Chicago White Sox: Robin Ventura needs to go
May 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (right) and former manager Ozzie Guillen chat during a ceremony on the day that the number of Paul Konerko was retired at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
For the first time since the year Ozzie Guillen quit on the team and forced a trade to the Miami Marlins, I would welcome a new man filling out the lineup card for the Chicago White Sox on a daily basis.
I thought Robin Ventura was an interesting choice following the 2011 season which saw the aforementioned Guillen take his talents to South Beach. He looked like an inspired choice after the 2012 season in which the White Sox finished 85-77 and only missed the playoffs due to a late-season collapse, losing the division by a mere three games to the Detroit Tigers.
Despite missing the playoffs as a rookie manager, Ventura held his own and seemed like one of the best young managers in the league. Since then however, things have taken a turn for the worse. Starting at the onset of the 2013 season, Ventura’s club holds a 164-226 record entering play Saturday, leading many fans to believe that given the talent acquired during the winter months Ventura should already be in the unemployment line.
While Ventura’s game management skills still are in question, I believe the bigger reason he should be on the chopping block is the general lack of excitement he exudes. This may be a team that responds to a more fire-in-his-belly type man at the top of the dugout.
Despite team owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s general disdain for hiring coaches with previous experience (both for the Sox and his basketball team at the United Center, the Chicago Bulls), some of the names that came to my mind have coached at the highest level before.
Next: A return of a familar face?
Ozzie Guillen
May 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (right) and former manager Ozzie Guillen during a ceremony on the day that the number of Paul Konerko was retired at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
While I do not think the club should reunite with the outspoken former coach and player on the Southside, it would make some sense.
He did bring the franchise a World Series title after all. He does have that energy I previously discussed and most of the fans seem to have forgiven him and his antics that led to a messy divorce before that 2011 season came to an end and got long-time pitching coach Don Cooper some managerial experience.
He has openly stated a desire to return to the game despite being out of a job since the 2012 campaign when he was unceremoniously fired in Miami after one season. Ozzie would be an odd hire, but not one that would be extremely out of the question.
(On a personal note I also think he was too selfish as a manager, and I am not alone in that thought, wanting all the attention on him, something he claimed was to relax the players so the media would gravitate to him and not those out on the diamond about their performance. If that is true–which we will never know for sure–then it was acceptable behavior.)
Next: Is a former Astros manager a good candidate?
Bo Porter
May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Kelly Johnson (24) shakes hands with third base coach Bo Porter (16) after hitting a two run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
This is again another candidate with managerial experience under his belt, but one I actually advocated for when he was relieved of his duties by the Houston Astros.
Players loved playing for him (as noted by Scott Feldman in the previous link) and despite his very poor record, many believe he outperformed his team’s expectations given the talent lack of talent that he had to deal with on a daily basis down in Minute Maid Park.
Porter is currently the third base coach with the Atlanta Braves, but I am sure he would jump at another opportunity to head a ball club. Porter is another high-energy prospective manager, but one that can relate to his players better than Guillen probably can out of the gate while demanding the respect that comes with the position, as he is well-respected across the baseball industry.
Porter would also be used to a rebuilding process if the club does get torn apart either by the trade deadline or in the off-season.
Next: What about an in-house candidate?
Joe McEwing
May 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing (47) sits in the dugout before playing against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Chicago won 6 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
He may not have the desired change-of-scenery effect the others would but he has long been rumored a future manager, having interviewed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and the St. Louis Cardinals.
He would still bring a different philosophy to the job and maybe a change, even if its an in-house, interim change, could have a positive effect on the team. McEwing would have the added benefit of already knowing the roster, the players, and how they could best be deployed and certainly fits Reinsdorf’s mold of no major league managerial experience, although he was the head man in the minors for a few years both with Class A Winston Salem and AAA Charlotte.
McEwing would at least be a change of pace for a club that needs it, and perhaps could turn this into the long-term managerial job many believe he man who earned the moniker “Super Joe” as a player deserves.
Next: Some Parting Thoughts
Parting Thoughts
Jun 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura looks at his team playing against the Houston Astros during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
While there are many other potential managers out there, this is as good a time as any to strike a deal with a new skipper, as this club simply has not put it together under Ventura’s tutelage. Maybe it is only on the players, maybe it isn’t and while many see the manager in these situations as a scapegoat, sometimes it is a move that needs to be made, whether it is deserved or not.
Just look at Bud Black‘s situation in San Diego just this past week. (Black would be too obvious a hire for me to highlight here, but don’t be afraid to ask me about it either in the comment section below or on twitter and I will gladly give you my thoughts on it.)
Ventura’s situation is extremely similar to Black’s in that the Padres seemingly “won the off-season” in the National League, much like the Pale Hose did in the junior circuit. Changes need to made somewhere for the Sox, and the managerial position may be the first.
Next: Chris Sale enters all-time status