Rick Renteria Cherishing His Role With White Sox

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Through the tunnel walked Rick Renteria, greeted by a warm spring sunshine. He strolled to the top step of the third-base dugout, looked out to U.S. Cellular Field and smiled.

Each day with the White Sox has been a treat for Renteria.

"You wouldn't know what's going on in his life," said Todd Frazier, marveling at the White Sox bench coach. "You always knows he's a happy guy."

Now 54 years old, Renteria broke into the majors in 1986 as a player and started in the coaching ranks in 2008 with the Padres.

Renteria's bright spirits tend to become a staple of each clubhouse he calls home. Players feed off his presence, and he enjoys those relationships he works diligently to build. When White Sox manager Robin Ventura needed a new bench coach after last season, Renteria became an easy choice.

"It's kind of easy to connect with all the guys," Renteria said.

Since joining the White Sox this season, Renteria's smile has been a little wider. He wasn't in the game of baseball a year ago.

Renteria got his chance to become a manager when hired by the Cubs ahead of the 2014 season. His time there was short lived. The Cubs fired Renteria after one season as manager -- a 73-89 campaign -- when Joe Maddon suddenly became available.

The Cubs' core was about to come through their pipeline, and a rebuilding organization was nearing its best days. The Cubs won 97 games in Maddon's first season and reached the NLCS. Now they have the best record in baseball.

Meanwhile, Renteria sat out the 2015 season.

"I don't look into what could've been," Renteria said of the Cubs. "What was, was. I had an opportunity to be there. I did the best that I could, (and) I enjoyed it. I saw those kids coming. Obviously, you always take some joy in watching all those guys getting better.

"It's not necessarily bittersweet, it's baseball. Things happen. I'm in a really good place right now."

With the first-place White Sox, Renteria is making a difference. He's a constant in the clubhouse that's ever present for his players. The fact that he's bilingual is important, too, especially for a team that has several key players like slugger Jose Abreu who speak little English.

The White Sox have seen a major turnaround in defense performance, and while upgraded personnel has been key to that, Frazier offered praise for Renteria, whom the White Sox turn to for the ins and outs of the game.

What all does he bring to the table?

"What does he not bring to the table?" Frazier replied.

"It's like an undercover manager that helps you out with the little things in the game that you'll never see -- and I'm not giving away the secrets."

Everywhere Renteria has gone, players swear by him. His reputation precedes him all across baseball. His steady, positive personality stands out.

Following his firing from the Cubs, Renteria's baseball future was uncertain. He had finally earned a shot as manager, then had it taken away in a unique set of circumstances. The White Sox offered a chance to break back into the big leagues and begin working again.

Perhaps, one day, Renteria will get another chance to manage in the majors.

"Those are things that take care of themselves," Renteria said. "It would be incorrect to say 'No, I don't ever see myself doing that.' Maybe some day. But I don't think about it too much right now."

Shortly after, Renteria continued on with his day's work, jogging out to the batting cage and offering some words for White Sox hitters. There was a doubleheader to prepare for Monday, and he's working with a first-place team. Of course, Renteria is just happy to be back around the game of baseball.

Knowing Renteria, he'll be smiling all season long.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.