Podcast: Learning more about Will Venable with ex-MLB’er Ian Miller
Rundown
- [Intro] Latest news from MLB’s GM Meetings as the Chicago White Sox hire Ryan Fuller to be their new Director of Hitting
- [3:09] Ex-MLB’er Ian Miller, who worked with Will Venable in 2020 during his time at the Chicago Cubs, joins the show to share his insight working with the new White Sox manager. How Venable helped him with preparation during Spring Training, what Venable cares about while working with players, and how he can help transform the White Sox clubhouse
Link to Ian Miller’s full interview with Will Venable on Jan. 2, 2024
Author
While I like the Venable hire, I’m trying to not get my hopes up too high. We heard all the player testimonies with Grifol as well. He could be a wonderful speaker or a toad in front of the media, but all that really matters is his ability to manage a baseball team and we won’t know how much of that ability he has for several more months.
I will say, though, that it seems Jerry had limited influence in this hire and that I’ve liked most of Getz’ hires. Now we just have to hope that Venable and Fuller have the same sort of success Bannister has generally had. And that Smith and Schultz stay healthy. And that Montgomery and Robert can remember how to hit. And that the return for Crochet is at least close to fair. That’s a lot of things for which to hope.
Yeah, I’ll admit Salvador Perez gushing over Grifol helped sell me. Then the games started.
On the surface, I like the Venable hire, but that’s all we’ve got to go on so far…
The success of managers without minor league experience (Hyde, Showalter, Leyland, Quatraro, Maddon) refutes the continued claims that having major league experience is key to a manager’s success.