White Sox skipper Venable named AL Manager of the Year

Last Updated: November 10, 2026By Chuck Freeby

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable has been named the the 2026 American League Manager of the Year in his second season with the club. Voting was conducted by the Baseball Writers of America.

The White Sox entered 2026 with three straight 100-loss seasons, including a modern record of 121 losses in 2024. They lost 102 during Venable’s debut effort in 2025, although they put up signs of improvement throughout a 28-37 showing after the All-Star break.

Venable’s crew started 2026 at 1-5 during an opening road trip to the Brewers and the Marlins and lost 13 of their first 19 contests. Belief was not lost for a special performance, and the White Sox ultimately finished with 84 victories.

“This group in Spring Training developed a belief in each other,” Venable said during Tuesday’s award show on MLB Network. “Then they went out and did it.”

He instilled a culture that preached preparation and playing hard for every out, and those principles were evident whenever the White Sox took the field. Venable oversaw an offense that finished fifth in the Majors in runs scored (776) and home runs (211). That was the South Siders’ second-most runs scored since 2008 and their most homers in a single season since 2012.

Venable’s incredible work on turning the White Sox into a playoff club makes him the sixth man in franchise history to win this honor. That ties Chicago with Cleveland for the most Manager of the Year Awards by any franchise.