Someone in the White Sox dugout Friday at U.S. Cellular Field wondered if manager Robin Ventura stopped shaving when his team started winning on its recent trip.
With a familiar smirk, Ventura shook his head as he proudly stroked the salt-and-pepper stubble he doubted would survive the weekend because of the arrival of his wife, Stephanie.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Ventura asked.
Sure, but not as much as the growth Ventura's Sox showed in July, especially the last week. Ventura drew criticism when the Sox spent the first half as the American League's most disappointing team, so in fairness, he deserves credit now that his steadiness has helped steer the season back toward relevance.