text: La Russa-led White Sox make another early October exit | KLRT - FOX16.com
  Posted: Oct 12, 2021 / 08:49 PM CDT / Updated: Oct 12, 2021 / 07:53 PM CDT
  CHICAGO (AP)The Chicago White Sox had their sights set on advancing in the playoffs after running away with the AL Central.
  "I'm not gonna talk about myself," he said. "The process I've used once I had a little security – probably about the fifth or sixth year – is `do they want you back?' I just leave if they don't want you back. They say yes, then you ask the players. They should choose who they want to manage. If you get both of those, then you check yourself."
  La Russa had a public disagreement with a couple of his players after he scolded Yermin Mercedes for homering on a 3-0 pitch during the ninth inning of a 16-4 victory over Minnesota in May. But the White Sox looked like a contender all year, boasting a top-notch lineup and pitching staff.
  Along the way, La Russa moved past John McGraw into second place on baseball's all-time wins list behind Connie Mack. And Game 4 starter Carlos Rodon called him a "very special manager."
  Rodon, who exited in the third inning, described the season as "a fun ride." It just didn't end the way Chicago wanted.
  "It's a learning experience for all of us," said rookie Gavin Sheets, who homered and doubled. "We got a big taste of what it's like to play at home in the playoffs. I don't think anybody's gonna forget today and Sunday night, just what it was like – the crowd, the `blackout,' the support. That burns a fire. That makes you want to do it again, with a different outcome."
  The White Sox were banking on Rodon to help send the series back to Houston for a decisive fifth game. The left-hander – limited down the stretch by an achy shoulder – brought the heat early on, only to fizzle quickly.
  Rodon gave up a double to Jose Altuve on the game's first pitch, then seemed to settle in. He retired the next three batters, striking out Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez on 99 mph fastballs to end the threat.
  Rodon pitched around a leadoff single by Carlos Correa in the second. But he hit Altuve in the third, one of the few times the crowd of 40,170 cheered during the game, and issued back-to-back walks to Bregman and Alvarez to load the bases with two out.
  Correa then chased Rodon with a two-run double to put Houston on top 2-1, and the White Sox never really recovered.
  It was a rough end for Chicago after going 93-69 and beating Cleveland by 13 games in the division. The White Sox finished with their highest win total since the 2005 World Series championship team went 99-63, even though key players such as Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez missed time with injuries.
  Rodon made his first All-Star team and set a career high in wins, going 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA. He threw just 28 innings over the final two months of the regular season.
  Rodon, who has a history of arm and shoulder injuries, is staring at an uncertain future. He has an expiring contract, meaning he might have walked off the mound for the final time in a White Sox uniform.
  "It was definitely a special moment," he said. "It's been an interesting road for me. Just to have the opportunity to pitch an important game, it meant a lot. So thank you, White Sox fans. And thank you to the organization."