It’s award season in the MLB and the White Sox are getting plenty of recognition. Three members of the 2020 White Sox, Rick Renteria, Luis Robert and Jose Abreu, were all named finalist by the Baseball Writers of America.
A.L. Manager of the Year
While most fans would like to forget about Rick Renteria’s tenure with the White Sox, his name was in the headlines once again after being named a finalist for A.L. Manager of the Year. Despite being fired by the White Sox following the 2020 season he will join Kevin Cash (Tampa Bay Rays) and Charlie Montoyo (Blue Jays) as a finalist for the award. What followed was an awkward Congratulations from the team on Twitter.
Congratulations to Rick Renteria on being named a finalist for A.L. Manager of the Year. https://t.co/dJWrFEg16f
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 2, 2020
Renteria helped guide the White Sox to their first playoff appearance since 2008. Despite some strategical mishaps Renteria was a valuable piece of the White Sox during the rebuild. His fingerprints are all over the development players such as Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada. He also helped establish a good locker room culture. However the White Sox late season collapse and a short playoff stint ultimately led to his dismissal. Renteria was replaced by Tony La Russa who won the award with the White Sox in 1983. The winner will be announced on November 10th on MLB Network at 6 pm ET.
A.L. Rookie of the Year
The White Sox center fielder also received some recognition on Monday night. Luis Robert was named a finalist for A.L. Rookie of the year. He will be up against Christian Javier from the Astros, and Kyle Lewis from the Mariners.
La Pantera! Luis Robert has been named an A.L. Rookie of the Year finalist. pic.twitter.com/P3PATWmqai
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 2, 2020
The last White Sox to win the award was Robert’s teammate and mentor Jose Abreu back in 2014.
Robert went through his ups and downs but had an overall solid rookie year. He led the teams in stolen bases with nine. He also ranked third on the White Sox with 11 home runs and runs scored with 33.
This is not the first award the 22 year old phenom has been nominated for this year. He was also named a finalist for a Gold Glove Award in October. His defensive talents are one of the reasons he is in the running for A.L Rookie of the Year. The winner will be announced on November 9th on MLB Network at 6 pm ET.
A.L MVP
To cap off the night Jose Abreu was named a finalist for A.L MVP. Unlike the other two awards, the White Sox will have the favorite for MVP. Two weeks ago he was named Sporting News MLB player of the year. Abreu was spectacular this season.
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/1xjQ5X6DHG
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 2, 2020
He led the A.L in hits (76), RBI’s (60), slugging percentage (.617), extra base hits (34) and total bases (148). He also finished second in home runs with 19 and cracked the top in batting average (.317) and OPS (.987). Abreu was the only player in the A.L to rank in the top five in each of those categories.
If he wins Jose Abreu will join Frank Thomas (1993-94), Dick Allen (1972) and Nellie Fox (1959) as the only White Sox players to win AL MVP.
He will be up against Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu and Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez. The winner will be announced on November 12th on MLB Network at 6 pm ET.
