Sox’ Ventura refreshingly different

Robin Ventura thought he was finished with his formal pregame media briefing Sunday morning.

Then a Japanese reporter came up to ask the White Sox manager what the key was to his team’s surprisingly good standing at the all-star break.

“I don’t know,” the Sox’ manager initially said.

Then Ventura applied his customary deadpan sense of humor by adding, “I might be the smartest guy in the league.”

Having listened to Ventura since he started playing for the Sox in 1989, I thought his next line might be, “Acquiring Kevin Youkilis a couple weeks ago made me even smarter.”

Instead, Ventura made sure the foreign reporter understood that he was kidding: “No,” he said, as in no, he wasn’t the reason for the Sox’ success.

Ventura is refreshing, and not just because he’s in his first season ever on any level as a manager, nor because he isn’t like his wild and crazy predecessor Ozzie Guillen.

Unlike many Sox operatives in many capacities past and present, Ventura doesn’t try to give the impression he invented the game.

He’s just, well, different.

Ventura refused to assess his performance to this point and said, “I have a boss that does that.”

Ventura did emphasize that he wants to keep on keeping the game simple — be prepared, execute fundamentals and play hard.

“That’s my focus ... it might as well be theirs,” Ventura said.

That isn’t every manager’s focus. Tony La Russa, who retired from the Cardinals after winning the 2011 World Series, recorded the second-most victories in history by sometimes making the game agonizingly complex

Ventura might be just as intense as La Russa. He just doesn’t demonstrate it as openly ... though he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes late in Sunday’s 11-9 loss to the Blue Jays.

“He had to let (the umpires) know,” Sox’ outfielder Alex Rios said with a chuckle.

Ventura’s laid-back style has worked well enough so far that the Sox are in first place in the American Central by 3 games over Cleveland and 3½ over the favored Tigers.

“Probably,” Ventura said when asked whether he was a better manager now than on Opening Day. “I would think that would be natural.”

The Sox certainly are better than most analysts predicted when the season began. The question is how much of that can be attributed to their manager.

Is Ventura the reason Rios and Adam Dunn are experiencing comeback seasons? Is he the reason Gordon Beckham appears more relaxed? Is he the reason Jake Peavy is healthy?

Who knows? All anybody can tell for sure is this is Ventura’s first season as a manager and the White Sox are in first place at the all-star break.

Ah, but the tough part is ahead as the pennant race commences for real.

At some point in some game, Sox players will look to the front end of the dugout expecting their manager to think of something to get them out of a jam or a slump.

Like any big-league rookie in any position, Ventura still has to prove that he can win — or at least help win — something significant.

“You’re always learning,” Ventura said. “I don’t think I know it all. Every day I’m a little more comfortable.”

Whether Robin Ventura can remain comfortable in the uncomfortable environment of the stretch run just might determine how the White Sox’ season winds up.

mimrem@dailyherald.com