White Sox unable to build on strong start in ’16

CHICAGO — The phrase “mired in mediocrity” was used by White Sox general manager Rick Hahn to describe his team’s standing as the end of the 2016 season approached.

But this past campaign was a bit different than the last three, in which the White Sox finished under .500 and out of playoff contention by the time September began. The White Sox started the year with a 23-10 mark and held a six-game lead in the American League Central as of May 9.

Even a .500 record over the next 129 games would have put the White Sox in prime position for at least an AL Wild Card spot. That break-even mark was not met, as the White Sox fell short of the playoffs for an eighth straight year.

On the last day of the season, Robin Ventura announced that he would not be returning as the manager in 2017, and on Monday morning, the White Sox announced that Rick Renteria is replacing him.

• Offseason to bring familiar questions for Sox

Here’s a look at the up-and-down moments from the 2016 White Sox season.

Record: 78-84, fourth place in the AL Central.

Defining moment: The White Sox record stood at 44-41 with one series at home to go before the All-Star break against the Atlanta Braves. But the National League’s worst team hit Chris Sale hard in a first-game loss and local product Mike Foltynewicz shut down the White Sox in the finale to give the Braves a series win. The White Sox started the second half with a 1-7 mark, including getting swept over three games in Anaheim, and they basically were out of any real playoff hope.

What went right: Sale not only was Cy Young worthy yet again, but his plan to avoid striking out every hitter with every pitch paid huge dividends. The White Sox ace finished with six complete games and had a stretch of six straight starts into the season’s final weeks in which he worked at least eight innings.

Todd Frazier, a key offseason acquisition in a three-team trade with the Dodgers and Reds, showed …

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