The Chicago White Sox agreed to
terms on a five-year, $65 million deal with pitcher John Danks,
a 26-year-old left-hander who has a 54-56 record over five Major
League Baseball seasons.

Danks had an 8-12 record with a 4.33 earned run average in
27 starts for the White Sox last season. After losing his first
eight decisions, Danks went 8-4 with a 3.69 ERA.

Danks, who broke into the major leagues with the White Sox
in 2007, will receive $8 million in 2012, which would have been
his final season of arbitration eligibility. He’ll get $14.25
million each season from 2013 through 2016, the White Sox said
in a statement on their website.

Danks went 15-11 during the 2010 season and ranks fourth
among American League left-handed pitchers with 48 wins over the
past four years, trailing Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees and former teammate Mark Buehrle, who signed with the Florida Marlins as a free agent in
December.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Erik Matuszewski in New York at
matuszewski@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Michael Sillup at
msillup@bloomberg.net

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

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk’s Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

(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.”

© Copyright (c) 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.”