White Sox: Will Rick Renteria Make A Difference This Season?

Mar 25, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria (17) looks on against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria (17) looks on against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

 White Sox manager emphasizing new mentality with team for upcoming season. Will new manager make a difference for the South Siders?

The Chicago White Sox will enter this upcoming season with a different attitude than in year’s past. Yes, the team is currently rebuilding, but they also have a new manager in Rick Renteria guiding the team.

After finishing a solid Spring Training, the Sox will begin an exhibition series in Milwaukee against the Brewers on Friday evening before their season opener on Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field against the Detroit Tigers. With the Sox finishing four out of the last five seasons under .500 with Robin Ventura as manager, fans are looking forward to a change in the dugout this season.

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Renteria managed just one season with the Chicago Cubs, but he made a positive impact on that team that eventually reached the postseason after his firing in 2014. While the Sox aren’t expected to contend this season, Renteria believes fans should still be excited about this team for 2017.

According to Daryl Van Schowen of the Chicago Sun-Times, Renteria stated the Sox accomplished a lot during Spring Training, and the team’s approach to the game has gotten better.

‘‘We’ve accomplished a lot. Our approach to the game has kind of improved. We’re trying to situationally play the game better on the offensive side. Our approach is to give a good effort, to hustle, to come out of the box and do things you need to put pressure on the defense. [The players are] all coming together in terms of their desire and willingness to play team baseball. We’re just looking for a solid approach to playing the game of baseball that gives us an opportunity to win some ballgames.’’ Rick Renteria

The Sox haven’t played with much passion in the last few seasons, as they’ve been mired in mediocrity. While Renteria could indeed be the change this team needs at manager, it will ultimately be up to the players to execute on the field. With a team full of younger players, there will indeed be some growing pains this season and possibly in 2018.

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As the Sox enter the upcoming season, fans will undoubtedly notice a change in how the team plays this season. The Sox endured their worst stretch of futility in nearly 20 years during Ventura’s reign as manager. After four consecutive losing seasons, things appear to be going in the right direction for this franchise. Hopefully Renteria as Sox manager leads to the franchise returning back to contenting very soon.