Levine: Robin Ventura Downplays Success With White Sox This Season

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A year ago, it was all about a struggling team and a manager who was on the hot seat when the White Sox discussion was had. Fast forward one year, and the Robin Ventura-led White Sox are leading the American Central and also the talk of the league.

So, was Ventura a bad manager last year or did he just have a team that needed a major overhaul? The front office, to its credit, has added seven new position players who have been the difference in numerous clutch situations this season.

I asked Ventura if he has changed anything from the way he managed in 2015 until now.

"For me, I just come in here and do my job," Ventura said. "I am comfortable in my own skin. I am able to take critical commentary. That is part of the job. In this business, you cannot overreact or do a bunch of crazy things to respond to that stuff or react to it. These guys have done all the work. We got to spring training and kept everybody focused. That was the job for me and the coaches."

Ventura was third in the Manager of the Year voting after his first season in 2012. His club was in first place for 117 days that year before getting caught by Detroit with two weeks to go in that season.

The last three seasons have been bad. His clubs were a combined 62 games under .500 during those dark days. How did the former star third baseman take the negative vibes around him?

"This is a grind game," Ventura said. "I am used to that. For my family in the stands, that probably bothered them. Team-wise, if guys see me react poorly, they would do the same thing. I do what I think is right. If people want me to change, I am not going to dance for anybody like that."

The front office has been firmly behind Ventura from jump street. Rumors of him being replaced were all over the place from last summer on.

"That's OK," Ventura said." That is the nature of the job. The most important thing for me is what is going on in the clubhouse with our guys. I don't always freely put out there what is going on. That is important for the trust factor and our relationship in there. If I have to wear it at times, that is just what you've got to do. I take what goes on in that room very seriously. I don't like to ever break that bond."

As one of the team leaders and the most-tenured player on the team, ace Chris Sale has had his bouts with Ventura all in the name of winning. Two years ago, Sale was sent home for a day. It was over a disagreement with Ventura about the Tigers stealing his signs. The incident was a difference of opinion that eventually brought the two closer together.

"We are both passionate about the same thing," Sale said about their common lust for winning. "Stuff is always going to happen. I like Robin where he is at, I really do. He does not change or get outwardly upset. He is the perfect person for us in the right spot."

Outfielder Adam Eaton has learned a lot about personal and professional growth under his manager the last two-plus seasons.

"He never loses his cool and that is difficult to do when your team is not playing well," Eaton said.

"He's managing the exact same way he did in the past, and now we are winning. Great manager, great player, great person. I am just happy to play under him."

During the Adam LaRoche debacle in spring training, Ventura was being dragged two different ways and managed to keep bosses and players happy.

"He was understanding of us," Eaton said. "He said whatever you guys want to do, be upfront and stick with the team. He was understanding of us and still supportive of his other duties. He was very diplomatic."

Ventura's reaction to the spring training uprising?

"Look, I have been in some weird clubhouses," he said. "Sometimes teams react a certain way. I could relate to a little bit of their feelings. In dealing with them, we knew we would have to play eventually. So, you sit there and have a normal adult conversation with them. The trust has been there. I don't like talking about what happened in there too much. Every manager deals with difficult things during the season. Mine just took place in spring training."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.