Saturday served as another spring marker for the Chicago White Sox and rookie manager Will Venable as they opened the Cactus League season against the Chicago Cubs.

A rousing rendition of the national anthem was being performed by a local Arizona woman prior to the White Sox 7-3 loss to the Cubs on Saturday afternoon when manager Will Venable paused briefly to take in the atmosphere at Sloan Park.

The White Sox's holdover veterans need to elevate their production to help avoid a third consecutive 100-loss season. Andrew Benintendi's finish to '24 is a good start.

Will Venable leaned against a fence, watching left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert throw during a bullpen session. Moments later, pitcher Mason Adams walked over and gave a fist bump to the new Chicago White Sox manager.

As first-year White Sox manager Will Venable begins to introduce himself to Chicago baseball fans, you can probably already state this about him with certainty: He’d beat any other MLB manager on the basketball court.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Managers matter, but only to an extent. Some teams win without the best ones in the seat; others overachieve because of them.

"To see [the vision] play out over the last couple of months and now here in camp has been amazing," new manager Will Venable said.

Newest White Sox player Joey Gallo showed his respect for manager Will Venable and it left plenty of fans excited.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- Wednesday marked the first day of spring training workouts for White Sox pitchers and catchers in Glendale, Arizona. The Sox are truly looking for a fresh start this spring training after a record-worst 121 losses last season.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Mike Tauchman celebrates after scoring a run on a single from third baseman Christopher Morel during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 5 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Tauchman goes into spring training with the White Sox.

Venable said he’s settling in nicely as spring training gets into full swing, using what he learned from mentors like Bochy about relating to players. “It’s been great, and it’s continuing ...