Andrew Benintendi defends White Sox culture amid Keynan Middleton’s slams

It’s been a busy week for the Yankees and White Sox.

Chicago took two of three from New York earlier this week at Assured Fee Area.

Then the White Sox took former high pitching prospect Deivi Garcia off the Yankees’ arms Thursday by claiming the right-hander off waivers.

However don’t neglect how the week began: with Yankees reduction pitcher Keynan Middleton upsetting those on the South Side by blasting the tradition round his former group.

Now we will add Andrew Benintendi’s voice to the combination.

The left-fielder, who had a cup of espresso with the Yankees final season, left the Bronx over the winter by signing a five-year, $75 million contract with the White Sox.

Benintendi addressed his new membership’s tradition considerations Wednesday after beating the Yankees, 9-2.

The one-time All-Star admitted Chicago’s misplaced season (the White Sox are 47-69 getting into play Friday) is taking its toll on the clubhouse ambiance.

“It’s one thing you’re all the time engaged on. And the extra we speak about tradition — clearly, it’s one thing necessary,” Benintendi stated, in line with the Chicago Sun-Times.

“However I really feel like when you speak about it on a regular basis, it’s form of jammed down your throat, and it simply has to occur organically. And these subsequent two months, it’s one thing we will work on. It’s simply getting higher daily, getting nearer to one another. The final week or so, it’s been higher. It’s trending.”

Middleton sparked the disagreement on Sunday when he was asked about returning to Chicago on Monday.

“Exhibiting up was darkish in Chicago this yr,” Middleton stated concerning the fourth-place White Sox. “It wasn’t very a lot enjoyable more often than not. Simply to be right here in a unique setting, completely different ambiance, don’t have to fret concerning the BS.”

And that’s when issues started to get interesting.

In a conversation Sunday with ESPN, Middleton opened up concerning the issues with the White Sox.

“I don’t know the way you police the tradition if there aren’t any guidelines or tips to observe as a result of everyone seems to be doing their very own factor,” he stated. “Like, how do you say something about it as a result of there aren’t any guidelines?

“You may have rookies sleeping within the bullpen through the sport. You may have guys lacking conferences. You may have guys lacking PFPs (pitcher fielding practices), and there aren’t any penalties for any of these items.

“They are saying s— rolls downhill. I really feel like some guys don’t wish to communicate up when they need to have. It’s exhausting to police individuals when there aren’t any guidelines.”

Middleton doubled down on his opinion Monday.

“I stated what I stated and I stand on that,” Middleton stated. “I consider there’s a proper method to go about enterprise and do this. However I truthfully don’t wish to remark any extra on it. I stated what I stated and I actually really really feel that in my coronary heart. However proper now, my sole focus is being a Yankee and my future being a Yankee shifting ahead and making the playoffs.”

Cue White Sox administration, who decided to fight back.

“I’ve been speaking about tradition right here since day one and introduced it up once more about three or 4 weeks in the past,” White Sox supervisor Pedro Grifol stated, per ESPN. “I really feel like we’re not even near the place we must be, however we’re on track.”

“I used to be shocked to see the report this morning,” White Sox basic supervisor Rick Hahn stated. “At no level through the course of the yr had there been a reliever sleeping within the bullpen throughout that sport. That’s simply unsuitable.”

Middleton has made three appearances since being acquired by the Yankees forward of the Aug. 1 commerce deadline, posting a 1.80 ERA.

As for Benintendi, he’s struggling in his first season with the White Sox, hitting .272 with simply two dwelling runs in 108 video games.

The Yankees acquired the Gold Glove Award winner forward of the 2022 commerce deadline in a take care of the Kansas Metropolis Royals.

Benintendi performed in 33 regular-season video games with New York, hitting .254 earlier than taking place with a damaged wrist which compelled him to overlook the playoffs.