Venable named new Sox Manager-per Merkin

[Tnetennba]

Lets see how much autonomy he has to hire his own staff...

Still, I'm pleasantly surprised its not Nevin.

Edited yesterday at 04:30 AM by Tnetennba

[46DidIt]

26 minutes ago, chw42 said:

Rangers fans seem upset with this hire. Venable was supposed to take over for Bochy after he retires (again). 

That’s good news

[Chisoxfn]

Pumped up - perfect to league Nevin as smart pr so we expected worse and than they did good! 

[Chisoxfn]

37 minutes ago, chw42 said:

He coached under Maddon, Cora, and Bochy. Pretty impressive resume. Did we actually make a good hire for once? 

His whole resume is solid. Maybe he stinks but he has worked in a lot of roles, put in his dues, and worked with some of the better managers in game and across multiple quality organizations. 

[kitekrazy]

I guess were are impressed with it being unpredictable and different.

Was it the same with the Grifol hire? I haven't forget how the media talked that up.

With Getz wanting to deal Crochet and Robert for that vargas type haul,  he should be warned he may be part  of baseball history next season by losing 125 games.

Now all they need is a new GM.

[Fielder Jones]

52 minutes ago, Vote4Pedro said:

Not going to pretend like this is a good or bad hire. Ultimately it won’t matter in 2-3 years when they fire this dude for getting non competitive rosters handed to him year in and out.

Look no further than Mark Kotsay though. If you enter a situation that is low spending and known to be bad, you can grow with them and stay for awhile if you are incident free. Pedro was hired in a win-now moment.

Also look at Eberflus. You can make a lot of mistakes and have job security if you are lined up with the beginning of a GMs tenure..where the GM isnt working scared at all. And that doubly is Getz's situation rn, he's running this thing for a long time

[Sleepy Harold]

56 minutes ago, chw42 said:

Also when is the last time Merkin broke news? 

Eaton trade?

[Tnetennba]

The general consensus seems to be he’s a solid hire, and his resume speaks to that. I don’t envy the challenge ahead though. Getz seems to be able to hire people more competent than himself, but that sure doesn’t make up for his lack of talent evaluation. Venable’s fate will ultimately be in the hands of the very GM who constructed the worst baseball team of the modern era, working for the worst owner in the game. I wish him luck, but holy s%*# will the deck be stacked against him. 

[Sleepy Harold]

15 minutes ago, Fielder Jones said:

Look no further than Mark Kotsay though. If you enter a situation that is low spending and known to be bad, you can grow with them and stay for awhile if you are incident free. Pedro was hired in a win-now moment.

Also look at Eberflus. You can make a lot of mistakes and have job security if you are lined up with the beginning of a GMs tenure..where the GM isnt working scared at all. And that doubly is Getz's situation rn, he's running this thing for a long time

Brandon Hyde was/is in the same boat too.

[hi8is]

Wow, good White Sox news for the first time since Crochet was named opening day starter. Shocking.

[BigHurt3515]

Happy that we hired a younger guy who has some assistant experience, hopefully the front office gives him all the flexibility he needs to hire guys and bring in more of an analytical approach than what we have had previously 

[hi8is]

Will Venable would be an intriguing choice for a baseball team looking to develop young talent with an emphasis on offensive growth. Known for his intelligence and a multicultural understanding of the game (stemming from his time in Japan and experiences with MLB teams), Venable’s approach is widely respected. He has built a reputation as a coach who can connect effectively with players, making him relatable and capable of nurturing young talent in both strategic and developmental capacities.

Venable's experience spans several MLB organizations, including the Red Sox, Cubs, and Rangers, where he worked closely with players to improve their skills. His background as an MLB outfielder, along with coaching roles that involved responsibilities for outfielders and offensive strategy, means he brings a balanced, on-field understanding to his coaching. This versatility can be highly beneficial for a team focused on developing offensive skills among younger players, as he not only provides insights from his own MLB career but also understands the structure of player development from bench coach and associate manager perspectives.

His blend of strategic awareness, player rapport, and deep experience with offensive development would make him a strong managerial candidate for a team focused on growing young offensive talent.

