Renteria has 'no hard feelings' for Cubs
Former manager looks ahead to bench coach job with White Sox
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Rick Renteria said he has no hard feelings toward the Cubs, who dismissed him after a 73-89 season in 2014 and hired free-agent manager Joe Maddon.
In a conference call with the media on Wednesday to introduce him as the new White Sox bench coach, Renteria said he was "totally and completely happy" with the opportunity to manage the Cubs.
"To get on the field as a manager with the Chicago Cubs, it was a great experience," Renteria said. "Anybody that's been in that arena knows change sometimes occurs, even as abruptly as it might have seemed. Things happen.
"There are no hard feelings," Renteria said. "When you step away from it a little bit and you reflect, it's just a business. It's just baseball. It doesn't take away from anything that I believe we brought to the table at the time. I'm looking forward to moving on. That's done."
White Sox manager Robin Ventura initiated the conversation regarding Renteria possibly joining his staff last December. Now, Renteria will be back in Chicago, just on the south side of town. It did take him some time to get over the dismissal.
"It would be foolish for anybody that's doing something and have given themselves to a task to not feel like you get the wind blown out of you a little bit," Renteria said. "You take a step back. You regroup. I'm sure that there was no intent on anybody's side to create a difficult situation. It was what it was. Quite frankly, that's something in the past."
Renteria said he didn't want his departure to be the story regarding the Cubs, but have the focus be on the positive things that were going on with the team.
Maddon did reach out to Renteria, who responded via text message.
"There was really no need for us to speak," Renteria said. "He was going through a lot with that whole transition with the Cubs. Again, obviously, everything went very, very well and we're very happy for everybody that was there."
Being away from baseball for a year was tough. Renteria said he's excited to back on the field.
"Obviously, we all know the game is always going to be about the players, but hopefully, we as coaches and staff can impart something that will help them move forward," he said. "Hopefully, that's what I'll be able to do as part of the new staff here [with the White Sox]."