Will Venable, the man at the helm of the Chicago White Sox, just snagged the 2026 American League Manager of the Year award, and honestly, the Baseball Writers Association of America had no other choice. This guy orchestrated a jaw-dropping 24-win improvement from one year to the next and actually guided the White Sox to their first postseason appearance since 2021. That’s not just good managing, that’s a straight-up magic trick.
From Unthinkable Lows to Unbelievable Heights
You want to talk about a rebuild? Venable took over a team that was in a deep, dark hole. Let’s not mince words: the White Sox were a train wreck. In 2024, they logged a hideous 41-121 record, a modern-era baseball record for losses. Yeah, you read that right, 121 losses. And it wasn’t just a one-off. They lost 101 games in 2023 and then followed up with 102 losses in 2025. But that’s when Venable stepped in. In his first season, 2025, he already sparked a 19-win improvement. Then, in 2026, he somehow added another 24 wins, pushing them to an 84-78 record. It’s truly wild: his White Sox are the first team in history to reach the postseason after suffering at least 100 losses in the previous two seasons. Talk about a comeback for the ages.
A Tight Race for Top Honors
Venable didn’t just walk into this award. He had some serious competition, beating out Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash and Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy. Venable got 15 of the 30 first-place votes, totaling 111 points, while Cash was right on his heels with 12 first-place votes and 98 points. Tracy rounded out the top three with 47 points. Cash’s Rays had a stellar year too, improving by 21 games to win the AL East with an AL-best 98 wins after finishing fourth in 2025. And Tracy? He took over the Red Sox mid-season after Alex Cora got fired with a 10-17 record, then went 77-58 and secured the second AL wild card. Impressive stuff all around, but Venable’s historic turnaround just couldn’t be ignored. He now joins some legendary White Sox managers who’ve also won this award, like Ozzie Guillen in 2005 and Tony La Russa way back in 1983.
This award isn’t just a pat on the back for Venable; it’s a statement. It tells the league that no matter how low a team can fall, a savvy manager can absolutely turn the ship around. For the White Sox, after years of absolute misery, this 2026 season and Venable’s award are huge. It shows a future, something the fans probably hadn’t dared to dream about in years. What a story!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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