The Chicago White Sox have decided who will take over a dugout that just experienced one of the worst seasons in MLB history.

The team is hiring former MLB outfielder Will Venable, currently the associate manager of the Texas Rangers behind Bruce Bochy, as their next manager, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. Venable replaces Pedro Grifol, who was fired in August.

The news came out on Tuesday evening, on Venable’s birthday. It also broke right after the New York Yankees’ Game 4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, so never let it be said that the White Sox didn’t make headlines during the 2024 Fall Classic.

Venable, 42, played 967 games with the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers during a nine-year MLB career, building a reputation as a great presence in the clubhouse even while working as a fourth outfielder.

After his playing days came to an end, Venable joined the Chicago Cubs as a special assistant to then-team president Theo Epstein. He served as the team’s starting coach for the next three seasons. In 2021, Venable served as bench coach for the Boston Red Sox and in 2022 he joined the staff of Bochy’s Rangers.

Venable became World Series champions in 2023, when the Rangers won the Commissioner’s Trophy for the first time in franchise history.

What can Will Venable do for the White Sox?

Venable won’t get off to a hot start on the South Side of Chicago, to say the least.

We don’t need to go through every little shame the White Sox suffered in 2024, but it comes down to losing the most games in MLB history, with a record of 41-121 with three losing streaks of at least twelve games . One of those lasted 21 games and tied an AL record.

Every facet of the White Sox was a disaster in 2024. Their lineup? It scored the fewest points in the MLB, with 507, nearly 100 fewer than the second-worst Miami Marlins. Their baserunning? Bottom 10 in the league based on Fangraphs base runs. Their rotation? It ranked 25th in the MLB in ERA, at 4.62, despite two good arms in Garrett Crochet and Erick Fedde. Their bullpen ERA? Third worst in the MLB, at 4.73. Their fieldwork? Dead last in defensive runs saved, at minus-87.

Venable has a lot of work to do, but he can only do so much with the people most responsible for the Sox’ 2024 season still in place. Jerry Reinsdorf still owns this team and almost certainly can’t be expected to spend the money needed to turn the franchise into a perennial contender, and general manager Chris Getz has been a key part of the team since 2017 the team’s front office.

Still, Venable can do some good by maintaining a positive clubhouse as the team prepares for another rebuilding year.