In a move that appears to have come out of leftfield (or, in this case, thirdbase), the Chicago White Sox have named their new manager.
Robin Ventura.
Not Dave Martinez. Not Sandy Alomar. Not even Terry Francona or Tony LaRussa.
Robin Ventura.
According to ESPN Chicago, Ventura agreed to a multi-year deal with the club after working the past season as a special advisor to director of player development Buddy Bell.
“I am excited to begin my career as a manager surrounded by former teammates, staff, media and White Sox fans I know very well,” the 44-year-old former Sox told reporters. “I already am looking forward to talking to our players, to this offseason and to getting things underway at spring training next February.”
“When I met with the media as our season ended, I identified one person at the very top of my managerial list,” general manager Ken Williams said in a statement. “I wanted someone who met very specific criteria centered around his leadership abilities. Robin Ventura was that man. His baseball knowledge and expertise, his professionalism, his familiarity with the White Sox and Chicago and his outstanding character make him absolutely the right person to lead our clubhouse and this organization into the seasons ahead.”
In ten seasons on the south side, Ventura hit .274 and took home five Gold Gloves. He ranks sixth all-time in home runs for the White Sox.
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