“John has been a true professional throughout his three seasons with the White Sox, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a distinctive style to our broadcasts,” said White Sox marketing CEO Brooks Boyer in a statement. “As his contract comes to an end, we believe this is the appropriate time to evaluate the direction of our broadcasts and determine what is best for the organization and our fans moving forward. We are appreciative of John’s contributions and the connection he built with our fanbase. We wish him continued success in his future endeavors.”

Speculation surfaced earlier this month that Schriffen’s contract would not be renewed, as Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) President Mike McCarthy hinted his network and the team would make a change in the booth for next season (if it happens, since a lockout is all but likely.) The White Sox said a national search to replace Schriffen would start immediately as it’s unlikely current radio voice Len Kasper would succeed him, as he stays in the booth with Darrin Jackson. The White Sox were on the now-defunct NBC Sports Chicago his first year; the last two were with CHSN.

Schriffen replaced Jason Benetti after the 2023 season after he left for a similar gig for the Detroit Tigers. Schriffen never really found his groove during his three-year stint, as he was criticized for his over-the-top delivery, numerous errors, and his inane catch phrases such as “South Side, Stand Up!” (although as a South Side native, that was his better ones.)  Schriffen had little baseball broadcasting experience, although he has called sports on ESPN, including college football and basketball.

This space ripped Schriffen in June 2024, calling him a “disgrace to baseball”. “In all my years of watching baseball – a dying sport run by an idiot commissioner that skews the oldest of all the four majors and can’t seem to draw viewers under the age of 50, I’ve never seen a childish, juvenile person be so unprofessional in any profession outside of shock jocks not named Howard Stern.”,  I said, while reviewing his, um, “work”, also referring to as “[T]he Mancow Muller of baseball broadcasting.” In his first year, he engaged in a feud with two WSCR hosts, referring to them as “radio losers” during a broadcast. This space criticized the timing of his remarks, as Alpha Media laid off numerous people in its suburban Chicago clusters the very same week (Alpha has since sold its stations to Connoisseur Media.)

Schriffen’s first year was also marked by the White Sox achieving a 41-121 record – the worst in baseball history, and being ranked dead last in Awful Announcing’s baseball broadcast team poll. This past season however, the same poll ranked him 21st, but still low. Perhaps sealing his demise was his decision to do a UFC match for Paramount + on the same night the White Sox clinched a Wild Card playoff spot in Kansas City, making the playoffs for the first time in five years – a turnaround from three consecutive 100-plus losing seasons, as the team became the buzz of the town (after sweeping the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round, the White Sox would fall to the Guardians in the Division Series by blowing a 2-0 lead and losing in five.)

“I’m grateful to the Chicago White Sox organization for the opportunity to call games over the past three seasons,” Schriffen said to the Sun-Times. “Being part of this team’s turnaround and playoff run was truly special. I want to thank White Sox fans for welcoming me to Chicago and for their support throughout my time here. I’ll always cherish the memories and look forward to what’s next.”

While Schriffen won’t be with the White Sox anymore, you can still hear him on ESPN’s sports coverage, including NBA ‘G’ League Basketball, college sports, and UFC, so he’ll still be employed somewhere.