The Chicago White Sox announced on Thursday that they have hired Will Venable as their new manager. Venable, who previously served as the team’s third-base coach, will be taking over for Tony La Russa.
Venable, 39, becomes the 41st manager in White Sox history and the first Black manager in team history. He has been with the organization since 2020, starting as a special assistant to the general manager before moving to the coaching staff.
Venable played in the major leagues for nine seasons with the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He retired as a player in 2016 and quickly transitioned to coaching.
The White Sox made the decision to promote Venable after La Russa stepped down following the team’s loss in the American League Division Series. Venable will be tasked with leading a talented White Sox team that is looking to make a deep playoff run in 2022.
In a statement, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn praised Venable’s leadership skills and baseball acumen, expressing confidence that he is the right person to guide the team moving forward.
Venable will have big shoes to fill following La Russa’s successful tenure with the White Sox, but the organization is confident that he is up to the challenge. White Sox fans will be eager to see how Venable navigates his first season as a major league manager and leads the team on their quest for a championship.