We have seen their fortunes spiral downward over the past two decades. From 2006 to 2024, both teams have faced consistent failures, misguided decisions, and significant fan frustration, thanks in large part to their respective owners, Jerry Reinsdorf and John Fisher.

While the White Sox are owning the worst record in MLB franchise history this year, the Athletics are heading out of town heading to play a number of seasons in Sacramento with their eyes to settle in Las Vegas as their new how after that.

Consider this story, the canary in the coal mine if your favorite MLB team ownership ever makes these types of decisions.

Since 2006, the White Sox have compiled an overall record of 1,373-1,511, for a win percentage of .476. Their performance during this time has been largely mediocre, with only fleeting moments of success. More troubling is the team’s 2024 campaign, which will likely result in the White Sox ending with the worst record in MLB history since 1901, a remarkable low point for a franchise that won the World Series just 19 years earlier.

Playoff Appearances
During this span, the White Sox have made only three playoff appearances:

Their combined playoff record since 2006 is 3-8, a sign of how far the franchise has fallen since their 2005 World Series championship.

Free-Agent Signings
Reinsdorf has shown reluctance to spend big on marquee free agents. Never once has he signed a Free Agent to a contract worth at least $100 million as even smaller market MLB franchise owners have. Then again, based on recent Free Agent signing decisions under Reinsdorf's ownership such as this examples, it's no wonder he's gun shy to do that.

On January 3, 2023 the White Sox gave their largest ever Free Agent deal to Andrew Benintendi for 5 years at $75M. Over the past two seasons he's batting under .250 with a WAR of -0.8. Ugly.

Reckless Ownership Decisions
The recent decision to promote Chris Getz to General Manager raised eyebrows across baseball. Reinsdorf’s rationale for hiring Getz from within the organization was puzzling, particularly after years of underperformance.

Reinsdorf justified the move with this comment:
"It became clear to me that he [Getz] would be one of the major candidates, alongside these other candidates. And then when I started thinking about the speed I owe the fans, I realized that if you bring in somebody from the outside, it's gonna take him a year, he's gonna have to evaluate everybody in the organization. So you'll lose a year. If I got a guy on the inside who can do the job, why not? Why not do it and save a year?"

This sentiment highlights Reinsdorf’s shortsightedness, prioritizing familiarity over potential long-term success. Fans and analysts alike were baffled by the decision, which seemed to suggest that the White Sox were willing to settle for mediocrity to avoid short-term disruption.

The hiring of Grady Sizemore as interim manager added to the confusion. The former MLB star had no previous coaching experience, a fact he himself admitted: "I never even thought about coaching," Sizemore said after being appointed, further emphasizing the organization’s lack of clear direction.

Franchise Decay
Reinsdorf’s White Sox have lagged behind in adopting modern approaches like advanced analytics, international scouting, and player development. The farm system has been underwhelming for years, and the franchise’s directionless front office decisions have created a cycle of mediocrity. The White Sox, once a proud franchise, are now facing the possibility of finishing with the worst record in modern MLB history—a disastrous outcome that demands new ownership.

That's a General Manager with no prior experience in that position without interviewing others, plus hiring a Manager with no prior experience, and to top it off placing an interim Manager who never even thought about coaching, let alone managing an MLB club.

And that's just in the past 2 seasons.

Just think, the White Sox could have had a starting pitching staff today including Chris Sale, Dylan Cease, Carlos Rodon, and Garrett Crochet. Sale looks to win the NL Cy Young award this season; Cease and Rodon are heading to the post season.

Chicago White Sox: Jerry Reinsdorf
Jerry Reinsdorf’s loyalty to outdated practices and personnel has kept the White Sox in a perpetual state of underachievement. His reluctance to make necessary changes and invest in elite talent has caused the team to flounder. With the worst record in MLB history potentially looming in 2024, it’s time for Reinsdorf to sell the team to an owner who can bring fresh ideas and a renewed commitment to winning.

Since John Fisher took full control of the Athletics in 2005, the team has been defined by its instability. Between 2006 and 2024, the A’s compiled a record of 1,399-1,489 (.484). While they’ve occasionally shown signs of life, recent years have seen the A’s field one of the worst teams in baseball, culminating in repeated 100-loss seasons and a complete loss of fan trust.

Playoff Appearances
​The A’s have made eight playoff appearances under Fisher, but the results have been disastrous:

Their only playoff series win came during the shortened 2020 season, leaving the A’s with an overall playoff record of 10-23.

Free-Agent Signings
​The Athletics have rarely ventured into free agency, focusing instead on "Moneyball" strategies. However, a few significant signings were made:

Franchise Decay
Fisher has systematically dismantled the Athletics through constant rebuilding and trading away of stars. From Josh Donaldson to Matt Olson, the A’s have repeatedly let their top talent go as soon as they became too expensive. The team’s lack of investment in players, coupled with the ongoing saga of trying to relocate to Las Vegas, has eroded the once-passionate Oakland fanbase. The result is a franchise that has been completely run into the ground, leaving Oakland fans with a bitter end to their beloved team.

Oakland Athletics: John Fisher
John Fisher’s ownership has led to one of the most tragic declines in MLB history. His refusal to spend on talent, repeated trades of stars, and botched attempts to relocate the team have turned the Athletics into a shell of their former selves. For the good of the team and the city of Oakland, Fisher should sell the franchise to an owner who cares about building a competitive team and engaging the fanbase.

The Need for New Ownership
Both the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics have seen their proud traditions and dedicated fanbases wither due to years of mismanagement and poor decision-making by their respective owners, Jerry Reinsdorf and John Fisher. Their unwillingness to adapt, invest in modern strategies, and commit to long-term success has not only hurt their teams on the field but also alienated their loyal supporters.

The White Sox, under Reinsdorf, have been bogged down by complacency and outdated practices. The appointment of internal candidates like Chris Getz without considering the broader scope of modern management reflects a franchise stuck in mediocrity. Reinsdorf’s resistance to making bold moves and his loyalty to underperforming staff have dragged the team into the depths of despair. With the White Sox on track to finish with the worst record in MLB history since 1901, it's evident that a new direction is desperately needed.

The Oakland Athletics, under John Fisher, have faced a different yet equally destructive fate. Fisher’s ownership has been marked by a refusal to spend on talent and a constant revolving door of top players traded away before they become too expensive. Coupled with the team's uncertainty over relocation and lack of investment in its fanbase, the Athletics have become a franchise in freefall. Their dwindling attendance and dismal performance are clear indicators that Fisher’s ownership has run its course.

In contrast, teams in similar-sized markets like the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers have thrived by investing wisely in talent, embracing analytics, and maintaining a competitive product on the field. These franchises serve as proof that, with the right ownership, success in a mid-sized market is possible.
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Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians have operated on a modest budget but have consistently fielded competitive teams. Through smart drafting, savvy trades, and a commitment to analytics, they’ve made seven playoff appearances since 2006, including a World Series appearance in 2016. The Guardians have managed to remain competitive while developing a strong farm system.

Milwaukee Brewers
Like the White Sox and Athletics, the Brewers operate in a mid-sized market, but under strong ownership, they’ve built a sustainable model. Since 2018, they’ve made five playoff appearances, including an NLCS run in 2018. The Brewers have invested in their roster, struck smart free-agent deals, and maintained a top-tier farm system.

It's time for both Reinsdorf and Fisher to acknowledge that their tenures have failed their respective teams. The best course of action would be to sell their franchises to owners who are willing to innovate, invest, and revive these once-great baseball clubs. Only then can the White Sox and Athletics return to prominence and give their fans the success they deserve.