October 31st is normally synonymous with Halloween and scary themes but for Will Venable it was the day he was hired as the Chicago White Sox Manager. Although it was a win for potential Black Managers at the Major League Level as he is one of three, joining Ron Washington (Angels) and Dave Roberts (Dodgers), leaders of the two LA franchises. Turning around a 41-121 season is a daunting task for the new manager on the Southside of Chicago.
Will Venable Named Manager Of Chicago White Sox: One Of Three Black MLB Managers
As a former outfielder for the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Dodgers and a former first-base coach in 2018 and third-base coach in 2020 with the Chicago Cubs he knows what it takes to win having played at the highest of levels.
Will Venable Has Begun Rebuild In Chicago
When speaking about his journey and what led him to this point of his career Will Venable said, “We are the heroes of our own story, and we can blaze our own trail.”
As a Princeston graduate, he has the mental fortitude to take on one of the toughest rebuilds in recent memory for a fan base that has not had recent success. With 23 wins already this season and a month until the MLB All-Star game the Chicago White Sox are on pace to surpass last season’s win total and that would be a nice step in the right direction.
Venable has drawn praise from his colleagues, more specifically, Athletics manager in Mark Kotsay, who knows the expectations with a rebuild.
“They made a great decision in choosing him,” Kotsay told reporters.
With a prospect pipeline that is ranked within the top ten, and another top ten draft pick in next month’s MLB amateur draft, there has to be patience for ownership to see Venable’s ability to nurture young talent and mold this franchise into a winner again.
Will Venable Is Second Generation MLBbro
The son of former major league player William McKinley “Max” Venable, Will Jr. witnessed from birth the dedication it takes to not only make it to the major leagues but doing it as a Black Man and taking that drive to an Ivy league college and now using all of his resources to manage in one of the biggest sports markets in the United States. His legacy is still growing.
Chicago White Sox Already Better Under Will Venable’s Leadership
In their last 10 contests they are playing .500 baseball and are only two games under .500 at home overall on the season. With their struggles on the road there is an opportunity for them to grow heading into and after the All-Star break. With Vegas predicting only 50-55 wins, Will Venable can rally his young troops over that number and defeat many pundits’ predictions for this team as he makes his mark with the next wave of leaders in baseball.
