Former White Sox third baseman and manager Robin Ventura is going back to school. And he’s getting back into baseball.
Ventura is returning to Oklahoma State, where he had a record 58-game hitting streak as a collegian, to complete his degree. While he’s there, Ventura will serve the baseball program as a student assistant in a coaching capacity, the program said Tuesday.
‘‘I’m really excited to do this,’’ Ventura said in a news release. ‘‘Oklahoma State and Cowboy baseball is special. I wanted to do and be somewhere that meant a lot to me, not just the baseball part. I love baseball and coaching and being a part of that, but being at Oklahoma State adds an extra layer of specialness to me.’’
“I kind of pinch myself because it’s a lucky spot that I’m in right now. This place is very special to a lot of people.” — Robin Ventura, on returning to #okstate as a student assistant pic.twitter.com/Atx1dvLgpD
— OSU Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball) January 14, 2020
Ventura, 52, was a two-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner who managed the Sox for five seasons (2012-16).
Oklahoma State coach Josh Holliday lauded Ventura for his desire to complete his degree and giving back to the school that launched his career.
‘‘Robin Ventura will enhance the lives of our players,’’ Holliday said. ‘‘His experiences inside the game of baseball as a college player, major-league player and major-league manager provide rare and unique perspective to all of us inside the program.’’
‘‘The people here are family to me, this place means a lot to me and the program means a lot to me,’’ Ventura said. ‘‘All of it came together with Josh’s help and Josh’s wishes, and being with this staff . . . makes it very exciting to be back here.’’
