Oklahoma State baseball: Robin Ventura joins staff as student assistant

Former Oklahoma State third baseman and College Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Ventura joined Josh Holliday’s staff as a student assistant, the program announced Tuesday. Kendall Rogers of D1 Baseball first reported the news.

“Robin Ventura will enhance the lives of our players — his experiences inside the game of baseball as a college player, major league player and major league manager provide rare and unique perspective to all of us inside the program,” OSU head coach Josh Holliday said in a release. “When Robin expressed interest in coming back and finishing his degree and joining our coaching staff, it was exciting. In addition to being an amazing player, Robin is an amazing person, teammate and leader who understands people and what a successful organization is all about. He brings people together and has a love for OSU that led him back to campus.

“What a statement about the value of finishing your degree and giving back to the school that helped launch your career. We have a very special coaching staff that will provide our players an amazing experience and a perspective on the game unlike any other in the country.”

Ventura was a three-time All-American at OSU from 1986-88, and won the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy. He went on to play 16 years in the MLB, where he was a six-time Gold Glove winning third baseman and two-time All-Star. He also managed the Chicago White Sox, whom he started his career with, from 2012-16.

The addition of Ventura gives Holliday two former MLB players on his coaching staff along with his brother, Matt Holliday.

“I’m really excited to do this,” Ventura said. “For me, I could do quite a few things, but Oklahoma State and Cowboy Baseball is special. I wanted to do and be somewhere that meant a lot to me, not just the baseball part — I love baseball and coaching and being a part of that — but being at Oklahoma State adds an extra layer of specialness to me.

“The people here are family to me, this place means a lot to me and the program means a lot to me. All of it came together with Josh’s help and Josh’s wishes and being with this staff and guys who I’ve known a long time makes it very exciting to be back here.”

Ventura is also a member of the Oklahoma State Athletics Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.