Chicago White Sox’s Will Venable reacts to Manager of the Year Award win

In Will Venable’s first year as manager, the Chicago White Sox went 60-102. That came a year after the franchise set a modern MLB record with 121 losses. But Venable was hired in an effort to change Chicago’s future for the better. During their 2026 campaign, the White Sox’s managerial decision paid off.

The franchise went 84-78, making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Chicago then went on a run, falling just one game short of the ALCS. The White Sox are now entering the season with a contender mentality, and teams around the league can no longer take them lightly.

Due to the White Sox’s resurgence, Venable was named the American League Manager of the Year. He earned 15 first place votes, compared to 12 for Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays and three for Chad Tracy of the Boston Red Sox. Venable became the first White Sox manager to win the award since Ozzie Guillen in 2025.

The White Sox have found their leader in the dugout. Now, Venable is focused on helping Chicago reach even further heights.

Will Venable eyeing greater Chicago White Sox success

Entering the regular season, the White Sox had just 1.1 percent chance to make the playoffs, via FanGraphs. Chicago defied the odds, not only making the postseason but winning a playoff series. Venable may have been the guiding light, which is why he won the award. But the manager says everyone in the franchise had to buy-in for their success to be realized, via the MLB Network.

“It’s just an honor to receive the award on behalf of our organization who has worked so hard to make progress,” Venable said. “It starts with our group of players. They’re just a really special group that created a belief early on in the year and went out and executed the things they needed to do. We struggled a little bit to start, ran into some really challenging environments in which we got some good experience. Really leveraged that and those learning experiences to continue getting better. They never backed down, it really felt like we belonged there at the end to play meaningful games.”

“A really special group that created a belief early on in the year… our guys just never backed down.”@whitesox manager Will Venable shares what he learned from this season on his way to winning AL Manager of the Year. https://t.co/Z3mr9mlGns pic.twitter.com/fRyBjZlJjf

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 11, 2026

The White Sox’s core is built around numerous former top prospects, meaning they have the longevity to be consistent contenders. Furthermore, the franchise seems likely to try and capitalize on their playoff run in free agency. At every step of the way, Venable will be doing everything in his power to help Chicago win. The MLB world now knows how valuable his presence is.

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