3 reasons White Sox will regret retaining Robin Ventura

2. Misplaced Loyalty

Ventura spent 10 of his 16 seasons as a player as the White Sox third baseman, with one All-Star selection and five Gold Glove over that time. He was a fan favorite, and presumably a favorite of upper management. Despite having no previous managerial experience, then White Sox general manager Ken Wiliams picked Ventura from among some other rumored candidates with arguably far better resumes.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf also owns the Chicago Bulls, and he’s generally headed that organization with a results-driven approach. That hasn’t always been the case with his baseball property, and the White Sox have frankly seemed like a red-headed step child compared to Reinsdorf’s involvement with the Bulls.

Williams now serves as Executive Vice President of the White Sox. Though they never played together he, like Ventura, played for the team. Some loyalty from Williams could be expected based on that, and his level of authority in the organization could be leading the apparent deflection of blame away from Ventura.

Overriding loyalty, without results, gets people fired in pro sports before too long. Reinsdorf may not be levying any mandate for a change in manager, but Williams should consider his own employment status if he wants to maintain a status quo.