Chicago White Sox scouting director Mike Shirley has reportedly resigned following an investigation into allegations of verbal harassment.
Shirley was one of the people responsible for turning the White Sox around, drafting players like Garrett Crochet, Colson Montgomery, Hagen Smith, Caleb Bonemer, and Roch Cholowsky.
According to reports, the White Sox placed Mike Shirley on administrative leave after receiving anonymous information about his behavior during the Area Code Games, a showcase for high school baseball players, in Long Beach, California, last month. He was accused of making sexist and racist remarks in front of coworkers as well as about them.
Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Athletic that the White Sox human resources department began looking into Shirley’s alleged behavior shortly after receiving the complaint. This investigation included speaking with members of the amateur scouting department. Allegations of derogatory remarks regarding women and their bodies were also reportedly part of the probe.
This was not the first investigation into the White Sox scouting director
Mike Shirley’s behavior had already prompted a previous internal investigation, according to The Athletic. A former employee who quit the club in 2022 alleged negative behavior toward scouts from underrepresented groups, prompting an investigation. Major League Baseball received the tip and forwarded it to the Chicago White Sox. An investigation reportedly found no bias in his hiring procedures or conduct.
Additionally, several employees in an anonymous department poll conducted before the 2021 season and obtained by The Athletic said they believed scouts from underrepresented groups were not treated equitably and were not given the same opportunities to advance as their counterparts under Shirley.
A team representative confirmed Shirley’s resignation on Saturday. Shirley did not answer the outlet’s calls or texts. The White Sox did not provide further comment, nor did they make the investigation’s status or findings public. White Sox General Manager Chris Getz, who ran the team’s minor league operations and player development systems from 2017 to 2023, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.