with Rick Renteria. Renteria was fired not long after the season ended as the White Sox are trying to take the next step. It was the smart move because he is not the guy to get them to that next step but he did do well for his role. He was a great manager for a young rebuilding team that is trying to build it up. For his efforts, he was nominated for the Manager of the Year in the American League.
It was awkward to see him nominated after being fired. Some people who don’t follow the White Sox closely might be confused as to why he was fired but he wasn’t the guy going forward. His lineup construction and bullpen management were shaky down the stretch which led to his demise as the coach.
He did, however, help lead the White Sox to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. They were also over .500 for the first time since 2012 so they definitely took a big step. It was awesome to watch this team play hard every day. That doesn’t just go for 2020 either. “Ricky’s boys don’t quit” was a saying for a reason as his guys always gave their best effort. A lot of the time, a very non-talented team was fun to watch and Rick deserved credit for that.
He came in second place for the award which seems very fair. Renteria is the first manager in the history of the White Sox to ever come in second place for the award. Four men have won it but the next highest finish in team history was third.
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Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays won the award for 2020 and deservedly so. They were the best team in the American League under him and he deserves credit for that. Even though it was second place, Renteria deserves the credit that he is receiving from the voters because he did a good job. Letting him go was the right decision but if they eventually win with their new core, Renteria will get credit for his time helping them develop.