After the worst MLB season ever, the White Sox hire the Red Sox's former top assistant as manager

After compiling the worst record in modern MLB history, finishing with a record of 41-121, the White Sox are turning to a former top Red Sox assistant as their new manager.

Chicago is hiring Will Venable as its next manager, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reported late Tuesday night. Venable, who served as the Rangers' assistant manager the past two years, was Alex Cora's backup coach in Boston in 2021 and 2022.

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The White Sox fired manager Pedro Grifol, who was in his second season with the club and had an 89–190 record, in August. They temporarily replaced him with former Red Sox outfielder Grady Sizemore. In addition to Venable, Chicago also considered Guardians replacement coach Craig Albernaz and former Angels manager Phil Nevin as finalists.

Venable, who turned 42 on Tuesday, applied for the Red Sox's open manager job after the 2020 season but lost out to Cora, who ultimately hired Venable as his new backup coach for his second season at the helm in Boston. Venable served in that role for two years and was expected to return for a third year, but Bochy – Venable's former manager in San Diego – called him up to take on the role of assistant manager in Texas. Venable, who also has coaching experience with the Cubs, won a World Series in his first year with the Rangers and was considered a potential successor to the 69-year-old Bochy.

Venable, a Princeton graduate who played nine seasons in the major leagues before retiring in 2016, has been linked to several executive positions over the years. Last year he declined an interview with the Mets and Guardians and decided to stay in Texas after winning the title. Previously, in addition to his Boston interview in 2020, Venable interviewed for executive positions with the Astros, Cubs, Giants, Tigers and A's.