Former White Sox pitcher Freddy García will make his managerial debut this season, taking the helm for Samanes de Aragua in Venezuela’s highest-level professional league (LMBP). The team made the hiring official on Tuesday.
“I am quite happy for this opportunity,” García said in a press release (translated). “I want to thank president Carlos Guillen, Fryddman Álvarez, and the entire Samanes team for allowing me to be manager of a professional team for the first time.”
García, 47, pitched for 15 years in the majors with seven clubs before announcing his retirement in 2016. The right-hander finished his career with a 4.15 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 6.4 K/9 in 2,264 career regular-season innings. He also had a 3.26 ERA in 11 playoff starts, winning a World Series title with the White Sox in 2005.
Although this will mark his first season as a manager, García has already been in the Samanes dugout for the past two seasons as an advisor to the coaching staff and board of directors.
“In these two years, I think what has affected us the most has been the pitching,” García said. “Last year, we were one of the best in hitting, but one of the last in pitching. If we improve that aspect, we could talk about the team becoming champion.”
García isn’t the only member of the 2005 team taking on a managerial role this season. Former closer Bobby Jenks was named the manager of the Windy City ThunderBolts earlier this offseason, making this his second managerial stint after winning the Pioneer League championship with the Grand Junction Rockies in 2022.
All of us here at Sox On 35th wish both García and Jenks the best of luck as they prepare for their respective seasons!
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