===========

Will Venable has demonstrated an openness to modern analytics, blending traditional baseball insights with advanced data to inform his coaching strategies. Venable has gained experience in analytically progressive organizations like the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, where he was exposed to sophisticated statistical tools and advanced metrics as these franchises embraced a data-centric approach to decision-making. His tenure with these teams likely involved using player metrics to shape in-game strategies, defensive alignments, and development plans, especially in support of young players who benefit from analytical feedback on mechanics and performance adjustments.

Venable’s analytical background is paired with an ability to communicate complex data in ways that young players can understand and apply. His player-centric approach and openness to innovation position him well to support a team in cultivating its offensive potential through data-driven improvements, such as optimizing batting approach and launch angles or tracking swing paths and exit velocities to maximize hitting outcomes. This blend of traditional and analytical coaching gives Venable an edge in both understanding and applying data to player development—an essential skill in today’s analytics-driven baseball landscape.

His style mirrors that of other analytically inclined managers, aligning well with a team focused on nurturing emerging talent with actionable insights from advanced metrics.

===========

Will Venable has a fascinating background, blending athletic excellence, Ivy League education, and a unique journey in baseball. Here are some interesting facts about him:

Dual-Sport Athlete at Princeton: Venable is one of the rare athletes to excel in both basketball and baseball at the Ivy League level. At Princeton, he played varsity basketball and baseball, even earning All-Ivy League honors in both sports.

Basketball Runs in the Family: Venable initially pursued basketball more seriously than baseball. He nearly played professionally before switching to focus on baseball, influenced by his mother, who saw baseball’s long-term potential for him.

Late Start to Baseball: Venable didn't fully commit to baseball until college, making his achievements even more impressive. Despite limited focus on baseball before college, he rapidly developed into a top player and was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2005.

Son of MLB Veteran Max Venable: His father, Max Venable, also played Major League Baseball, and they briefly shared time in the Padres’ system. This legacy has given Will a rich understanding of the game’s culture and demands.

Multi-Role MLB Career: After his playing career, Venable quickly transitioned into coaching, taking on multiple roles with the Cubs and the Red Sox before joining the Texas Rangers as an associate manager. This experience across teams and responsibilities has contributed to his reputation as a well-rounded and player-focused coach

Analytical Approach: Venable is known for his openness to baseball analytics, which he combines with his own in-game insights. Working in analytically forward organizations like the Cubs and Red Sox, Venable has grown adept at using data to guide player development and on-field decisions.

[greg775]

We have a great manager now we have to hope he is one tough SOB. Tough to stand up to Getz and Jerry and any idiot in the front office that implies he's doing a lousy job when we are 10-35 next year. This team has no talent on its current roster except perhaps a couple league average guys, a few outstanding prospects like Monte and Elko, etc. But basically we are the laughingstock of baseball and our new manager has to have the guts to laugh in the face of his superiors if they refuse to improve the roster. Again, winning 55 games should get him manager of the year that'd be a 14-game improvement with a wretched team.

[caulfield12]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42083747/chicago-white-sox-hiring-venable-manager

Like the fact that he's been around baseball/clubhouses for pretty much his entire life, due to his father Max, who had a 12 year big league career as well.

 

Venable knows the Chicago baseball scene, having been part of the interview process for the last White Sox managerial opening when Pedro Grifol ultimately was hired prior to the 2023 campaign. He also served as a special assistant to Cubs president Theo Epstein, as well as the first-base coach for the North Siders during the 2018 and ’19 seasons and as their third-base coach in 2020. Venable worked as the Red Sox bench coach during the 2021 and ’22 seasons, before joining the Rangers as the associate manager to Bruce Bochy for the past two years.

Texas won the World Series title in ’23 with Venable in that role. He replaces Grady Sizemore, who finished 13-32 as the team’s interim manager during the ’24 season after taking over for Grifol on Aug. 8. Grifol posted an 89-190 record over one-plus seasons at the helm, including a 28-89 record in 2024.

...

The White Sox are coming off a ’24 campaign where they set the single-season Modern Era record (since 1901) of 121 losses and are amid a longer-term rebuild. Getz spoke of wanting someone with a similar vision to co-pilot this growth process toward success, with Venable getting the nod.

https://www.mlb.com/news/will-venable-white-sox-manager

Edited yesterday at 05:23 AM by caulfield12

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

Happy 42nd  Birthday Will !!

