The Chicago White Sox have made a big move in their search for a new manager, as they have reportedly hired former MLB outfielder Will Venable. After serving as a coach for the Texas Rangers for the past two seasons, Venable will now take on the role of manager for the South Siders.
This decision comes after the firing of Pedro Grifol on August 8th, who finished with a disappointing 89-190 record over the course of two seasons as the White Sox’s skipper. The team is looking for a fresh start and they believe Venable is the right man for the job.
Venable brings a wealth of experience to the table, both as a player and a coach. He spent nine seasons in the MLB, with the majority of his appearances coming as a member of the San Diego Padres. During his playing career, Venable hit 81 home runs, drove in 307 runs, and stole 135 bases. His batting line of .249/.315/.404 shows that he was a solid contributor on the field.
After retiring from playing, Venable wasted no time in starting his coaching career. He joined the Chicago Cubs as a first base coach in 2018 and then moved to third base coach in 2019. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he continued to impress as a coach for the North Siders. He then went on to join the Boston Red Sox coaching staff as a bench coach in 2021 and 2022. Most recently, he served as an “associate manager” to Bruce Bochy with the Texas Rangers, where he played a key role in the team’s World Series win in 2023.
The White Sox are hoping that Venable’s experience and leadership will help turn their team around. They finished the 2024 season with the worst record in modern MLB history, a dismal 41-121. But with Venable at the helm, the team is determined to improve and make a comeback in the upcoming 2025 season.
Venable’s hiring has been met with excitement and optimism from both fans and players. He has a reputation for being a great communicator and a strong leader, which are essential qualities for a successful manager. His experience as a player and a coach will also be valuable in guiding the team towards success.
The White Sox organization is confident that Venable is the right fit for the team. They believe that his passion for the game and his dedication to his players will help create a winning culture within the team. Venable has already expressed his excitement for the opportunity to lead the White Sox and is eager to get to work.
This hiring also marks a significant moment for diversity in the MLB. Venable will become the third African-American manager in the league, joining Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dusty Baker of the Houston Astros. This is a step in the right direction for the league and shows that they are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion.
In conclusion, the Chicago White Sox have made a bold and promising move by hiring Will Venable as their new manager. With his experience, leadership, and passion for the game, Venable is the perfect candidate to lead the team towards success. The White Sox organization and fans are excited for what the future holds under Venable’s guidance, and we can’t wait to see the team’s progress in the upcoming season. This is a new era for the White Sox, and we have no doubt that Venable will lead them to greatness.
