White Sox’ new regime brings new philosophy

While holding back tears before the last game of the 2011 season, Greg Walker offered an interesting reflection.

“It’s been a tough few years on all of us,” Walker said. “Nobody involved in this organization the last three years has not been beat up.”

From 2009-11, the White Sox were highly paid — and highly unproductive.

And after missing the playoffs for the third straight season, you knew big changes were coming.

They started when manager Ozzie Guillen bolted for the Marlins with two games left on the schedule.

And when the 79-83 record was officially in the books, Walker hit the exits along with third-base coach Jeff Cox.

Bench coach Joey Cora followed Guillen to Florida.

So the Sox have a new manager in Robin Ventura, a new bench coach in Mark Parent, a new hitting coach in Jeff Manto and a new third-base coach in Joe McEwing.

Pitching coach Don Cooper is back with a new contract extension, and bullpen coach Juan Nieves and bullpen catcher Mark Salas also return.

And don’t forget about Mike Gellinger, a 1982 Fremd High School graduate.

Gellinger does it all for the White Sox. He’s technically still the computer scouting analyst, but Gellinger also helps with hitting and fielding.

In the winter of 2010, the Milwaukee Brewers were looking for a new manager and Cora got an interview.

Had he gotten the job — which ultimately went to Ron Roenicke — Guillen said Gellinger would have been his new bench coach.

Let’s take a closer look at the new additions:

Mark Parent:

The first thing you notice about the former major-league catcher is his size. At 6-feet-5 and 250 or so pounds, Parent commands attention. He was getting it from the first day of spring training.

When Ventura addressed the full squad for the first time earlier in camp, he stressed playing hard and being accountable.

Parent is on hand to make sure the directive is followed.

“I am sure (Ventura) will get his points across pretty quick,” reliever Matt Thornton said. “If he doesn’t take care of it, I’m sure Mark Parent will be right behind to slap you upside the head. Not many people in here are willing to take that challenge.”

Ventura tapped Parent because he was a big-league catcher for 13 seasons and knows the game inside and out. He also managed at Class AA Reading in the Phillies organization last year, going 74-68.

Parent has been working with catchers A.J. Pierzynski and Tyler Flowers on making quicker throws during stolen base attempts.

Jeff Manto:

Unlike Parent and McEwing, Manto does have major-league experience.

He was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ hitting coach in 2006-07 and knows how hard the job is.

“It’s all about results,” Manto said. “When the guys aren’t hitting, people want to know why, and that falls on the hitting coach. It comes with the job.”

Manto spent the last four seasons as the White Sox’ minor-league hitting coordinator, so he knows all about young players like Dayan Viciedo, Brent Morel and Alejandro De Aza.

Early in spring training, Manto spent most of his time getting to know veterans Adam Dunn and Alex Rios.

Like Walker, Manto has an easygoing nature and is not afraid to put in long hours. And rather than tear down and rebuild swings, Manto lets individual hitters work from their own comfort zone.

If Dunn, Rios and Gordon Beckham come out swinging this season, Manto is going to get a lot of credit. If they don’t, critics will be calling for Manto to be fired by the all-star break.

Joe McEwing:

He was a high-energy player and McEwing hasn’t changed his style since becoming the Sox’ third-base coach.

Ventura and McEwing were teammates with the New York Mets in 2000-01 and have been close ever since.

Like Parent and Manto, McEwing always had to work hard and do the little things to earn a roster spot as a player. He never forgot the hard lessons when he was managing and serving as a hitting coach in the White Sox’ minor-league system, and McEwing hasn’t changed in his new job.

“We’re all basically the same player, grinders, not silver spoon-type players,” McEwing said. “We had to work for everything we got. We’ll bring that to the guys, that’s all we know. Grind it out and get the best out of what we’ve got that day.”

sgregor@dailyherald.com