Imagine the ultimate chapter of “Gulliver’s Travels” with out Gulliver or the final episode of “The Sopranos” with out Tony Soprano.
If the protagonist disappeared earlier than the ending, it wouldn’t be the identical story.
That’s why the Chicago White Sox want supervisor Tony La Russa again within the dugout for the top of this journey that has included extra ups and downs, extra ridiculous drama and extra fan angst than any season in current reminiscence.
No matter the way it ends, we’d like La Russa to be there when it occurs.
Tuesday marked every week for the reason that Sox introduced La Russa would miss that night time’s sport for undisclosed well being causes. He took an indefinite depart of absence the subsequent day, flying to Phoenix for medical exams, reportedly for a heart-related problem.
Hours earlier than Tuesday night time’s sport in Seattle, there was no phrase from the Sox on La Russa’s well being standing or any indication of when he would return. Only 4 weeks stay within the common season, and each sport is extra essential than the final for the Sox.
While La Russa’s standing is unknown, we do have up to date info on the state of the Sox, primarily based on eyewitness accounts of their sudden re-emergence as a viable playoff contender in baseball’s worst division, the American League Central.
The Sox had received 5 of their final six video games getting into Tuesday below appearing supervisor Miguel Cairo, transferring two video games behind the first-place Cleveland Guardians and one behind the Minnesota Twins.
Leading indicators counsel the Sox have discovered their mojo after 5 months of mediocrity.
Shortstop Elvis Andrus, whose two-run house run paced Monday’s 3-2 win in opposition to the Mariners, mentioned he discovered a “tense” ambiance the week he arrived from Oakland in mid-August.
“Everybody is a lot more relaxed,” Andrus advised reporters. “Everybody just goes out there and is having fun and lets things happen.”
The pitching employees had a 1.83 ERA in these six video games. Dylan Cease got here inside one out of throwing a no-hitter in a shutout Saturday in opposition to the Twins. Lance Lynn has allowed one earned run in 14 innings over his final two begins. Michael Kopech is on his method again from the injured listing, and Johnny Cueto has been a rock since day one.
The Sox cranked out 13 house runs within the first seven video games since La Russa’s departure. They hit 10 homers of their earlier 18 video games. Tim Anderson, their finest hitter and undisputed chief, is anticipated again for the ultimate stretch. All programs are “go.”
The gamers additionally confirmed some togetherness Friday throughout a bench-clearing incident within the ninth inning in opposition to the Twins, with Lynn taking part in the function of John Belushi’s Bluto in “Animal House.” The beefy pitcher fastidiously climbed over the dugout rail to guide a cost to the mound after Andrew Vaughn was hit by a pitch that everybody within the ballpark knew was unintentional.
No matter. As Otter mentioned to his fraternity brothers within the movie: “This situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.”
“And we’re just the guys to do it,” Bluto bellowed.
Hijinks ensued.
While any resemblance between Lynn and Bluto is only coincidental, somebody most likely needed to begin one thing for no good purpose. Who is aware of whether or not the Charge of the Lance Brigade was the futile and silly gesture the Sox wanted?
Remember, it was again in early July that NBC Sports Chicago analyst Frank Thomas mentioned the Sox clubhouse was too relaxed, declaring after a loss it was “time for some snappage.” Better late than by no means.
Cairo has earned excessive marks in his first week for being the antithesis of La Russaism. He used reliever Joe Kelly as an opener in a single sport and known as for Leury García to try a squeeze bunt when a sacrifice fly was warranted in one other. Neither determination labored out, however it’s the thought that counts.
Moving Andrus to the leadoff spot Monday labored to perfection, and the veteran shortstop is hitting .367 with three house runs with Cairo as his supervisor.
How a lot authority Cairo has is unknown. General supervisor Rick Hahn and pitching coach Ethan Katz little question had their fingerprints on utilizing Kelly as an opener. Cairo additionally continues to speak to La Russa each day, each within the morning and after video games.
“Because I want to learn,” he advised reporters Monday in Seattle. “I ask questions.”
Don’t change what’s working is an adage older than La Russa, and plenty of Sox followers need Cairo to see this factor by to the top. Certainly the Sox have appeared higher since La Russa’s departure, however they’ve had one-week stretches like this and normally adopted them up with a nasty one. That’s why they’re mainly a .500 staff, contending in a division with two different .500ish groups.
If La Russa doesn’t really feel sturdy sufficient or is so superstitious he would let Cairo hold managing in the course of the sizzling stretch even when he’s wholesome sufficient to return, then by all means let the wild rumpus proceed with out the person Cairo known as “El Jefe.”
But I’m hoping La Russa comes again quickly, wholesome and refocused. I don’t agree with a few of his decision-making or with telling his gamers to not run laborious to keep away from accidents. His defensive responses to legitimate questions after losses are pointless, and his perception that the overwhelming majority of the baseball world agrees along with his technique of issuing intentional walks with a 1-2 rely defies logic.
For higher or worse, I’d wish to see how this insanely fascinating storyline performs out. A 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 28 at Guaranteed Rate Field will not be the best way La Russa’s season ought to finish.
There are solely two becoming finales for the 2022 season: Either the Sox full this comeback and see how they fare within the playoffs, or they fail to get in whereas Hahn and La Russa face the music for an underachieving season.
It’s establishing because the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com