Imrem: Ventura, Chicago White Sox always on precarious perch

General manager Rick Hahn reportedly said this week that manager Robin Ventura deserves "a world of credit" for the Chicago White Sox's fast start.

Interesting, considering that for a few years now, Sox players have been credited for victories and Ventura has been blamed for losses.

Not every victory and loss, mind you, but most of them.

That's the direct opposite of the Cubs and their current best record in the major leagues: If they lose the players are blamed and if they win the manager is credited.

Joe Maddon earned that luxury with a decade of positive results, first with Tampa Bay and now with the Cubs.

Meanwhile, Ventura earned the doubts surrounding him after a four-year Sox stint that has been mostly disappointing.

So when the Cubs win, it's like Maddon will never lose again. When the Sox lose, it's like Ventura will never win again.

The Sox on Wednesday dropped their second straight at Texas 6-5, and the fear always is that this is the beginning of the end for them even with a 23-12 record.

And, of course, for Ventura, even though it's difficult to dispute Hahn's assessment of his manager.

After the Adam LaRoche mess in spring training, the Sox's season could have collapsed before it began.

Instead, Ventura helped hold the Sox together and they took off toward the American League's best record through six weeks.

Hahn's remark concerning Ventura can't exactly be considered a vote of confidence because those generally are reserved for managers on losing teams.

So how should Hahn's words, along with the Sox's improved play, be considered for Ventura?

For one, a blessing.

For two, a curse.

The blessing part is that the Sox look good enough to continue playing well and to make the playoffs, meaning Ventura would be in line for a big new contract.

The curse part is that if the Sox fall off and miss the playoffs, Ventura will be blamed and should be fired.

That's the only problem for a manager when players flash how good the team can be, even if it's for only a smallish sample size.

The standard has been established and somebody has to be at fault if it isn't perpetuated.

At the beginning of last season, following a flurry of player acquisitions during the winter, Hahn made another proclamation.

The Sox's GM said that with such a promising roster, everybody in the organization would be held to a different standard.

From there the Sox started poorly, ended poorly and rarely played anything but poorly in between.

Yet Ventura survived. He not only was brought back, but Hahn went out and fortified the roster for him again.

Maybe the thought process was that too much had been invested in Ventura, now in his fifth season as Sox manager, to give up on him at that point.

The difference with the Sox is that you can never underestimate club chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's tendency to support his favorites, and Ventura certainly is one.

All that's needed for all this to be sorted out in a tidy manner is for the Sox to remain in first place and qualify for the playoffs.

That blessing would trump any curse.

If the White Sox fade, however, it'll be interesting to see whether Rick Hahn blames Robin Ventura the way he credited him for the fast start.

mimrem@dailyherald.com