Helena Frye
Will Venable is an American professional baseball coach and former player. He is the manager of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB) and has played for the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Dodgers. However, in high school and college, Venable was a talented basketball player and considered a career in the sport. He played college basketball for Princeton, where he earned first-team All-Ivy League honors and recorded over 1,000 points. Venable even considered himself more likely to become a professional basketball player than a baseball player.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Dion Venable |
| Date of Birth | 29 October 1982 |
| Height | 6'3" (190 cm) |
| Weight | 200-205 lbs (90-92 kg) |
| Position | Guard |
| Teams | San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Career Appearances | 918 games |
| Career Home Runs | 81 |
| Career RBIs | 307 |
| Career Bases Stolen | 135 |
| Career Batting Average | ~.249 |
| Career Points | 1,010 |
| Career Assists | 253 |
| Career Steals | 155 |
| Current Role | Manager of Chicago White Sox |
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What You'll Learn
Will Venable's high school and college basketball career
William Dion Venable, born on October 29, 1982, is an American professional baseball coach and former player. He is currently the manager of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).
During his high school years, Venable saw himself as a future professional basketball player rather than a baseball player. He was a four-time letterman in basketball, a three-time letterman in baseball, and a one-time letterman in track and field. He was a standout basketball player at San Rafael High School, earning recognition as the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) Most Valuable Player in basketball during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. As a sophomore, he led his team to the MCAL League Championship.
Venable chose to attend Princeton University, attracted by its tradition of basketball excellence and its consistent participation in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Tournament. He excelled in basketball at Princeton, earning a spot as a first-team All-Ivy League selection during his junior year when he led the Tigers to a 13-1 Ivy League record and the league championship. He averaged over 10 points and played over 30 minutes per game during his sophomore through senior seasons. He recorded over 1,000 points (1,010), 155 steals, and 253 assists during his college basketball career.
However, Venable's passion for baseball was rekindled during his time at Princeton, and he eventually chose to pursue a professional career in baseball over basketball. He played college baseball for two years, during which he achieved impressive batting averages and earned All-Ivy League honors. His exceptional performance in both sports made him the second athlete in Ivy League history to earn first-team All-Ivy League honors in both basketball and baseball. Ultimately, Venable's decision to focus on baseball paid off, as he went on to have a successful nine-season career in the MLB.
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Venable's transition from basketball to baseball
William Dion Venable, born on October 29, 1982, is an American professional baseball coach and former baseball player. Venable's transition from basketball to baseball is an interesting story. In high school, Venable saw himself as a potential professional basketball player rather than a baseball player. He was a standout basketball player in high school, earning San Francisco Bay Area All-Metro basketball honours in his sophomore and junior years and being named the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) most valuable player in basketball three times. Venable chose to attend Princeton University primarily for its basketball tradition.
However, his mother, Molly, objected to him quitting baseball, and his father, Max Venable, a former MLB outfielder, also had a sense that his son wasn't done with baseball. During his freshman year at Princeton, Venable focused solely on basketball and did not play baseball. But at the end of that year, he expressed a desire to return to baseball, and his baseball coach, Scott Bradley, welcomed him back. Venable's passion for baseball was rekindled, and he began to excel in the sport. He became the second athlete in Ivy League history to earn first-team All-Ivy League honours in both baseball and basketball.
Venable's baseball career took off when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the seventh round of the 2005 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with the Padres in 2008 and played for them for nine seasons, as well as for the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished his career with a +.249 batting average, 81 home runs, and 135 stolen bases. Venable's transition from basketball to baseball was influenced by his family's encouragement and his own realisation that he had greater potential in baseball. He has since found success as a baseball coach, becoming the manager of the Chicago White Sox in 2024.
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Princeton University's basketball excellence
Princeton University has a long tradition of basketball excellence, which is what initially attracted Will Venable to the institution. Venable, a talented basketball player, chose Princeton over other universities due to its reputation and record of success in the sport. During his time at Princeton, Venable excelled in both basketball and baseball, becoming the second athlete in Ivy League history to earn first-team All-Ivy League honours in both sports.
Princeton University's basketball team, the Princeton Tigers, is a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA Division I and the Ivy League. The university has one of the largest and most successful athletic programs in these competitions, with about 18% of undergraduates participating in varsity sports. The Tigers have consistently proven their prowess, with players like Blake Peters, who scored 25 points in a victory against Pennsylvania, and John Poulakidas, who scored 13 points in a close game against Yale.
