The Chicago White Sox on Thursday named former All-Star Robin Ventura as the team's 38th manager.
The move comes just one week after the Sox ended a contract with Ozzie Guillen, who quickly landed with the Florida Marlins.
Ventura, 44, had already been with the team since June, as a special advisor to Director of Player Development Buddy Bell. Ventura agreed to terms with the Sox for the new post on a multi-year deal, according to a release from the team.
"When I rejoined the White Sox this June, I said this was my baseball home and that part of me never left the White Sox organization," Ventura said in a written statement.. "My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Chicago. Managing a Major League Baseball team is a tremendous honor. It’s also an opportunity and a challenge."
The Santa Maria, Calif., native spent 16 major-league seasons with the Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf called Ventura a "born leader" whose skills were "obvious to staff, players, media who covered him, and certainly to the fans of Chicago."
"You will not find a better teammate, leader and friend," Reinsdorf said in a written statement. "His ability to motivate and lead others will be a terrific attribute as manager. I loved him as a player, from his baseball knowledge, to his professionalism, to how he went about his business in the clubhouse and on the diamond. Robin exudes class in everything he does."
