Five MLB managers on the hot seat in 2016
By John Buhler
4. Robin Ventura, Chicago White Sox
Robin Ventura enters his fifth season as the manager for the Chicago White Sox in 2016. Ventura may have had some of his best season as a big leaguer playing third base for the White Sox from 1989 to 1998, but he likely needs to get Chicago back into the AL Postseason in 2016 should he want to keep his job as the club’s manager.
Under Ventura, the White Sox have gone 297-351 for a .458 winning percentage, never qualifying for the AL Postseason. Entering 2016, the White Sox actually have the second-longest playoff drought in the American League behind only the struggling Seattle Mariners. Chicago hasn’t made a postseason since 2008, when former manager Ozzie Guillen led the White Sox to an AL Central crown.
Though the White Sox are an improving team under Ventura, playing in the AL Central is not a good omen for any manager needing to get into the postseason to keep his job. The AL Central has the defending World Series Champions in the Kansas City Royals at the division’s highest perch. Paul Molitor had the once lowly Minnesota Twins within a few games of an AL Wild Card game his first season in Minneapolis as manager. Detroit isn’t what it once was under Jim Leyland, but Brad Ausmus seems well-respected. Let’s not forget a two-time World Series Champion manager leads the Cleveland Indians in Terry Francona, who won both of his titles with the Boston Red Sox (2004, 2007).
Ventura may still be a fan favorite of the White Sox, but he needs to finish at least 10 games over .500 (86-76) in 2016 to have his Sox with an outside chance of either AL Wild Card spot. Chicago isn’t likely knocking Kansas City from first place in 2016. One playoff berth in five years isn’t too much to ask out of a big league skipper, given that an additional playoff spot has been available during all four of Ventura’s seasons leading the White Sox.
Next: 3. John Farrell