GLENDALE, Ariz. – Coolly dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt and jeans, the new manager of the Chicago White Sox sat atop an aluminum picnic table and held his first media session of spring training outdoors.

He didn’t curse, rant, make headlines or bold predictions.

This was different. This was Robin Ventura, 44, about as far as one can get from Ozzie Guillen.

On Wednesday, Ventura and the White Sox began a new era, opening camp for the first time since 2004 without Guillen, their sometimes irascible, sometimes lovable, always entertaining former manager, who took his act to Miami with the Marlins.

Ventura hasn’t managed before – at any level – and his hiring in October caught Chicago fans off guard. He’s grateful for the chance to succeed Guillen, the only White Sox manager to win a World Series since 1917. But Ventura doesn’t see himself as anything special, just the next guy in line.

“I don’t look at it as that I’m replacing him,” said the laid-back Californian. “I can only look at it that I’m just happy to be in this position with the White Sox. You’re talking about a guy who played here, managed and won a World Series. Until all that stuff happens, I’m proud of what he did and it’s just move forward.”

Ventura felt spring’s renewing powers for 16 seasons as a player. He’s now experiencing them from a new perspective, from the view of the man calling the shots.

“Spring’s fun,” he said. “You get back here, and you’re starting over. You’re starting back new. It’s different as a manager, seeing the differences of being ready to come as a player and physically being ready.

“I think this is more mentally being ready to deal with 25 guys instead of just dealing with yourself.”

The White Sox won’t have their first full workout until next week, giving Ventura more time to figure out what to include in the first clubhouse speech he gives his players.

“I know what I basically want to say as far as them understanding who I am and what’s expected,” he said. “I don’t have it all written out. I know what I want to say, which I will do on the 28th when everybody is here. I can’t waste all my material right now.”