(Reuters) - Former Chicago White Sox All-Star third baseman Robin Ventura was named manager of the Major League Baseball club, the team said on Thursday.
Ventura, who was already working as a director of player development for the White Sox, replaces the colorful Ozzie Guillen, who parted ways with the club last month and joined the Florida Marlins.
"When I rejoined the White Sox this June, I said this was my baseball home and that part of me never left the White Sox organization," Ventura said in statement.
"My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Chicago. Managing a Major League Baseball team is a tremendous honor. It's also an opportunity and a challenge."
Ventura was originally drafted by the White Sox in 1998, and played more than 10 years with the organization. He also played for the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers during his 16-year career.
In 2,079 career games, Ventura had a .267 batting average with 294 home runs and 1,182 RBIs.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Frank Pingue)
