Robin Ventura: First 5 Objectives as Chicago White Sox Manager

Robin Ventura received an afternoon jolt on Thursday when the Chicago White Sox hired him as manager.

 Ventura is just getting his feet settled as White Sox manager, his first coaching job of any type at the major-league level.

Ventura has four months to prepare himself in a new territory before spring training begins. Then, Ventura will have some time during spring training to instill his team style in White Sox players before the 2012 season begins.

Ventura has a long list of objectives for the next few months.  He has much to learn about managing.  He also has to re-learn his relationship with Kenny Williams now that he is the manager, rather than part of the front office.

Here are some of the objectives that he should focus on first.

Find the Right People for Coaching Positions

The most important objective for Ventura during the offseason is to hire the right people for his coaching staff.

Ventura already has some pieces in place for him.  Don Cooper re-upped for four years as pitching coach. Cooper is one of the better pitching coaches in MLB and understands the White Sox and their pitchers after 10 years as White Sox pitching coach.

Harold Baines is on tab for three more years as first-base coach.  He should also be helpful and can give positive guidance on the basepaths.

The White Sox also retain bullpen coach Juan Nieves and bullpen catcher Mark Salas.  Both are good since they're familiar with the pitchers.

Ventura needs to find a hitting coach and a bench coach.  Bench coach is an essential position to fill correctly for a young manager like Ventura.  He needs a veteran eye at his side to help him see things that he might not otherwise see.

Buddy Bell could be a good hire as bench coach.  Bell has managerial experience and his baseball experience would bring great knowledge.

Hitting coach is tough to fill.  Great hitters don't necessarily make good hitting coaches.  Frank Thomas expressed in an interview on Comcast SportsNet's Chicago Tribune Live that he may be interested in being the White Sox hitting coach. Despite his hitting greatness, Thomas is probably not a good candidate. Thomas likely wouldn't be able to coach what he learned.  What Thomas did was special, but hard to translate to others.  

Hiring the right hitting coach is important for a White Sox team that hit poorly in 2011, but finding the right coach will be an interesting search.

Set the Tone

Ventura must set the right tone as manager.  Ventura needs to express what type of manager he will be. Some White Sox fans might want him to be the fiery, outspoken manager that Ozzie Guillen was.  However, Ventura can't do that, since he isn't as boisterous as Guillen.  

Ventura will need to communicate that he'll have a quieter tone.

Also, Ventura will need to express what type of team he wants the White Sox to be, both offensively and defensively.  Ventura will need to articulate what type of hitting team he wants, as well as how important pitching and base-stealing will be to the success of the team.

Emphasize Fundamentals

Ventura will need to emphasize the importance of good, fundamental play.  Fundamentals are the essence of a good team.  

The White Sox skated by with poor fundamentals in the previous eight years under Ozzie Guillen. The White Sox played subpar defense and ran the bases poorly.  Those detractors hurt a bit.

In 2011, the White Sox were third in the American League in times caught stealing (53).

The White Sox's No. 2 ranking in 2011 was carried by two especially strong individual defenders.

Gordon Beckham was a banner of good defense in 2011.  Beckham was one of the best defensive second basemen in the American League.  He was fourth in the league in fielding percentage (.989) and second in range factor (4.80).

Mark Buehrle also fielded well.  Buehrle committed one error and led AL pitchers in range factor (1.77).

Others need to follow their lead.

Discuss the Team's Road Map with Kenny Williams

Ventura needs to meet with Williams to discuss how the White Sox will look for the next few years.  

Ventura and Williams need to establish realistic parameters to define success for the team.  Making the playoffs every year may not be realistic for Ventura.  Having winning seasons in two of the next three years might be a better goal.

Ventura will also need to give his personnel requests.  First will come coaching hires. Then Ventura will need to request player acquisitions.  Part of this may include pleading for Williams to re-sign Buehrle and Carlos Quentin.  Ventura also may want to seek additions for hitting and relief.

Sprinkle Holy Water on Adam Dunn's Arms

Coming off the worst season ever for a designated hitter, Adam Dunn needs something.  

Dunn may need a different offseason routine. He may need to adjust his hitting approach.

Ventura has a small role in helping Dunn. To expect Ventura to completely turn around Dunn's game would be asking too much.  Perhaps all Ventura can do is give spiritual support, sprinkling holy water on Dunn's arms.

Otherwise, Ventura can only put his trust in Dunn. Thus far, he seems to have done that.  Asked about Dunn in an interview on WSCR-AM 670 Chicago, Ventura said, "Adam Dunn can fix himself."