Chicago White Sox's Eloy Jimenez celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off of Detroit Tigers' Edwin Jackson during the seventh inning of Game 1 of a baseball doubleheader, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
The Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago White Sox say hitting coach Todd Steverson will not return next season.
The team also announced Wednesday that assistant hitting coach Greg Sparks won’t be back. All other members of manager Rick Renteria’s staff were retained.
The White Sox went 72-89 for their seventh straight losing season. But there was progress.
Steverson, who held the job for six seasons, helped Tim Anderson bump his batting average 95 points to a major league-leading .335. Yoan Moncada went from a big league-high 217 strikeouts to 154 while hitting .315 with 25 homers and 79 RBIs. Rookie slugger Eloy Jimenez batted .267 with 31 homers and 79 RBIs.
Chicago finished eighth in the majors in batting average, but 24th in runs.
Sparks joined the White Sox in 2016.
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Chicago White Sox's Yoan Moncada (10) celebrates his ninth-inning home run against the Detroit Tigers in the second game of a baseball doubleheader, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
The Associated Press
Chicago White Sox's Eloy Jimenez, left, celebrates with Welington Castillo after hitting a solo home run off of Detroit Tigers' Edwin Jackson during the seventh inning of Game 1 of a baseball doubleheader, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
The Associated Press
Chicago White Sox's Jose Abreu (79) waves to fans as he leaves the baseball game against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
The Associated Press
Chicago White Sox's Danny Mendick watches his two-run home run off of Detroit Tigers' Edwin Jackson during the sixth inning of game one of a baseball doubleheader, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Chicago. Ryan Cordell scored on a play. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
The Associated Press
Chicago White Sox's Leury Garcia hits an RBI-single against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning of game one of a baseball doubleheader, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Chicago. Yolmer Sanchez scored on a play. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
The Associated Press