The 2022 season has been frustrating for Chicago White Sox fans. Fresh off winning the American League Central for the first time in 13 years, earning their 2nd consecutive playoff appearance, the Sox had the 3rd highest odds of winning the World Series heading into the season. Flashforward to today and they sit in 3rd place in the division, two games behind the Cleveland Guardians. Many fans are blaming manager Tony La Russa for where the club sits in the standings… and with good reason.

La Russa’s Long List of Errors

Tony La Russa is a Hall of Fame manager, no one can take that away from him. He’s won three World Series titles since his first stint coaching the White Sox. This season has been a different story. La Russa has come under fire for questionable decisions from intentionally walking batters on two-strike counts, batting utility player Leury Garcia 3rd in the lineup on several occasions, to even dozing off in the dugout! It’s been a rough go for the Hall of Fame manager.

Even the Dodgers broadcasters are shocked Garcia is batting Top of the order. 😂 pic.twitter.com/DX77jxtE4l

— SWC (@SwiftChanceIIor) June 9, 2022

White Sox Fans Calling For La Russa’s Head

It’s easy to understand why White Sox fans are so frustrated. The laundry list of errors continue for La Russa. He’s often outsmarting himself and it looks like his best days are behind him.

Sox Fan Throws La Russa A Bone

Looking like his job was on the line, a White Sox fan gave La Russa a timely piece of advice. Tied 2-2 to the Houston Astros on Monday, Eloy Jiménez hit a game tying double. White Sox fans know that Jiménez base-running skills leave a lot to be desired. A baby giraffe learning to walk and run for the first time might be more coordinated than Jiménez on the base paths, but I digress. Sensing the moment, one White Sox fan in the lower level shouted at La Russa to pinch run Jiménez for the faster Adam Engel.  What happened next was equally shocking and awesome.

No way my Dad got Tony to pinch run Engel in the 8th 😭 @JomboyMedia @MLBONFOX @JamesFox917 @NBCSChicago @SoxMach_pnoles pic.twitter.com/CTr7aeUumL

— David (@WeinoChi) August 16, 2022

You can guess what happened next.  After walks to Jose Abreu and Yasmani Grandal, Yoan Moncada knocked in Engel and Abreu with a single, giving the Sox the lead for good.

Internet Blows Up Over La Russa Doing What Fan Says

The outcome, and the video, couldn’t have been better. The fan clearly got in La Russa’s head and the Sox manager, to his credit, put the Engel into the game, later becoming the game winning run.  Sox twitter couldn’t get enough of it.

Coming next home stand in the Scout Seats. https://t.co/62pSPg28An pic.twitter.com/RGn5Vt1ZJl

— White Sox Exploding Scoreboard (@SoxScoreboard) August 16, 2022

The plan? Hire a group of White Sox fans to sit near the dugout daily, each with jobs such as:

•reminding La Russa to use pinch runners
•alerting him when cameras are on him in case he’s falling asleep
•stopping him from intentionally walking anyone with 2 strikes

162-0. https://t.co/hsTmI15O3c

— Nik Gaur (@Gaur_Nik) August 16, 2022

Fire Tony and hire some random guy’s dad…anyone’s dad…just fire Tony! https://t.co/0XDMypuMPz

— Matt Huelsing (@kyandi7) August 16, 2022

Did this guy get Tony La Russa to use a pinch-runner? 😅

(via @WeinoChi) pic.twitter.com/jn8r0vd1eQ

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 16, 2022

Injuries Hurting Sox, La Russa Not Helping

There’s certainly a lot of reason to blame La Russa for the White Sox underachievement, but he’s been working with a limited roster all season. The injury bug hit before Opening Day, shelving starter Lance Lynn, who finished 3rd in the 2021 Cy Young voting. Top reliever Garrett Crochet followed Lynn to the injured list, out for the season following Tommy John surgery. The regular season has been even worse. Outfielder Eloy Jiménez missed significant time after tearing his hamstring in April. All-Star starting shortstop Tim Anderson is out approximately six weeks following hand surgery. His top backup, utility infielder Danny Mendick is out for the season after tearing his ACL. Centerfielder Luis Robert remains out with a sprained wrist. Not to mention trips to the injured list for Yoan Moncada, Yasmani Grandal, Andrew Vaughn, Lucas Giolito, and Liam Henricks.

La Russa Continues to Get In His Own Way

For a team with so many injuries, the last thing they needed was questionable managing from Hall of Famer Tony La Russa.  Unfortunately for the Southsiders, that’s exactly what they got. Hopefully Monday’s assist from one White Sox fan will be the wake up call that manager Tony La Russa desperately needs.