Pedro Grifol | |||||||||||||||
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![]() Grifol with the Chicago White Sox in 2023 | |||||||||||||||
Catcher / Coach / Manager | |||||||||||||||
Born: Miami, Florida, U.S. | November 28, 1969|||||||||||||||
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |||||||||||||||
MLB statistics (through August 8, 2024) | |||||||||||||||
Managerial record | 89–190 | ||||||||||||||
Winning % | .319 | ||||||||||||||
Teams | |||||||||||||||
As manager
As coach | |||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Pedro Orlando Grifol (born November 28, 1969) is an American former professional baseball catcher and coach. He is the former manager for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He also served as a coach for the Kansas City Royals of MLB.
Playing career
[edit]Grifol attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, where he was the Florida high school baseball player of the year in 1988. He attended Florida State University, where he played college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles baseball team. With the Seminoles, Grifol participated in the 1989 and 1991 College World Series. He was named an All-American in 1991.[1] In 1990 and 1991, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star in 1990.[2][3]
The Minnesota Twins selected Grifol in the sixth round of the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He played in the minor leagues for the Twins and New York Mets organizations from 1991 to 1999. He worked for the Seattle Mariners as their director of minor league operations.[5]
Coaching career
[edit]Kansas City Royals
[edit]Grifol joined the Kansas City Royals organization in 2013 as a minor league coach. He was promoted to the major league staff in May 2013 as an assistant hitting coach.[6] He was moved to be a catching instructor in 2014. In 2015, the Royals won the World Series, their first World Series in 30 years. For the 2020 season, Grifol was named as the Royals bench coach.[7]
Chicago White Sox
[edit]On November 1, 2022, Grifol was hired by the Chicago White Sox to be their 42nd manager.[8] Keynan Middleton criticized the White Sox for having "no rules" after he was traded during the 2023 season.[9] Following a 21-game losing streak, the White Sox fired Grifol on August 8, 2024, after posting a record of 89–190 over two seasons.[10][11]
Managerial record
[edit]- As of games played on August 7, 2024
Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
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Games | Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
CWS | 2023 | 162 | 61 | 101 | .377 | 4th in AL Central | – | – | – | |
CWS | 2024 | 117 | 28 | 89 | .239 | Fired | – | – | – | |
Total | 279 | 89 | 190 | .319 | – |
Personal life
[edit]Grifol was born in Miami, Florida, the son of two Cuban immigrants.[12] He and his wife, Ali, have three daughters: Lauren, Amanda, and Camila.[13][14]
References
[edit]- ^ Release Kansas City Royals (Posted by Amanda Lanum). "George Brett, Pedro Grifol Assume Coaching Roles With Royals". wibw.com. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
- ^ "Cape League Baseball". The Cape Codder. Orleans, MA. July 20, 1990. p. 34.
- ^ "Brewster Whitecaps". The Cape Codder. Orleans, MA. June 18, 1991. p. 17.
- ^ "6th Round of the 1991 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ "Pedro Grifol talks about the Mariner minor-leaguers".
- ^ "Royals make coaching changes". MLB.com. May 30, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ "Royals announce 2020 coaching staff". Hutch Post. December 6, 2019.
- ^ Merkin, Scott (November 3, 2022). "White Sox name Pedro Grifol as manager". MLB.com. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ "'No rules': Ex-White Sox pitcher rips club's culture". ESPN.com. August 7, 2023.
- ^ Merkin, Scott (August 8, 2024). "White Sox dismiss Grifol; search underway for new manager". MLB.com. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Pope, Lamond (August 8, 2024). "Chicago White Sox fire manager Pedro Grifol, who had an 89-190 record: 'We expect better, we need better'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Pedro Grifol: “I have a lot of faith in God and he put me here for a reason.”
- ^ Kegel, Dick (July 26, 2013). "'Good learner' Grifol takes over as hitting coach". MLB.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ Grifol has father to thank for giving him tools to succeed
External links
[edit]- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)