The White Sox have fired executive vice president Ken Williams, as well as senior vice president/general manager Rick Hahn, effective immediately, the team announced in a release Tuesday.
“This is an incredibly difficult decision for me to make because they are both talented individuals with long-term relationships at the White Sox,” chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “Ken is like a son to me, and I will always consider him a member of my family. I want to personally thank Ken and Rick for all they have done for the Chicago White Sox, winning the 2005 World Series and reaching the postseason multiple times during their tenures. I have nothing but the greatest respect for them as people and appreciate the commitment and passion for the White Sox they exhibited over the years.
“Ultimately, the well-worn cliche that professional sports is results-oriented is correct. While we have enjoyed successes as an organization and were optimistic heading into the competitive window of this rebuild, this year has proven to be very disappointing for us all on many levels. This has led me to the conclusion that the best decision for the organization moving forward is to make a change in our baseball department leadership.”
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 22, 2023
Hahn served as the White Sox general manager since 2012, but he has not found the success he enjoyed when he served as the team’s assistant general manager (2000 to ‘12) under Williams, helping the franchise win the 2005 World Series. Since Hahn was promoted to general manager in Oct. 2012, the AL Central club has failed to live up to expectations despite a talented roster.
Williams, who served as the club’s general manager for 12 seasons until 2012, was in his 11th season in the role of executive vice president.
Despite the shake-up in the front office, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that White Sox manager Pedro Grifol’s job is currently safe and that he is expected to return in 2024.
Chicago, amid a disappointing 2023 campaign, hosts Seattle later tonight with a 49–76 record.
