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A few days ago, reports surfaced that the White Sox intended to retain manager Robin Ventura -- provided, that was, he wanted to return.

So much for all that. Ventura announced after Sunday's season finale that he wouldn't return in 2017:


Monday morning the White Sox officially replaced Ventura with bench coach Rick Renteria, as had been previously reported:

Of course, the problem with the 2016 White Sox had more to do with talent than strategy. But it's hard to feel too bad for Ventura, who received ample time and produced little in the way of results.

Ventura enjoyed a highly successful rookie season at the helm, guiding the 2012 White Sox to 85 wins. The road hasn't been nearly as easy since. The White Sox have since failed to enjoy a .500 season, with their 78 wins in 2016 representing the high mark. Ventura has shown limited tactical ability, and the White Sox's repeated clubhouse issues this season -- from Adam LaRoche's saga to Chris Sale's jersey-shredding incident -- speak poorly of his ability to keep his players in line.

Renteria, meanwhile, is in his first season as bench coach. If the name sounds familiar, it's because he preceded Joe Maddon as Cubs manager, overseeing a 73-89 record in 2014. Renteria became a sympathetic figure thereafter, as the Cubs fired him despite there being positive reports about his work with young players. Fortunately, it looks like Renteria is about to receive a much-deserved second chance.