May 9, 2005......Here's a broadcasting mention from CHICAGOSPORTS.com:
Fill-in Ventura will reserve criticism . . . as best he can
Don't look for Robin Ventura to be as controversial as Steve Stone when he fills in for White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson during a three-game series at Tampa Bay starting Monday.
"I don't think I need to go out there and criticize any of Ozzie's moves," Ventura said, referring to his ex-teammate, manager Ozzie Guillen.
"Unless he makes a bonehead move."
Ventura is in his first season of retirement and coaching his children's teams in Arroyo Grande, Calif. He has no intention of returning to the majors in any capacity.
"I'm doing a favor for someone and that's the end of it," he said.
Harrelson, recovering from surgery to repair a detached retina, is expected back Thursday.
May 8, 2005................Don't forget Robin will be broadcasting Monday, Tuesday & Wed. White Sox games on Comcast.
May 5, 2005........Robin will be doing more broadcasting for the White Sox! This is from whitesox.com-
On the air: Donn Pall and Robin Ventura were announced as replacements in the television broadcast booth for Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, as the veteran play-by-play man recovers from Wednesday's surgery to repair a detached retina in his right eye. Pall joins Darrin Jackson for the final two games at home against the Royals and the three-game weekend set in Toronto, while Ventura teams up with Jackson for next week's three games against Tampa Bay, ending the six-game road trip. Harrelson is expected back for the start of the four-game home set against the Orioles.
Pall, 45, was 21-19 with a 3.45 ERA in 255 appearances with the White Sox. He also pitched for the Phillies, Yankees, Cubs and Marlins over his 10-year career. Ventura, 37, retired this past offseason after a stellar 16-year run, including a stint with the White Sox from 1989 to 1998. Ventura made his broadcasting debut on March 21, when he filled in for Jackson during a Spring Training White Sox telecast.
April 25, 2005........Check out the new shot above! It's from THE SANTA MARIA TIMES. They had a a great article about Robin on 4/24. Click HERE to read it.
March 23, 2005.....Here are a few more broadcasting blurbs for your enjoyment:
CHICAGO SUN TIMES
BACK HOME: Robin Ventura toured the Sox' spring training complex before going on air as Ken Harrelson's guest color commentator on the Comcast SportsNet television broadcast. He met with a number of old teammates, now coaches, in Guillen, Greg Walker, Joey Cora and Raines.
For now, Ventura is content with being a basketball coach for his three daughters and a T-ball coach for his 6-year-old son. The urge to coach on the big-league level, though, does exist.
"It's definitely tempting just because the group that is there,'' Ventura said. "But for right now, I'm pretty content just to hang at home and getting the summer to kind of hang out with the kids.''
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Former Sox third baseman Robin Ventura said he doesn't miss baseball after 15 seasons. "It was very easy," Ventura said of his retirement. "I knew I couldn't be there [for spring training]." Ventura, 37, served as a commentator on Comcast SportsNet's telecast of Monday's game. He has spent most of his time coaching his four children. He said he might need ankle surgery. ...
March 22, 2005........Here's a little blurb from MLB.com about Robin broadcasting the White Sox game yesterday......
On the air: Don't look for Robin Ventura to make Monday's foray into the White Sox broadcast booth with Ken 'Hawk' Harrelson a permanent gig any time in the near future. He's more than satisfied spending time with his wife and four children after retiring from baseball following the 2004 season. "I figured it would be fun to come here," said Ventura, who was filling in for Darrin Jackson as the analyst for the Comcast SportsNet broadcast of Monday's game against Arizona. "I realized I won't have to talk much. Hawk will take care of it for me. I can trust him. "It's nice to see the guys that are (coaching) with the White Sox right now. It's a good group that I basically played with. It's fun to sit down and talk with them." Ventura, who batted .274, with 171 home runs, 741 RBIs and five Gold Gloves at third base during 1,254 games with the White Sox, already had planned to be in Tucson on Monday for his work with the Prostate Cancer Charity of Major League Baseball. He flew back home Monday night, despite requests for an extended stay from manager Ozzie Guillen. "This is all I'm going to do," said Ventura of his one-day broadcasting job. "(Guillen) wants me to spend a week here, but I told him I'm not living with him." Coaching T-ball and leading two of his daughters' youth basketball teams to recent championships is about as much coaching as he wants to do presently. But Ventura admitted that working with Guillen was a tempting possibility. "For right now, I'm content hanging at home with the kids," Ventura said.
March 6, 2005......Good news to report today!!! Check it out:
From whitesox.com
Moving behind the microphone: Darrin Jackson's prior commitments will prevent him from taking part in four of the television broadcasts on Comcast SportsNet during the station's 20-game spring schedule. So the White Sox have turned to Robin Ventura in a pinch-hitting role. Ventura will join Ken "Hawk" Harrelson in the booth for a game against Arizona on Mon., March 21. Ventura, a two-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner at third, retired after the 2004 season, his 16th in the Major Leagues. He played the first 10 seasons with the White Sox and was part of the 1993 American League West championship squad. Currently, Ventura resides in Santa Maria, Calif., and has spent a great deal of time coaching his daughters' youth basketball teams.
Feb 3, 2005......Its almost time for Spring Training- anyone else feel like something (or someone) is missing?
Anywho....click HERE to see pix of Robin @ the Scoop Nunes Memorial Dinner from Jan 22nd.
October 20, 2004
Robin's hometown paper, The Santa Maria Times has a nice story (and pic) about him today. See below......
Every player has his day
By Malia Spencer/STAFF WRITER
"Inspirational" and "a role-model for the youth of Santa Maria" were just two of the phrases used to describe Righetti High School graduate and retired professional baseball player Robin Ventura.
The Santa Maria City Council began its Tuesday meeting on a light note with a proclamation commending Ventura for his distinguished baseball career and work for local charitable organizations
"Because of Robin's unassuming character and professionalism both on and off the field, he has been an inspiration to many of us here in Santa Maria as well as a role model for our local youth - and we can only hope for more Robin Ventura type role models for our younger generation to emulate," Mayor Larry Lavagnino read to the council.
Ventura was also awarded a key to the city and Lavagnino unveiled a conceptual drawing of the Robin Ventura Youth Baseball Training Park, that will be located at the Rotary Centennial Park.
The two-time All Star said a few words and thanked the council and everyone who supported him growing up in the Santa Maria Valley and throughout his career.
Ventura announced his retirement from baseball on Oct. 12 after playing in major league ball for 16 years. He won six golden glove awards, hit 294 home runs, 1,182 RBIs and had a .267 batting average.
He played with the Chicago White Sox, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, and finished his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
October 17, 2004........Hola! No news, but I started scanning some old pix. Click here to see three pics from Spring Training 2000. I'll have more galleries up over the next few weeks.
October 14, 2004...........Well, not much to say this evening. I started a page where you can read all the retirement related articles.
