Tigers bench coach thankfully out of the running for White Sox manager job

A few names have been removed from the Chicago White Sox's managerial search, including one that should have Detroit Tigers fans breathing a sigh of relief.

The White Sox have been eyeing several potential candidates to replace manager Pedro Grifol, who was fired in August amid what would end up being an historically terrible, 121-loss season. One of those candidates was reportedly Tigers bench coach George Lombard, who had also interviewed for the manager position with the Pittsburgh Pirates that ultimately became Derek Shelton's in 2019, as well as the vacancy in Detroit that would ultimately be filled by AJ Hinch in 2020.

However, per a report Sunday from New York Post and MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, Lombard is no longer a candidate. Thankfully, it looks like the Tigers will not have to worry about losing their bench coach to a division rival anytime soon.

The list of known candidates still in the running for the White Sox position include interim manager Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Guardians bench coach Greg Albernaz, former Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, former Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin, Texas Rangers associate manager Will Venable, Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann, and St. Louis Cardinals bench coach Daniel Descalso.

Heyman reported later Sunday night that the White Sox were taking a "hard look" at Venable in particular but said there is still no word on how close they are to making an offer (if they make one at all).

Tigers' bench coach George Lombard no longer candidate for White Sox

The 49-year-old Lombard spent six years as a player with the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays, Washington Nationals, and Tigers. He has spent the last four years as the Tigers bench coach, helping Detroit reach the American League Division Series this season in their first playoff appearance in a decade.

Before his current stint with the Tigers, Lombard was with the Los Angeles Dodgers for five seasons as a first base coach. He helped Los Angeles win the World Series during the COVID-shortened 2020 season before departing for Detroit.

Just days after being named a "leading candidate" for the manager position with the White Sox, however, it appears that Lombard is no longer on their short list. Instead, he'll return to Detroit and look to help the Tigers build on their success from the magical 2024 season.

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