Manager Pedro Grifol on White Sox slump: ‘I didn’t anticipate it being like this’

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol argues with umpire Mike Estabrook at a game in Pittsburgh on April 8. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

TORONTO — These are tough times for all involved with the White Sox, from the front office to the players. Then there’s Pedro Grifol, who won general manager Rick Hahn over during the offseason hiring process for a new manager.

Grifol, a 52-year-old baseball lifer, realized his lifelong dream and was named the White Sox’ 42nd field boss on Nov. 3. The icing on the cake, Grifol said in spring training, was that he was handed the reins to lead a talented team expected to contend for the postseason.