Will Venable, the 43-year-old manager of the Chicago White Sox, might not be leading his team into the 2026 MLB postseason if his childhood dream had materialized. Instead of coaching, he could have been on the bench of a NCAA basketball tournament team, chasing the Final Four rather than the World Series. This alternate reality shows Venable’s extraordinary athletic versatility, a trait that has defined his career from college to the majors and now into the dugout.
From Basketball to Baseball: A Late Switch That Changed Everything
Venable’s journey began on the basketball court.
Despite his basketball prowess, Venable’s path took an unexpected turn. His father, Max Venable, a former MLB player, sensed his son’s potential in baseball. “Max told me he thought Will would eventually switch,” said Scott Bradley, then-Princeton’s baseball coach. “He had this feeling—something about Will’s athleticism and competitiveness.”
That feeling proved prescient. After a freshman year focused on basketball, Venable transitioned to baseball in his sophomore season. His initial attempts were rocky: five consecutive strikes in a batting cage, followed by five pop flies. “I immediately called my assistant,” Bradley recalled. “I said, ‘This kid has real potential.’”
The Dual Sport Star: A College Legend in Two Sports
Venable’s college career proved he could adapt. By his senior year, he was an All-Ivy League selection in both basketball and baseball, a feat matched by only one other player in conference history. “He was a complete athlete,” said Chris Young, a future Padres teammate. “In basketball, he could drive to the basket and score. In baseball, he had the instincts to read the game.”
His basketball highlights include a 21-point performance at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium. Yet, his NBA aspirations faded because he was not a pure shooter, preferring to drive to the rim. “Basketball was my passion,” Venable admitted, “but baseball became the sport that fulfilled my competitive spirit.”
MLB Career: From Drafted Star to Defensive Anchor
Venable’s professional baseball career began in 2005 when the San Diego Padres selected him in the seventh round.
Over nine MLB seasons, Venable accumulated a WAR of 13. His career spanned stints with the Padres, Cubs, Red Sox, and Rangers, including a World Series win with Texas in 2023. “He had the heart of a competitor,” said former teammate Young. “That’s why he transitioned so smoothly into coaching.”
From Player to Manager: A Leadership Evolution
Venable transitioned to management without difficulty. After coaching roles with the Cubs, Red Sox, and Rangers, he took over the White Sox in 2025, inheriting a team that had posted 121 losses the previous season. By his second year, he guided them to the postseason and a series breakthrough for the first time since 2005, a feat that earned him consideration for the AL Manager of the Year award.
Venable’s ability to connect with players, honed during his time as a player, has been a key factor in his managerial success.
Legacy in the Making: A Coach Rooted in Athleticism
While Venable’s baseball career is well-documented, his basketball legacy remains a footnote.
As the White Sox aim for another postseason run, Venable’s story shows the versatility of elite athletes. His journey from potential NBA star to MLB manager shows both his adaptability and his passion and perseverance.
The next major milestone for Venable is the announcement of the AL Manager of the Year. His success with the White Sox has already solidified his place among the league’s top coaches, but the award would mark a new chapter in his career.
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