Good luck. Guessing u got a nice raise and making at least $1.5M for at least 3 years.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

15 minutes ago, hi8is said:

Will Venable would be an intriguing choice for a baseball team looking to develop young talent with an emphasis on offensive growth. Known for his intelligence and a multicultural understanding of the game (stemming from his time in Japan and experiences with MLB teams), Venable’s approach is widely respected. He has built a reputation as a coach who can connect effectively with players, making him relatable and capable of nurturing young talent in both strategic and developmental capacities.

Venable's experience spans several MLB organizations, including the Red Sox, Cubs, and Rangers, where he worked closely with players to improve their skills. His background as an MLB outfielder, along with coaching roles that involved responsibilities for outfielders and offensive strategy, means he brings a balanced, on-field understanding to his coaching. This versatility can be highly beneficial for a team focused on developing offensive skills among younger players, as he not only provides insights from his own MLB career but also understands the structure of player development from bench coach and associate manager perspectives.

His blend of strategic awareness, player rapport, and deep experience with offensive development would make him a strong managerial candidate for a team focused on growing young offensive talent.

===========

Will Venable has demonstrated an openness to modern analytics, blending traditional baseball insights with advanced data to inform his coaching strategies. Venable has gained experience in analytically progressive organizations like the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, where he was exposed to sophisticated statistical tools and advanced metrics as these franchises embraced a data-centric approach to decision-making. His tenure with these teams likely involved using player metrics to shape in-game strategies, defensive alignments, and development plans, especially in support of young players who benefit from analytical feedback on mechanics and performance adjustments.

Venable’s analytical background is paired with an ability to communicate complex data in ways that young players can understand and apply. His player-centric approach and openness to innovation position him well to support a team in cultivating its offensive potential through data-driven improvements, such as optimizing batting approach and launch angles or tracking swing paths and exit velocities to maximize hitting outcomes. This blend of traditional and analytical coaching gives Venable an edge in both understanding and applying data to player development—an essential skill in today’s analytics-driven baseball landscape.

His style mirrors that of other analytically inclined managers, aligning well with a team focused on nurturing emerging talent with actionable insights from advanced metrics.

===========

Will Venable has a fascinating background, blending athletic excellence, Ivy League education, and a unique journey in baseball. Here are some interesting facts about him:

Dual-Sport Athlete at Princeton: Venable is one of the rare athletes to excel in both basketball and baseball at the Ivy League level. At Princeton, he played varsity basketball and baseball, even earning All-Ivy League honors in both sports.

Basketball Runs in the Family: Venable initially pursued basketball more seriously than baseball. He nearly played professionally before switching to focus on baseball, influenced by his mother, who saw baseball’s long-term potential for him.

Late Start to Baseball: Venable didn't fully commit to baseball until college, making his achievements even more impressive. Despite limited focus on baseball before college, he rapidly developed into a top player and was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2005.

Son of MLB Veteran Max Venable: His father, Max Venable, also played Major League Baseball, and they briefly shared time in the Padres’ system. This legacy has given Will a rich understanding of the game’s culture and demands.

Multi-Role MLB Career: After his playing career, Venable quickly transitioned into coaching, taking on multiple roles with the Cubs and the Red Sox before joining the Texas Rangers as an associate manager. This experience across teams and responsibilities has contributed to his reputation as a well-rounded and player-focused coach

Analytical Approach: Venable is known for his openness to baseball analytics, which he combines with his own in-game insights. Working in analytically forward organizations like the Cubs and Red Sox, Venable has grown adept at using data to guide player development and on-field decisions.

Damn who wrote this , his press agent ?

[caulfield12]

Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz and Texas Rangers associate manager Will Venable HAD emerged as finalists for the Marlins managerial job, sources told The Miami Herald. Both candidates are flying into South Florida this week for in-person interviews with Marlins president/baseball operations and owner Bruce Sherman.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article294672179.html#storylink=cpy

 

Venable, who impressed the Marlins in his Zoom interview, has been the Rangers’ associate manager the past two seasons. Venable, 41, was the Cubs’ first base coach in 2018 and 2019 and then served as their third base coach in 2020. After that 2020 season, he left to become the bench coach for the Boston Red Sox. On May 29, 2021, Venable managed his first MLB game, filling in for Alex Cora in a 3-1 win against the Marlins.

