The White Sox are filling out their coaching staff with the hires of Grady Sizemore as outfield and baserunning coach and Marcus Thames as hitting coach, according to multiple reports.
Sizemore, 41, played 10 seasons in the majors starting in 2004 with the Cleveland Guardians. His early years were most successful, with a streak of four consecutive seasons earning AL MVP votes, earning three All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger during that span.
Injuries interrupted the later years of his career. Sizemore was out of baseball for all of 2012 and 2013 but returned to play for the Boston Red Sox (2014), Philadelphia Phillies (2014-2015) and Tampa Bay Rays (2015) before hanging up the cleats for good in 2015.
He became an advisor in the Cleveland Guardians’ player development department in 2017 but this will be the first on-field role for Sizemore since his playing days.
Sizemore is taking positions that were not filled with dedicated staff last season.
Thames, meanwhile, is replacing Jose Castro who was fired after one season on the White Sox coaching staff. This will be the fourth team Thames has been hitting coach for in as many years. Most recently, Thames spent the 2023 season as the Angels’ hitting coach.
Thames, 46, had a playing career that spanned 640 games with the New York Yankees (2002, 2010), Texas Rangers (2003), Detroit Tigers (2004-2009) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2011). He hit 115 home runs and batted .246/.309/.485.
The hires continue a trend of big moves off the field for the White Sox this year. Longtime general manager Rick Hahm and executive vice president Kenny Williams were let go over the summer, and assistant GM Chris Getz was promoted to their positions.
The White Sox previously added Matt Wise as their new bullpen coach, according to multiple reports in recent weeks. The full coaching staff is expected to be announced this week, according to 670thescore.com.
–Field Level Media
