The Chicago White Sox have decided who will take over a dugout that just experienced one of the worst seasons in MLB history.
The team is hiring former MLB outfielder Will Venable, currently the associate manager of the Texas Rangers behind Bruce Bochy, as their next manager, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. Venable replaces Pedro Grifol, who was fired in August.
The news came out on Tuesday evening, on Venable’s birthday. It also broke right after the New York Yankees’ Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, so never let it be said that the White Sox didn’t make headlines during the 2024 Fall Classic.
Venable, 42, played 967 games with the San Diego Padres, Rangers and Dodgers over a nine-year MLB career, building a reputation as a tremendous presence in the clubhouse even when he was just working as a fourth outfielder.
After his playing days came to an end, Venable joined the Chicago Cubs as a special assistant to then-team president Theo Epstein. He served as the team’s starting coach for the next three seasons. In 2021, Venable served as bench coach for the Boston Red Sox and in 2022 he joined the staff of Bochy’s Rangers.
He became a World Series champion in 2023 when the Rangers won the Commissioner’s Trophy for the first time in franchise history.