Boston went 1-5 when Venable filled in as Red Sox manager in April 2022, when Cora was sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19. Venable hit .249, with 81 homers and 307 RBI in a nine-year career, spending the first 7 1/2 of those seasons with the Padres. He also played for the Rangers and Dodgers. In 2005, the Padres selected Venable in the seventh round out of Princeton, where he became the second person ever named All Ivy League first team in both baseball and basketball. He made his major league debut in 2008.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article294672179.html#storylink=cpy

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article294672179.html#storylink=cpy

[caulfield12]

Venable chose to attend Princeton University, not for its academics, but for its tradition of basketball excellence. He respected their tradition of qualifying to participate in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Tournament.^[12] During his time at the university, he was a part of two teams that qualified for postseason play: 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament and 2002 National Invitation Tournament).^[12] Princeton recruited him as a basketball player. He did not play baseball as a freshman, but his father had directed him to Scott Bradley (former Mariners/big league catcher), Princeton's baseball coach, during his recruiting visit.^[13]

Venable, who was a member of the class of 2005 at Princeton University, was the second athlete in Ivy League history (after his Padres teammate Chris Young) to be first-team All-Ivy in both basketball and baseball and he played on Ivy League Champion National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship tournament participants in both sports.^[12] He played in two NCAA Championship tournaments in both sports and earned a B.A. in anthropology.^[12]

In basketball, he averaged over 10 points and over 30 minutes per game in his 2002–03 sophomore season through his 2004–05 senior season.^[14]

Bradley had left the door open for Venable to come take batting practice if he ever had the urge. As a sophomore, at the suggestion of his mother, Venable resumed baseball. He posted modest numbers in his first season, but in 2004, he hit for a .344 batting average, earned All-Ivy honorable mention,^[12] and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 15th round of the draft (439th overall).^[15] Bradley felt that Major League Baseball scouts undervalued Venable because he did not participate in the Cape Cod League for college baseball players. Thus, instead of signing and giving up his amateur status, Venable returned for his senior season and posted a league leading 9 home runs and runner-up .385 batting average while earning All-League honors.^[13][16] Subsequently, the Padres drafted him in the seventh round (215th overall); he was signed by the Padres' Northeast Scouting Director, Jim Bretz.^[13][15]

 

He finished among the top 10 in the National League in triples four times and in stolen bases twice. He has the most MLB career hits and home runs of any Princeton alumnus.

His brother Winston Venable briefly played in the NFL.

 

 

 

"Wow, Getz actually followed through on hiring an external candidate that was in uniform this past season, and a pretty good candidate at that. I thought they would go full Reinsdorf lazy and hire Sizemore for the manager spot. This way they can retain Sizemore in other coaching roles and further his development alongside a more experienced staff that Venable hopefully brings from outside the organization. I just hope Reinsdorf stays out of this and all baseball ops decisions. He has already meddled his team to the very bottom of the league."

 

Josh Nelson

Admin

 

Reply to  IndySox

3 hours ago

Sources: Jerry Reinsdorf was part of the interview process, but not deeply. Few questions he had for interviewees, and offered them to ask him questions about the org.

 

www.soxmachine.com

 

 

Edited yesterday at 07:31 AM by caulfield12

[SoxAce]

Nice hire. Coming from a winning organization unlike Grifol. 

[Chimpton]

43 minutes ago, SoxAce said:

Nice hire. Coming from a winning organization unlike Grifol. 

Well the Royals did turn in to winning organisation this season, after Grifol had left!

[The Mighty Mite]

Just can’t get exited about anything about the White Sox as long as JR owns the team, remember Getz has said that the payroll will be lower in 2025. Hopefully things will change if and when JR sells.

[thedoctor]

*puts torch and pitchfork back in the closet*

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

6 hours ago, Fielder Jones said:

Look no further than Mark Kotsay though. If you enter a situation that is low spending and known to be bad, you can grow with them and stay for awhile if you are incident free. Pedro was hired in a win-now moment.

Also look at Eberflus. You can make a lot of mistakes and have job security if you are lined up with the beginning of a GMs tenure..where the GM isnt working scared at all. And that doubly is Getz's situation rn, he's running this thing for a long time

But eberflus is a horrible coach and holding the team back.

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

All that said, hire is meaningless as said earlier.

Who cares who the manager is for a historically inept franchise. 

[Falstaff]

I am a happy camper with what I am reading about Venable. His credentials are so impressive, Princeton, Special Assistant to Theo, bench coach under a future HoF manager in Boche.   

Getz came through to get Will onboard, good job.