Smooth skipper
Rookie manager Robin Ventura is making experience look overrated with an understated approach that has played well on the White Sox following Guillen’s tumultuous reign.
When hitters have struggled, Ventura has shown patience by not moving them up or down the lineup. When the club has endured a rough patch—they had one last weekend when they were swept at Kansas City—Ventura has kept them focused on the present day. “They don’t have real good memories,” Ventura said. “It was a rough weekend but you come back in, you play. They do a good job in just trying to win today.”
On Monday, Ventura removed starter Gavin Floyd after just 2 1/3 innings and the White Sox rallied to a 9-6 victory. Afterward, Ventura said he did not need long to conclude that Floyd did not have the command he needed. On Tuesday, Ventura showed more patience with Liriano as he scuffled early. “I didn’t go down that quick,” Ventura said. “He got out of it (in the first) and seemed to get better as he went along.”
Ventura also has handled a bullpen that at times has included seven rookies. In a 14-inning game against the Royals last month, he used all seven in relief of a rookie starter, Jose Quintana. It was the first time any team had used eight rookie pitchers in one game.
“And we won,” Pierzynski said. “That’s not supposed to happen.”
The way it’s happening these days for the White Sox, it’s time to take note.
Article First Appeared @:http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-08-22/chicago-white-sox-kevin-youkilis-alex-rios-francisco-liriano-new-york-yankees