(Chicago) Will Venable would become the next manager of the Chicago White Sox, which means that the Illinois team would be banking on the former major league outfielder to help turn things around after a miserable season.
Posted at 3:55 p.m.
Two people familiar with the decision confirmed the information to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because the American League franchise has still not announced its choice.
Venable, who celebrated his 42nde birthday Tuesday, would succeed Pedro Grifol, who was fired in August as the White Sox headed toward the worst season, in terms of losses, of the modern era. Grady Sizemore was named interim manager, and the club finished the campaign with a record of 41-121.
Venable was an associate manager with the Texas Rangers for the past two seasons. He managed some daily activities of the Texas club, as well as its outfielders, and contributed to the Rangers’ conquest of the World Series in 2023.
He was selected by the San Diego Padres in the seventh round of the 2005 Major League Draft. The outfielder played for the Padres, Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers during his nine-season major league career, hitting for a .249 average with 81 home runs, 307 RBIs and 135 steals in 967 games.
After ending his sports career, Venable joined the management of the Chicago Cubs in September 2017 as special assistant to baseball operations. He also served on the team’s major league staff for three years, spending two seasons as a first base coach and another as a third base coach.
Venable also served as a bench instructor under manager Alex Cora with the Boston Red Sox for two seasons before joining the Rangers.
