KSBY Sports continues its countdown of the top 11 local sports stories of 2011. Our second nominee is the Chicago White Sox decision to hire Arroyo Grande resident Robin Ventura as its 39th manager in club history.

The news broke on October 5 and culminated with an introduction in the Windy City on the 11th. The Righetti High graduate returned to a White Sox uniform, sporting number 23 like he did for the first ten seasons of his 16 year Major League career. Tuesday, the 44 year old officially the 39th manager in franchise history. “Being where I was and being able to do this for a franchise that I love and for people that are in the organization that I love, I’m confident and I’m excited about being able to do this,” said Ventura. “Obviously I’m overjoyed about the opportunity to wear a White Sox uniform and to be the manager is an honor and I’m humbled to be able to do it.”

The press conference came barely four months after Robin was hired as a special advisor to the team that ended his six year absence from the major leagues. Ventura spent that time with his family living in Arroyo Grande. Robin sees his break as a strength because he is able to look at the game from the outside. “I’ve lived life and I’ve enjoyed it. But I’ve also enjoyed baseball and I think that helps me to be able to see beyond whether a guy got a hit or not,” added Ventura.

White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams said Robin was always at the top of his list because of his integrity, character and knowledge for the game. Despite this being Ventura’s first managerial job, the six-time gold glove third baseman is confident he can go from the hot corner to the hot seat.

Ventura is the 17th former White Sox player to become the team’s manager. The White Sox went 79-83 last season and are six years removed from a World Series title.

The White Sox open the 2012 season April 6 at the home of the Texas Rangers.

KSBY will unveil one story every day. Once all eleven nominees are announced, the public will be allowed to vote on the top local sports story of 2011.

TOP 11 STORIES OF 2011
- Meteoric rise to the Major Leagues by 22 year old Lompoc native Danny Duffy
- Chicago White Sox hiring of Central Coast resident Robin Ventura as team’s manager

Read More: John Danks (P – CWS), Chicago White Sox

White Sox lefthander John Danks’ name has come up a lot in various trade rumors this offseason as general manager Ken Williams is actively shopping a number of players on his roster in an effort to remake the team. But Danks hasn’t been sent anywhere yet, and he told the Sun-Times‘ Joe Cowley in an interview that he’s “not losing an ounce of sleep” over the situation. He’s also heard about the king’s ransom Williams has been asking teams in return for Danks:

“More than anything, this is the business of baseball,’’ Danks said. “I don’t blame Kenny for trying to get as much as he can. I took that as him being early in the process. I took it as him throwing feelers out there.’’

It’s still possible for Danks to stay in Chicago for the long term, though he says the White Sox have yet to get serious about a contract extension.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago White Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league, and check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports.

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have named Marco Paddy special assistant to general manager Ken Williams in charge of international operations.

Paddy spent the last five seasons as director of Latin America operations with the Toronto Blue Jays and will now direct the White Sox’s Latin American scouting efforts with an emphasis on international signings.

Before joining Toronto, Paddy spent 14 seasons with the Atlanta Braves in a variety of roles, including director of Latin American operations.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

It’s one thing to find an unwelcome house guest at your door. It’s a whole other thing when you walk through your door and find someone else living in your home.Chicago White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams said that’s what happened to him when he returned from a trip to find an intruder living in his high-end townhouse, The Chicago Sun-Times reported.According to the publication, Williams was away for a few days and returned to his Chicago home to discover that someone had been sleeping in his bed and eating his food. The long-time Major League Baseball GM then called police after confirming with family members that no one had visited the home.While Chicago police were at the scene, a man in a fur coat was spotted looking through a window and was questioned by officers. Investigators determined that the man, Wayne Field, matched a hospital ID bracelet found within the home, the newspaper reported.According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Williams approached Field while the 51-year old was being arrested and saw that he was donning his clothes, was in possession of his Cadillac keys and was wearing Williams’ 2005 World Series ring.Field was charged with burglary and was being held at the Cook County Jail on $100,000 bond.It’s unclear how long Field may have been living in the home, or if he is a White Sox fan.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO — Authorities say a homeless man broke into Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams’ downtown townhouse, had a bite to eat and drank a beer before he left wearing Williams’ clothes and his World Series ring.

On Tuesday, a Cook County judge ordered 51-year-old Wayne Field III jailed in lieu of US$100,000 bond on a residential burglary charge.

Prosecutors say Williams discovered the Monday burglary when he returned home from a trip on Tuesday.

Prosecutors say police noticed Field standing near the home.

When they questioned him, police found he was wearing Williams’ clothes and carrying his watch and World Series ring. Authorities say Field admitted to the break in after police found a hospital bracelet with Field’s name on it inside the home.

A man was found inside the Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams’ house on Monday wearing Williams’ clothes and eating his food, according to NBC Chicago.

The 51-year-old man, Wayne Field, was wearing Williams’ clothes and his 2005 championship ring. He also defrosted a lobster, ate his frozen pizza, drank his beer, and laid in his bed. Weird.

Field was arrested for burglary and will appear in court today.