As the White Sox clubhouse emptied of players and their belongings Sunday evening, some players who lingered expressed both sadness at the Robin Ventura era coming to an end and hope the team will be better when they return next year under new leadership.
Ventura said he understood the team needed a "new voice" when he announced his departure Sunday after five seasons as manager, and Sox left-hander Chris Sale said he respected that sentiment. He said players discussed what they can alter next year to put a better product on the field than the one that finished 78-84.
"If you're going to make a big change, something drastic needs to happen," Sale said. "You can't do the same things over and over and expect things to change. More than anything people should look at what he said and respect that. Not all people can stand up in these lights and say that. You have to have respect for him.
"Over the last five years he did everything in his power to help us win games, honestly. Obviously it didn't work out as planned, but he wasn't exactly given two aces out of the gate. He did the best with what he had, and I'm appreciative of that."
Ventura wasn't one to air out issues with players in public, but he had a couple of disputes with Sale that made headlines, most notably when Sale cut up throwback jerseys he didn't want to wear in July. Sale said then that Ventura needed to back his players, but he has since downplayed the conflict and did so Sunday.
"That doesn't mean I don't like him or he didn't like me," Sale said. "We always had the same goal, the same vision, the same passion. You get a bunch of guys in the same room, and the testosterone is pumping. Sports are competitive. Things happen, but that doesn't change what I think of him personally. He's as good as they get."
Closer David Robertson used the word "sad" to describe Ventura's departure. But like Sale, Robertson expressed hope the team can come back better next season, even in the face of speculation the Sox could consider a rebuild.
"It has been a heartbreaking season for sure, but I'm definitely looking forward to next year," Robertson said. "There is a lot of talent in this room, and next year maybe we'll be able to put it together."
Sale said he doesn't think he will be traded in the offseason _ and doesn't want to be. That means he'll need to get used to new leadership under bench coach Rick Renteria, who is expected to be named manager. Sale called Renteria well-respected, genuine and competitive.
"If you walked around this clubhouse, he would have the respect of every single person in here," Sale said. "I don't know 100 percent if we're going one way or another, but it wouldn't be a bad starting point."
Robertson said he's "excited" to work for Renteria.
"I think he's a good manager, and I'm excited to see what's in store for us when we get to spring next year," Robertson said.
