Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura talks with Ted Barrett during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox are arguably one of the most improved teams in all of baseball going into the 2015 season. They are being picked by some to not only contend for an AL Wild Card spot, but also the AL Central Division championship.
This would be remarkable progress made by a team that finished 73-89 last season, out of the postseason for the sixth straight year. However, I am going to play the role of “devil’s advocate” and ask if the White Sox fall short of expectations should they look to make a managerial change?
This will be Robin Ventura‘s fourth season as the manager of the White Sox, and his overall record is 221-265, an average of 73 wins per season.
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Ventura’s first season was a rip-roaring success for the White Sox. He went 85-77 and had the team in contention throughout most of the season. The last two seasons, however, have been duds with records of 63-99 (2013) and 73-89 (2014). This year should be different though, or at least we expect it to be different … but what if nothing changes?
Four seasons should be enough evidence to determine whether a guy is the right fit for his job or not. If the White Sox fall and don’t qualify for the postseason, does Ventura get another crack or will General Manager Rick Hahn decide to go in a different direction?
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The team taking the field in 2015 will be Ventura’s most talented, and the future is bright as the farm system continues to be stocked with talent that it so desperately lacked in previous years. My question is this … Is Ventura the guy who can mold that talent and get wins on the field?
Can Ventura get the White Sox from pretenders to contenders? If this team falls flat and has a repeat performance of ’14, should there be a change?
I hope these questions are all for naught, and all of us can celebrate a successful season at the end of October, but if the team were to falter then these questions will start to become reality.