GLENDALE, Ariz. — World Series talk is now the norm for the White Sox.
Hitting coach Frank Menechino said “World Series or bust” in December.
Right-hander Lucas Giolito said, “We want to win a ring. We want to win a World Series” the day before spring training officially opened.
And on the day that it did, general manager Rick Hahn joined in.
“As we sit here today, the goal is to win a World Series championship,” general Hahn said Wednesday. “So if we fall short of that, it would be a disappointment.”
So there you go. Players, coaches and front office are all in. Hahn even talked of winning multiple championships Wednesday, a phrase he has used since the Sox rebuild began when he traded Chris Sale for prospects Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech in 2016.
It’s big talk for a franchise that won it all in 2005 but has been to the postseason twice since then.
“We’re obviously living in a unique world right now, and if we were to fall short of that goal, we’d certainly want to look back and try to figure out why, what factors influenced us falling short,” Hahn said. “But of all days, especially on the first day of camp — not to mention what we’ve all been through for the last several years preparing to get to this point — I think having championship aspirations is to be expected and, to a man, what people want.”
No argument there.
At the very least, we know where the White Sox stand and what the expectation is.
Newly hired manager Tony La Russa has achieved it three times in his career. La Russa has been less effusive, only going as far as saying the goal is to get to October.
He said he sees a team with good pitching, hitting and defense.
“I’m a great believer that the mind can be so strong and a big advantage we have here is the team, after the rebuilding losses, they won last year so they tasted the wins, they got to October and they have a very tight family chemistry here,” La Russa said Wednesday. “So if we get our minds right we can take a really good shot at being a team that qualifies for a top October.
“I really believe we’re strong enough not just on the field but in our minds and hearts – it sounds a little corny but I really believe that. When we ramp it up mentally we’re strong enough to play as good as our talent is.”
