Oct
6
2011

Robin Ventura Named New White Sox Manager

An article by Hojo's Mojo

Who says you can’t go home again?

The Chicago White Sox have just announced former Mets third baseman Robin Ventura as their new manager.

Ventura, 44, agreed to a multiyear deal with the club after working the past season as a special advisor to director of player development Buddy Bell.

“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.”

Ventura replaces Ozzie Guillen, who left the White Sox for the Florida Marlins. He had a 16 year career in the majors that included stints with the White Sox from 1989-98 and Mets from 1999-2001. He was a two-time All-Star (1992, 2002) and finished with a .267 batting average, 294 home runs, and six Gold Gloves.

Ventura said in a statement. “My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Chicago. Managing a Major League Baseball team is a tremendous honor. It’s also an opportunity and a challenge. I am excited to begin my career as a manager surrounded by former teammates, staff, media and White Sox fans I know very well. I already am looking forward to talking to our players, to this offseason and to getting things underway at spring training next February.”

Good luck in Chi-Town!

About the Author: Rob Johnson

6 Comments + Add Comment

Donal October 6, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Williams got a guy with notoriety among the fans but not enough pull to be the pain Guillen was.
Bayonne Mets Fan October 6, 2011 at 7:16 pm

And had Robin Ventura ever managed in the minors? NO. It doesn’t have to be a prerequisite as many people last year here adamantly claimed it had to be for Wally Backman to get the job.

That being said I do like the way the Mets keep moving Wally up in the organization and if there ever is an opening again sometime soon with Wally’s experience at all levels in this organization he should be primed for it.
- Kramer67 October 6, 2011 at 7:23 pm
  
  You really need to come off the Backman kick. He will never manage the Mets. For now they keep bringing him along slowly just to keep him occupied and out of trouble. He should be good to go for at least 3 years in AAA and the Mets will hope and pray somebody else will offer him a major league coaching job so they wont have to.
  - Bayonne Mets Fan October 6, 2011 at 7:28 pm
    
    yeah that’s it, the only reason he’s managing at AAA is the organization wants to keep him out of trouble. When the Mets told you personally that they pray he gets hired somewhere else who spoke to you? Was it Dave Howard you spoke to?
    
    My first post about Backman in about a year and I’m on a Backman kick? Can’t I like the guy?
t agee October 6, 2011 at 7:35 pm

Why? No one can like who they like if you hate the guy.

Go ahead now and respond to something I didn’t just say
jessep October 6, 2011 at 7:38 pm

Oddly enough I came across this article today regarding another former Met who apparently is coaching near my home

http://fairfield.patch.com/articles/notre-dame-of-fairfield-introduces-rico-brogna-as-its-new-football-coach

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