Will Venable Named Sporting News Manager of the Year

The Chicago White Sox skipper earns top honors after leading the team to a significant regular-season turnaround.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Baseball

Will Venable Named Sporting News Manager of the Year

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Sporting News has named Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable the American League Manager of the Year. The 43-year-old skipper was recognized by his peers following the team's impressive 84-78 finish in the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The award honors Venable for engineering a massive reversal for a franchise that had endured three straight seasons of at least 100 losses. The turnaround from a 60-102 record represents a major shift in the club's competitive trajectory.

Venable is the sixth White Sox manager to receive this honor, which has been awarded by the Sporting News since 1936. The 84-78 record marks a sharp improvement over the club's performance in recent years.

The players

Will Venable

At 43 years old, he served as the manager of the Chicago White Sox during the 2026 season.

Ozzie Guillen

He is a former White Sox manager who previously won the Sporting News Manager of the Year award in 2025.

Cleveland Guardians

This team faced the White Sox in the 2026 ALDS and ultimately defeated them.

The details

Venable successfully managed the team by heavily utilizing the bullpen, relying on a strategy that incorporated openers and bulk starters throughout the campaign. Despite the team's regular-season success, the White Sox ultimately exited the postseason after losing to the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS.

1936 marked the year the Sporting News began presenting Manager of the Year awards.
2025 was the last time a White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen, won this award.
2026 was the season Will Venable managed the Chicago White Sox.
October 22, 2026, was the date the Sporting News announced the winner.

Season Trajectory

This award marks a significant milestone in the White Sox's recovery from a multi-year period of severe struggles. By ending the streak of 100-loss seasons, Venable has shifted the competitive balance of the division as the team looks toward future postseason contention.

The manager's heavy reliance on a flexible bullpen throughout the season served as the core tactical driver for the team's 84 wins. This strategy highlights a shift in operational philosophy that will likely influence roster construction and pitcher usage patterns moving forward.

The takeaway

Venable's recognition highlights how strategic bullpen management can catalyze a rapid turnaround for a struggling franchise. His approach serves as a modern blueprint for teams aiming to rebuild their competitiveness using specialized pitching roles.