It is not unusual for fans to give their opinion on what they think managers and coaches should do during matches. However, not many actually get the ear of one. Well, one White Sox fan probably did. He yelled from a seat near home plate during Chicago’s game Monday against the Astros and, coincidentally, Tony La Russa made the move the fan was begging him to make.
When Eloy Jimenez hit a two-run double in the eighth inning that tied the game, the coaching staff was trying to decide whether to hold him for a potential at-bat later, or ask Adam Engel to run for him.
Noah Weinstein, a self-described “hardcore fan” was in the stands near the dugout and loudly suggested that Engel run. Shortly after his suggestion, La Russa executed the same plan. Weinstein’s son caught the moment on video.
The White Sox went on to defeat the Astros 4-2 that night.
The possibility of La Russa being able to hear the fan in a loud stadium is debatable, but the manager got a chuckle out of the situation. The next day during a media availability, he dismissed the speculation.
“Make his day, tell him I heard him,” La Russa said.
In a radio interview, Weinstein said Monday was the first White Sox game he has attended this season. He admitted he’s not a big La Russa fan right now and has been disappointed with the team’s offense. However, the fan takes baseball seriously and wants to do whatever he can to help his favorite team win.
“It was a business trip for me,” Weinstein said. “I’m not going out there to have fun. I want to win. These are tough times and I have to try to make my voice heard, and that’s what I did. When I had to make that statement, that was what I did.”
Weinstein was also in attendance Tuesday as the White Sox won 4-3, improving to a 61-56 overall record. The teams will meet again on Wednesday at 20:10 and Thursday at 14:10.
