Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Calling him the right leader at the right time, the Chicago White Sox hired former All-Star third baseman Robin Ventura as their new manager on Thursday.

Ventura, who joined the club on June 6 as a special advisor to director of player development Buddy Bell, has no prior managerial experience.

He signed a multi-year deal.

“When I rejoined the White Sox, I said this was my baseball home and that part of me never left the White Sox organization,” said Ventura, a two-time All Star who played for the team from 1989-1998.

“My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Chicago. Managing a Major League Baseball team is a tremendous honor. It’s also an opportunity and a challenge.”

Ventura takes the place of Ozzie Guillen, who left the club with two games remaining in the season when the White Sox released him from his contract.

Guillen, who managed Chicago for eight years, was hired as manager of the Florida Marlins. He led the White Sox to a record of 678-617 and a World Series title in 2005, but they were just 79-83 this past season to finish third in the AL Central.

“When I met with the media as our season ended, I identified one person at the very top of my managerial list,” White Sox general manager Ken Williams said in a statement. “I wanted someone who met very specific criteria centered around his leadership abilities.

“Robin Ventura was that man. His baseball knowledge and expertise, his professionalism, his familiarity with the White Sox and Chicago and his outstanding character make him absolutely the right person to lead our clubhouse and this organization into the seasons ahead.”

Ventura batted .267 with 294 homers and 1,182 RBI in 2,079 career games over 16 major league seasons. His 18 career grand slams are tied for fifth in MLB history.

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(Reuters) – Former Chicago White Sox All-Star third baseman Robin Ventura was named manager of the Major League Baseball club, the team said on Thursday.

Ventura, who was already working as a director of player development for the White Sox, replaces the colourful Ozzie Guillen, who parted ways with the club last month and joined the Florida Marlins.

“When I rejoined the White Sox this June, I said this was my baseball home and that part of me never left the White Sox organisation,” Ventura said in statement.

“My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Chicago. Managing a Major League Baseball team is a tremendous honor. It’s also an opportunity and a challenge.”

Ventura was originally drafted by the White Sox in 1998, and played more than 10 years with the organisation. He also played for the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers during his 16-year career.

In 2,079 career games, Ventura had a .267 batting average with 294 home runs and 1,182 RBIs.

“I wanted someone who met very specific criteria centered around his leadership abilities,” said White Sox general manager Ken Williams. “Robin Ventura was that man. His baseball knowledge and expertise, his professionalism, his familiarity with the White Sox and Chicago and his outstanding character make him absolutely the right person to lead our clubhouse and this organization into the seasons ahead.”

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It’s all in the family for the Chicago White Sox organization and their latest managerial hire.

Chicago named Robin Ventura, a long-time White Sox infielder and current special advisor to the team’s director of player development, the next manager of the club.

The 44-year-old played 16 major league seasons, 10 of which were spent on the South Side. He replaces Ozzie Guillen, who left the club for the Florida Marlins.

“When I rejoined the White Sox this June, I said this was my baseball home and that part of me never left the White Sox organization,” Ventura said in a statement. “My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Chicago. Managing a Major League Baseball team is a tremendous honor. It’s also an opportunity and a challenge.

The hire was a shock to many. Owner Kenny Williams had contacted the Rays to speak with bench coach Dave Martinez. Former Sox catcher Sandy Alomar was also considered a candidate.

“When I met with the media as our season ended, I identified one person at the very top of my managerial list,” general manager Ken Williams said in a statement. “I wanted someone who met very specific criteria centered around his leadership abilities. Robin Ventura was that man.”

But Williams and the organization have never shied away from questionable hires (see Guillen, Ozzie). And that marriage helped end an 88-year World Series drought.

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Former Chicago White Sox All-Star third baseman Robin Ventura was named manager of the Major League Baseball club, the team said on Thursday.

Ventura, who was already working as a director of player development for the White Sox, replaces the colourful Ozzie Guillen, who parted ways with the club last month and joined the Florida Marlins.

“When I rejoined the White Sox this June, I said this was my baseball home and that part of me never left the White Sox organisation,” Ventura said in statement.

“My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Chicago. Managing a Major League Baseball team is a tremendous honor. It’s also an opportunity and a challenge.”

Ventura was originally drafted by the White Sox in 1998, and played more than 10 years with the organisation. He also played for the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers during his 16-year career.

In 2,079 career games, Ventura had a .267 batting average with 294 home runs and 1,182 RBIs.

“I wanted someone who met very specific criteria centered around his leadership abilities,” said White Sox general manager Ken Williams. “Robin Ventura was that man. His baseball knowledge and expertise, his professionalism, his familiarity with the White Sox and Chicago and his outstanding character make him absolutely the right person to lead our clubhouse and this organization into the seasons ahead.”

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Major League Baseball

More sports on TV Friday after the jump.

Action

X Games, 3:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. (ESPN)

Pro Basketball

WNBA: Indiana vs. Washington, 7:00 p.m. (NBA TV)

Pro Football

Arena: Orlando vs. Jacksonville, 8:00 p.m. (NFL Network)

Pro Soccer

MLS: Philadelphia Union vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel)

Golf

• European: Irish Open, 9:00 a.m. (The Golf Channel)
• Women’s British Open: 9:00 a.m. (ESPN)
• US Senior Open, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
• PGA: The Greenbrier Classic, 3:00 p.m. (The Golf Channel)
• Nationwide: Utah Championship, 6:30 p.m. (The Golf Channel)

Boxing

Junior welterweights: Peterson vs. Cayo, 9:00 p.m. (ESPN2)