Venable himself was an exceptional basketball player during his time at Princeton. He averaged over 10 points and played for more than 30 minutes per game during his sophomore through senior seasons. In one memorable game at Cameron Indoor Stadium in 2005, Venable put up impressive numbers, scoring 21 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out three assists, matching the performance of All-American JJ Redick.
Venable's talent extended to baseball, where he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 15th round of the 2004 MLB draft and later by the San Diego Padres in the 7th round of the 2005 MLB draft. He went on to play for the Padres, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing his versatility and skill in both sports.
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Venable's career as a baseball coach
William Dion Venable, born on October 29, 1982, in Greenbrae, California, is an American professional baseball coach and former player. He is currently the manager of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Venable played college basketball for Princeton, where he was the second athlete to earn first-team All-Ivy League honours in both baseball and basketball.
Venable's baseball career began when he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 15th round of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft and the San Diego Padres in the 7th round of the 2005 MLB June Amateur Draft. He made his professional debut in minor league baseball with the Arizona League Padres in 2005, hitting a remarkable .322 batting average in 15 games. The following year, in 2006, he was named the Padres' Minor League Player of the Year. With his father as his hitting coach, Venable excelled with the Fort Wayne Wizards of the Single-A Midwest League, earning both mid-season and post-season MWL All-Star honours.
Venable made his major league debut with the Padres in 2008, initially as a centre fielder before transitioning to right field in his second season. He went on to play for the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, concluding his playing career in 2016. During his time with the Padres, Venable stood out for his speed and power, ranking among the National League leaders in triples and stolen bases. In 2013, he was voted the Padres' Most Valuable Player, becoming the eighth player in franchise history to achieve at least 20 home runs and 20 steals in a single season.
Following his playing career, Venable embarked on a coaching journey. He served as the first base coach for the Chicago Cubs and later became the bench coach for the Boston Red Sox in 2020. In 2021, he managed his first MLB game, filling in for Alex Cora. Venable's coaching abilities were recognised by the Texas Rangers, who hired him as an associate manager in 2022. Ultimately, in 2024, he was appointed as the manager of the Chicago White Sox, marking a new chapter in his baseball career.
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Venable's baseball career highlights
William Dion Venable is an American professional baseball coach and former player. He is the manager of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Venable played college basketball for Princeton, where he was the second athlete to earn first-team All-Ivy League honours in both baseball and basketball.
In high school, Venable saw himself as more likely to be a professional basketball player than a baseball player. He was a second-team San Francisco Bay Area All-Metro basketball player for San Rafael High School as a sophomore and junior. As a senior, he gave up the responsibility of being a point forward. Venable chose to attend Princeton University for its tradition of basketball excellence.
During his collegiate career, he was part of teams that qualified for two postseason tournaments, the 2002 National Invitation Tournament and the 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. He was a first-team All-Ivy League selection as a junior when he led Princeton to a 13-1 Ivy record and the league championship. He was a second-team selection as a senior. Venable recorded over 1,000 points (1,010), posted 155 steals and 253 assists. He averaged 10.6, 10.3 and 10.5 points per game in his final three seasons.
Venable made his professional baseball debut in the minor leagues with the Arizona League Padres in 2005. He was soon promoted to the Eugene Emeralds of the Single-A Northwest League. In 2006, he was the Padres Minor League Player of the Year. He posted a 0.314 batting average, .389 on-base percentage (OBP), and .477 slugging percentage for the Fort Wayne Wizards of the Single-A Midwest League (MWL). He earned both mid-season and post-season MWL All-Star honours. He finished his nine-year career with three teams, the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He played in 918 games, with 81 home runs, 307 RBIs, and 135 stolen bases.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Venable played basketball in high school and was a standout player at Princeton University, where he earned first-team All-Ivy League honours. He was the second athlete in Ivy League history to achieve first-team All-Ivy honours in both basketball and baseball. Venable averaged over 10 points and played over 30 minutes per game during his sophomore to senior seasons. He recorded over 1,000 points during his college basketball career.
In high school, Will Venable saw himself as more likely to become a professional basketball player than a baseball player. However, he ultimately chose baseball over basketball. Venable's mother, Molly, is credited with convincing him not to give up on baseball, and his father, Max, also encouraged him to continue playing.
Will Venable is known for his successful college basketball career at Princeton University. He was a key player in Princeton's basketball team, helping them qualify for two postseason tournaments: the 2002 National Invitation Tournament and the 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. He received the B.F. Bunn Trophy in 2004-05 for his outstanding sportsmanship, play, and influence on Princeton's basketball team.
Will Venable played the position of guard in college basketball.
