(Image Source: Sports Logos)

BY NICK ADAMS

Player turned manager? Not that unusual. A play that never coached before turning manager? Well, that’s something. Robin Ventura is now the thirty ninth manager in Chicago White Sox franchise history.  WFLD in Chicago has the scoop.

"Kenny Williams strikes again. He loves a good surprise. Kenny Williams hires Robin Ventura as his under the radar choice to replace Ozzie Guillen... He’s had his eyes on Ventura as managerial material since the mid 90s."

So was this a case of anybody’s better than Guillen? Or do people think Ventura can return the team to 2005 World Champion-form? The Daily Herald says they need a guy who puts the team first, and Guillen lost sight of that.

“There was a time when Guillen was precisely that. He was happy, attentive and a darn good manager, but as his anger grew and his need to be pacified ached at all hours, Guillen forgot why he was here.”

That forgetfulness earned Guillen a one-way ticket out of Chicago, and the media, often maligned by the fiery manager, hasnt forgotten. The Tribune used GM Kenny Williams to toss a backhanded performance review at Guillen.

“Williams hopes Ventura gradually can blend several underachieving veterans and inexperienced youngsters.”

But outside of Chicago, the sports media is more focused on Ventura than Guillen. Bleacher Report is behind the hire, going as far as headlining their article “5 Reasons Why Ventura is Best Choice for Chicago” In fact, they don’t even mention Guillen until reason three, and it’s more commentary than criticism.  

“Many believed … they would be looking for someone who was the very antithesis of Guillen. They certainly may have found that person in Ventura. While Guillen was famous for his Twitter account and his sometimes outrageous moments with the press, Ventura may not even have a Twitter account, nor a website for that matter.”

But ESPN writer Jon Greenberg isn’t interested in Guillen or Ventura. His focus is dialed in on Kenny Williams.

“Williams likes to make a splash, and he's addicted to the limelight... And there's the rub. Williams' decision-making ability hasn't been trustworthy in years. His gut is gone, or at least in Weight Watchers. I wouldn't let him order me lunch right now. That's the real reason I have skepticism. It's not because I don't trust Ventura and his 16 years in the majors.”

Transcript by Newsy.