The cast of the 1989 White Sox is beginning to take shape in the last weeks of the season with final-act auditions for young players.
But the most dramatic plot development centers on the uncertain fate of manager Jim Fregosi. It is widely rumored that he will exit the Chicago stage before the curtain rises on another baseball season.
The 47-year-old Fregosi, suffering through a disappointing season, has heard the mounting speculation that he will be fired by General Manager Larry Himes soon after the season concludes on Oct. 2.
Himes has declined to discuss the matter with reporters, while Fregosi has addressed the reports of his imminent demise with practiced black humor and an official posture of detachment.
”I really don`t know what they`re going to do,” said Fregosi, whose contract runs through the 1989 season and is to come up for an additional year`s renewal in early November.
Fregosi, whose team`s dreams for a .500 season were dashed in good measure by key injuries to Carlton Fisk, Greg Walker and Ivan Calderon, has yet to lead the Sox to that level in his nearly three years as field boss.
But many baseball observers, pointing to the Sox`s efforts to rebuild their minor-league system and trim salaries, absolve the manager of full blame for the lackluster showing.
But the on-field performance may have less to do with Fregosi`s future than the manager`s off-the-field relationship with Himes, which is as cool as a Lake Michigan wind in January.
”There is no real communication between them,” said one Sox front-office official. ”They are both very proud and stubborn guys. But the bottom line is that the manager is not consulted on trades, and that has created some serious tension.”
Fregosi was hired to run the Sox in June, 1986, by Ken ”Hawk”
Harrelson, who was replaced in the general manager`s office by Himes at the end of that year.
”It`s been difficult for Larry and Jim to mesh,” said Sox veteran catcher Carlton Fisk. ”They have different philosophies and styles. Himes`
background is in the minor leagues, and Fregosi is trying to win on the big-league level without many horses.”
Himes may well be eager to dismiss Fregosi after an uneasy two-year working relationship, but the decision is not his alone. He must persuade Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and President Eddie Einhorn that a change in the dugout could catapult the 1989 team out of the second-division in the American League West.
If Fregosi is fired, he may end up back with the California Angels, where he began his managerial career, or with the Philadelphia Phillies, whose general manager, Lee Thomas, is a close friend of the man who still has at least 10 games left as the Sox`s skipper.
– Steve Lyons, who already has played seven positions this season, would like to play all nine defensive positions in a single game during the team`s final homestand.
The versatile Lyons was foiled in an attempt to play all nine spots in the field during a preseason exhibition game that was rained out.
But now that the season is nearly over, Lyons has implored Fregosi to allow him to try the rare stunt ”in a game that counts in the standings.”
Lyons has played every position this year except left field and shortstop. He pitched in extra-innings in the Cubs-Sox Windy City Classic exhibition in May.
The feat was last accomplished in the majors by Cesar Tovar of the Twins in 1968.
The Sox begin their last 1988 homestand Friday with the first of three weekend games with the Kansas City Royals. The Texas Rangers visit Comiskey Park for three more games early next week, before the Sox end the season with a four-game stand in Kansas City.
