CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 28: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the Chicago White Sox reacts at the end of the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 28, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert is in a bigger hustle to make excuses than to get to first base.
An ugly year for the Chicago White Sox is getting even more unattractive with Luis Robert failing to hustle on a potential infield single on Saturday.
He was benched immediately after and we can see exactly why.
In case you didn’t notice, this was the first pitch of the game against the White Sox in the bottom of the first. Already, Robert is taking it easy.
A guy many have believed was well on his way to becoming one of the best young outfielders in the game is batting just .213/.248/.407 in 114 plate appearances for the 7-21 White Sox. Rather than apologize and admit his mistake, Robert came with an excuse not nearly good enough.
Lollygagging Luis Robert is one of many problems with the White Sox right now
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol is in a messy situation. If Robert’s lame defense has any truth to it, this is a ball club headed for an even bigger disaster in 2023. A tight hamstring isn’t something to toy with especially during a losing streak that has now extended to ten games. If Grifol wasn’t already sporting a smooth bald head, this year’s team would cause him to tear out the last strands.
What we’ve got here is more than a failure to communicate. The arrogance of Robert to think he could get away without hustling shows a lack of urgency on his behalf. If the team’s leadoff hitter doesn’t even care about winning, what kind of message does it send to the fans?
Robert is hardly alone when it comes to playing badly. Andrew Benintendi is the only healthy regular batting over .250 at .281. He has yet to hit a home run and has driven in just 5 runs.
The pitching hasn’t been pretty either. Lance Lynn and Michael Kopech have ERAs over 7.00. Everyone in the bullpen not named Gregory Santos is getting beaten up on a regular basis, too.
Robert’s lack of hustling and bad excuse for it could’ve been a positive moment for the White Sox to help turn their season around. If he had taken ownership, it would’ve been a huge step forward to showing his teammates and the fans they should have faith in him. Instead, this is just the latest tick against him and the franchise. They’re playing in a winnable division. Moments like this will not win anyone over.
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