When the prisoners run the asylum, chaos is inevitable, and the 2024 White Sox were living proof. What unfolded during that dreadful season wasn’t just a slump, but a full-scale collapse. The kind you hadn’t seen in more than six decades. But while the fans were baffled, the warning signs had long been visible to those inside the clubhouse. Now, a former Yankees star has come forward to shed light on what truly shaped the White Sox.

Clint Frazier, the slugger known for his stints with both the Yankees and White Sox, revealed alarming details about the team’s internal culture. In his telling, it was a breakdown of discipline and leadership. According to Frazier, things got so out of hand that a player could openly threaten the manager and face zero consequences.

Yes, you heard that right. We are talking about a major league club here!

“This guy looked back at the manager and was basically like, If you take me out of this game, we’re gonna have a serious problem. [Grifol] was like, Are you threatening me? And he goes, Take me out of this game, and we’re gonna have a serious problem. And like, this guy did not come out of the game. I was like, Holy– this guy, he just threatened the manager! And he stayed in the game and was in the lineup every day moving forward,” Frazier said in a podcast with Foul Territory.

While it sounds like a street fight scene, it was the White Sox’s clubhouse in real!

In the podcast, the ex-Yankees star recalled what it was like in the White Sox clubhouse. He detailed how one player, despite not hustling, took a fight with the manager. Then White Sox manager Pedro Grifol didn’t let it slide. He approached the player and warned him directly: if that kind of hustle didn’t improve, he’d be pulled from the game.

The message was clear, but what followed said even more about the culture surrounding the team.

So, does he prefer the regimented clubhouse culture of the Yankees more than the chaotic White Sox? Surprise folks! Frazier picked the White Sox.

“White Sox all day, dude.”

Well, it was not a seamless journey for Frazier with the Yankees. Despite being touted as one of the greatest talents coming out, he faced injuries in the later stages and difficulties in getting enough playing time. The initial hype around him eventually faded, resulting in a tumultuous exit in 2021.

The Yankees’ culture speaks for itself

What’s behind the success of the most successful team in MLB? Their winning culture.

Yes, it’s regimented, it’s tight and strict, but that serves the purpose.

The Yankees’ clubhouse has long been synonymous with a winning culture. One shaped by tradition, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence. From the moment players walk through the doors, players are made aware of an unspoken standard. Nothing less than a win. What’s more is that the Yankees’ culture is driven by icons and veterans.

Imagine a young prospect getting groomed by Derek Jeter! That sums up the culture of the Yankees spreading across generations.

“The thing that impresses me the most is how the Yankees present themselves. The culture that they have. It’s a presence unlike anybody else. It must be the pinstripes.” The Yankees’ winning culture even made the arch-rival Red Sox’s veteran Pedro Martinez praise them.

Now, the environment that is characterized by a deep-rooted history of success and a strong emphasis on tradition and discipline is tough at times. Even the Yankees’ clubhouse environment may look old-school. But according to many former and current players, it pushes everyone to be better.

So, it’s not always easy, but it’s designed to build champions. If the culture can bring a record 27 World Series, there’s nothing wrong with it.