The Chicago White Sox pulled a stunner Thursday, naming former All-Star third baseman Robin Ventura their manager.

Ventura, 44, played for the White Sox from 1989-98 and was appointed special adviser to the club's director of player development Buddy Bell in June.

Like his predecessor and former teammate Ozzie Guillen eight years ago, he takes the White Sox job with no managerial experience in the big leagues or minors.

Said general manager Ken Williams, in a statement released by the club:

"When I met with the media as our season ended, I identified one person at the very top of my managerial list. I wanted someone who met very specific criteria centered around his leadership abilities. Robin Ventura was that man. His baseball knowledge and expertise, his professionalism, his familiarity with the White Sox and Chicago and his outstanding character make him absolutely the right person to lead our clubhouse and this organization into the seasons ahead."

Ventura played a total of 16 years in the big leagues, retiring in 2004 in part because of lingering issues with a long-injured ankle. His other teams were the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Extremely popular with the fans in his playing days in Chicago, he won six Gold Gloves and hit 294 home runs in his career.

"I am excited to begin my career as a manager surrounded by former teammates, staff, media and White Sox fans I know very well," Ventura said in the club's release.

Ventura's lack of experience as a manager, or even big-league coach (which Guillen was before assuming the White Sox job in 2004) are sure to be questioned. He has done some television work for ESPN as an analyst at the College World Series.

The thoughtful Californian will likely present quite a different public personna that Guillen, who frequently created controversy with his comments.