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Ventura says he declined contract extension

Most people in sports jump at the security of a long-term deal.

Robin Ventura isn't one of them.

The White Sox manager revealed Wednesday that he turned down a one-year contract extension, preferring to see how the final two years of his three year deal progress.

"It's flattering and nice and everything," Ventura told reporters in Glendale, Ariz. "But in talking to Rick (Hahn, the general manager), we have two more years to do this. We have good communication and everything is fine. I think this is my contract. I was the same way as a player. I'll worry about it at the end of it."

In his first season as manager, Ventura led the White Sox to a 85-77 record, good for second place in the American League Central.

However, Chicago folded down the stretch. Holding a three-game lead on Sept. 18, the White Sox lost five in a row and eight out of nine to drop two games behind the Detroit Tigers. Chicago never got closer than a two-game deficit in the season's final week.

Ventura had no managerial or coaching experience in pro baseball before he landed the job prior to last season.