A.J. Hinch Was Never Considered For White Sox Manager Position

UPDATE

Tony La Russa has officially been named the new White Sox manager and it turns out that he was the team’s (or Jerry’s) number one choice all along. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, A.J. Hinch was never actually interviewed for the position.

Tony La Russa was the #WhiteSox No. 1 choice and only man they wanted from the jump. A.J. Hinch never interviewed. The details. https://t.co/vFmUqx7IYW

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 29, 2020

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All right, so most signs still point to the White Sox hiring Tony La Russa as their next manager, but there still hasn’t been an announcement and despite there being lots of speculation that it will be La Russa, no one is out there reporting it with 100% certainty.

However, before most White Sox fans let out a collective moan over La Russa, former Astros’ manager A.J. Hinch is still reportedly under consideration for the job according to Jon Heyman.

White Sox are expected to make a managerial hire soon. Eyes are Tony La Russa who’s believed to be Jerry Reinsdorf’s first choice, but no confirm he’s accepted yet. AJ Hinch among others under consideration. Experience is what they seek.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 29, 2020

Yet, as Heyman points out, La Russa is Jerry Reinsdorf’s guy and this really seems like it’s going to be Jerry’s pick despite Rick Hahn’s comments after Ricky Renteria was let go following the team’s first-round exit in the playoffs.

First to mention Tony La Russa as serious White Sox candidate was @BNightengale TLR was fired by Reinsdorf/Hawk Harrelson 34 years ago and JR has long called it his greatest regret in sports. Decision expected soon.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 29, 2020

The speculation that La Russa is going to be hired ramped up on Wednesday, when Lance Briggs of all people teased fans with this Twitter post.

I can see an old Sox coach returning today..👀

— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) October 28, 2020

And he kept up the hype Thursday morning.

#Larussa

— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) October 29, 2020

Seems really random, but Briggs does work for NBC Sports Chicago, which is partially owned by Reinsdorf. Maybe he heard something.

Then, 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine reported that La Russa was already reaching out to potential coaches for his staff. Definitely seems like La Russa is getting ready for the job.

Sources confirm Tony La Russa has talked to close associates about possible coaching and baseball support system positions if he is named the White Sox manager.

— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) October 28, 2020

On Wednesday night, WGN’s Dan Roan also teased a big announcement coming from the White Sox and although he didn’t say what or who, you definitely get the hint.

Don’t be shocked at a major SOX announcement on Thursday and yes, it’s probably what— and WHO— you think it is

— Dan Roan (@DRoan) October 29, 2020

And then there’s Steve Stone, who will always be honest with fans.

Hope you have a will

— Steve Stone (@stevestone) October 29, 2020

So yeah, technically A.J. Hinch is still under consideration, but this screams of Jerry doing what he wants and telling Rick Hahn to step aside in order to hire his good buddy, Tony La Russa.