Ex-White Sox player has concerning comments about team's culture

Former Chicago White Sox reliever Keynan Middleton had some very concerning comments about his former team’s culture.

Middleton, who was traded from the White Sox to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline, said his former organization was plagued by a “no rules” culture that even involved one relief pitcher sleeping in the bullpen during games.

“We came in with no rules,” Middleton said, via Jesse Rogers of ESPN. “I don’t know how you police the culture if there are no rules or guidelines to follow because everyone is doing their own thing. Like, how do you say anything about it because there are no rules?

“You have rookies sleeping in the bullpen during the game. You have guys missing meetings. You have guys missing PFPs (pitcher fielding practices), and there are no consequences for any of this stuff.”

Rogers reported that multiple sources confirmed Middleton’s account, adding that a pitcher missed fielding practice and was seen napping during games. The White Sox declined comment.

The White Sox won 93 games and a division title in 2021, but it has been all downhill since. Internal issues seem to have played a big role. Last season, reports suggested that the White Sox clubhouse suffered from a lack of leadership and urgency. If what Middleton is saying is true about blatant lack of discipline, things seem to have only gotten worse under first-year manager Pedro Grifol.

The White Sox enter play Monday with a 45-68 record despite playing in baseball’s worst division. Things did not exactly get better for them over the weekend, when Tim Anderson got knocked down in a fight with Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians.