Will Venable wins AL Manager of the Year award after huge turnaround with White Sox
The White Sox improved by 24 games in 2026.
Will Venable secured the 2026 American League Manager of the Year award after leading the Chicago White Sox through a remarkable turnaround. In his first season managing, the team won 60 games, a significant improvement from the previous year. By the following season, the White Sox had a two-game lead in the ALDS before their fairy tale season ended.
Venable was named the winner over Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash and Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy. The White Sox improved their win total by 24 games compared to 2025, finishing second in the AL Central. Venable's role in the team's resurgence was crucial, particularly on the pitching side. He utilized openers and bullpen games to give his team an edge, resulting in one of the best offenses in the league.
The White Sox led the league with 776 runs scored in 2026, a substantial improvement from 14th place the previous year. Venable's skills were also evident during the team's surprising playoff run, which included sweeping the Astros in the wild-card round and leading the Guardians 2-0 in the ALDS. With Venable's success in 2026, the White Sox are expected to continue their growth in 2027.
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