Chicago White Sox prove where the problem was

The Chicago White Sox have suddenly begun to live up to their potential.

There have been injuries. Players have not performed as expected. Questionable decisions compounded their myriad of issues this season, leaving the White Sox as one of the most disappointing teams in the league. That is, until two weeks ago.

Chicago White Sox finally living up to potential

Everything changed once Miguel Cairo took over from Tony La Russa as the White Sox manager. While his managerial debut has come due to unfortunate circumstances, the team has clearly responded. They have gone 9-3 entering Tuesday, climbing to second in the division and just three games behind the Guardians. Suddenly, the White Sox look like the dangerous team they were supposed to be.

And it all starts in the clubhouse and dugout. Numerous players mentioned to Bob Nightengale of USA Today that Cairo seized everyone’s attention with his fiery speech on his first day on the job. At the same time, he is just being himself, something that is helping the players relax. That may be the biggest difference – that players did not have that fire and that there is such a different feel in the dugout.

Yes, there are other circumstances. The White Sox are getting healthy while the Twins have been hammered by injuries. Their talent level is finally coming through in terms of their performance. But the biggest change has come in the dugout where the players are finally able to relax and be themselves.

La Russa has been a great manager over the decades. He is in the Hall of Fame for a reason, ranking second all time on the managerial wins list and has taken home three World Series titles. It was also clear that the White Sox needed a different voice if they were going to live up to their potential. That has been clear as they have responded to Cairo.

The Chicago White Sox are showing what they are capable of. All it took was a different voice in the dugout to get them to live up to their potential.