Ken Williams and Rick Hahn have been collectively when the Chicago White Sox reached baseball’s pinnacle, profitable the 2005 World Series.
Williams was the overall supervisor on the time and Hahn the assistant GM. In October 2012, Williams turned the manager vp with Hahn promoted to GM.
The Sox went by a rebuild after the 2016 season within the hopes of that final success once more. It didn’t pan out that method, with the crew in a free-fall this season. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf fired Williams and Hahn on Tuesday.
Both launched statements late Tuesday, reflecting on their lengthy tenures within the group.
“Rick Hahn, my friend,” Williams mentioned in a part of his assertion. “We didn’t accomplish what we got down to do, however I wouldn’t have needed to do it with anybody apart from him. He is without doubt one of the smartest folks I do know and I’m assured, if given the prospect, I’ll see him attain the top of success.
“We managed to always find a laugh even in the darkest of times, and I will always cherish our time together.”
Williams didn’t plan on releasing an announcement, saying “I’m not really a ‘Statement’ kind of guy,” however he felt compelled after receiving many messages, including “I never knew so many people had my number.”
“I thank Jerry Reinsdorf for the opportunity he gave me to head baseball operations and will forever be proud of the World Series championship we all celebrated together,” Williams mentioned. “At my inaugural (information convention), I spoke of profitable a number of championships. That was my objective, our objective, and we failed. I’m a backside line man, and the underside line is we didn’t get it finished. This is what occurs because of this.
“There is a lot of talent on this club, and I wish the players, (manager) Pedro (Grifol) and the coaching staff the best in reaching their goals. I believe they will rebound and give the baseball world a great 2024 campaign.”
Williams joined the entrance workplace in 1992 as a scout. The Sox reached the postseason 5 instances total throughout his tenure as director of minor-league operations (1995-96), vp of participant improvement (1997-2000), GM (2001-12) and govt vp.
“To my former players and staff who have reached out since the announcement, I cannot tell you how much those texts and sentiments mean to me,” he mentioned. “I do know that not everybody has heat and fuzzy emotions about me, however I attempted to be sincere and truthful with everybody at each flip. At instances, admittedly, perhaps slightly too direct.
“Sometimes I hit the mark and sometimes I missed the mark on my messaging, but there wasn’t a player who walked through our doors I didn’t care about or wished the best in his baseball career and family life.”
Hahn mentioned in an announcement he’ll “forever be indebted” to Reinsdorf and Williams “for giving me the opportunity almost 23 years ago to realize my dream of working for a major league team.”
“Their faith, support and mentoring allowed me to grow both as an executive and as a person while with the White Sox, and I look forward to our continued friendship for many years to come,” Hahn mentioned.
“Additionally, I cannot thank enough the gifted coaches, scouts, analysts, sports performance professionals, and front office staff for their tireless work and dedication to the club. Because of them, I firmly believe that many vital ingredients of a championship team are in that clubhouse and within the minor-league system.”
Hahn joined the group in October 2000 as assistant GM. During his stint because the GM, the Sox made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (2020-21) for the primary time in franchise historical past.
“I will be rooting for the Sox to win that next championship soon — as loyal White Sox fans deserve nothing less,” Hahn mentioned.
In the discharge asserting the modifications, Reinsdorf thanked Williams and Hahn for “for all they have done for the Chicago White Sox.”
Williams mentioned of Reinsdorf: “I lived our World Series victory through his eyes and emotions. We’ve shared many of life’s triumphs and tragedies and as I told him when he gave me the news of his decision, nothing changes with us. I will be there for him as I always have been and respect his decision to look for a new voice to lead the organization. He deserved better.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com