The Chicago White Sox put a quick end to their search for a new manager on Thursday, announcing the hiring of Robin Ventura to replace the sometimes polarizing Ozzie Guillen. Ventura, a former White Sox third baseman, will take over a team that went 79-83 in 2011.
Ventura has significant ties to college baseball. This past season, Ventura contributed analysis to ESPN’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament. In addition, he served on the advisory board for the Capital One Cup, an ranking and reward system for all Division I sports programs. Ventura is also a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, and earned both the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award during his Oklahoma State career.
In addition to his Capital One and ESPN work this past season, Ventura served as a special player personnel advisor to the White Sox, paving the way for his step up to manager.
College Baseball Daily had the pleasure of interviewing Ventura twice in the past year. Here is our September 2010 interview and our April 2011 interview with him.
