White Sox Name Robin Ventura Manager

The White Sox announced that they have hired Robin Ventura to be their new manager. The sides have agreed to terms on a multiyear deal that makes Ventura the franchise's 38th manager. GM Kenny Williams says Ventura topped his managerial wish list despite his inexperience as a Major League skipper.

“I wanted someone who met very specific criteria centered around his leadership abilities," Williams said in a statement. "Robin Ventura was that man."

The 44-year-old Ventura re-joined the White Sox this June as a special advisor to director of player development Buddy Bell. He says he's looking forward to the challenge and opportunity of managing in the Major Leagues, something he has never done before.

In a 16-year playing career that lasted from 1989-2004, Ventura hit 294 home runs, made an All-Star team and won six Gold Gloves. He spent his first ten seasons with the White Sox after they selected him with the tenth overall pick of the 1988 draft. 

Williams, who suited up with the White Sox from 1986-88, never played with Ventura, but he was in Chicago's front office by the time Ventura's career ended. Ventura did play with his predecessor, Ozzie Guillen, from 1989-1997.