CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura wouldnt say Wednesday whether hes been offered the chance to return next season and backtracked from an earlier comment that hed like to come back for a sixth season.USA Today reported earlier in the day that the White Sox decided to retain Ventura, if he wants to stay. Citing an unnamed team official, the report indicated that Ventura hasnt told the front office of his 2017 plans.I appreciate all the concern, but like Ive said all year long, Im waiting until the end of the year, Ventura said before his teams game against Tampa Bay.The 49-year-old told reporters last month that he did want to return.I said that a while ago, yeah, Ventura said. Again, were getting to the end of the year before were doing anything.General manager Rick Hahn declined an interview request and a team spokesman said Hahn is not planning to talk to reporters until Monday, the day after the season ends.Ventura, in the last year of his contract, carried a 373-432 record in five years heading into Wednesdays game.The former White Sox player hasnt led Chicago to the playoffs and is facing a fourth consecutive losing season. They sat at 76-81 Wednesday and in fourth place in the AL Central.The White Sox have decided in recent years to add veterans in hopes of contending. They traded for third baseman Todd Frazier last winter and got off to a 23-10 start that included a six-game lead in the AL Central.But the White Sox were 18 games under .500 since.Youre disappointed if youre not going to the playoffs. That part has never changed, Ventura said. Especially with the way we started off, we were excited. You thought it was headed in that direction and then it didnt.The season has also included some bizarre off-field incidents. Adam LaRoche retired in spring training after executive vice president Ken Williams banned his son, Drake, from the clubhouse. Ace Chris Sale was suspended five days in July for tearing up throwback uniforms he didnt want to wear.Sale later criticized Ventura, saying he should have backed him in the dispute with the marketing staff.It was quite a ride. It really was, Ventura said. You just deal with it when it happens. Like I said, every team has its challenges and this one is no different. We had some unique ones, I would say this year. You handle it, you handle it inside the clubhouse and thats my job.Sale, who won his 17th game Tuesday, may have pitched his final game with the White Sox. Hahn has hinted at a rebuild after declaring that the franchise is mired in mediocrity. Sale could return needed high-level prospects.Chicago has made the postseason once since winning the World Series in 2005, and the fan base has expressed growing frustration with Ventura.That is part of the gig, absolutely, Ventura said. I want them to understand that it pains me when we dont win.The White Sox took Ventura with the 10th overall pick in the 1988 draft from Oklahoma State, where he had an NCAA record 58-game hitting streak.The lefty-hitting third baseman spent 16 seasons in the big leagues, mostly with the White Sox and Mets, winning six Gold Gloves and making two All-Star Games.He was a surprise hire as White Sox manager after Ozzie Guillen left following the 2011 season. Ventura, known for his easygoing personality and calm demeanor, guided Chicago to an 85-77 record in his first year and finished third in the AL Manager of the Year voting.But that was followed by a 63-99 mark in 2013. Two more losing seasons followed, and the White Sox entered Wednesdays game one loss away from a fourth consecutive sub-.500 season.Ive always enjoyed Robin. Ive always backed Robin, outfielder Adam Eaton said. I think hes a tremendous manager, people person, communicator. So for me Ive enjoyed my time with him. Id welcome him back. Id love to have him back, but at the end of the day, its up to the higher-ups. Custom Raptors T-shirts . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Authentic Custom Raptors Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. http://www.customraptorsjersey.com/custom-tracy-mcgrady-jersey-large-72h.html . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Cheap Custom Raptors Jersey . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Cheap Custom Raptors Jersey . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. Englishman Matthew Southgate unashamedly admits he was in tears as he walked down the 18th hole at Royal Troon after ending a traumatic 12 months on a high.A year ago the 27-year-old had to watch the tournament on television after undergoing surgery having been diagnosed with testicular cancer.Having impressively bounced back with a fourth place at the Irish Open 10 months later he eclipsed that with a final-round 69 at the 145th Open Championship to secure a top-15 finish.Words cannot describe how that felt walking down that last hole, Southgate said. Sixty-nine is a hell of a score for me on a day which meant so much.I knew where all the family was and there was a big tear rolling down my face when I reached the front of the 18th green. Ive wanted to do that since I was 10 years old and to get out there and do it words cant describe.I always had the belief inside me Id get over the health issues and be back in an Open Championship but to do it within the year and to have my family here ... it is a big achievement for me.If you had asked me laast year Id have said it was possible for me to qualify but to finish up there comfortably in the top 20 no one would have had a £1 bet on that.ddddddddddddSouthgate managed to make his way through the three stages of qualifying school at the back end of last season and he believes his illness has had a positive effect in some respects.I have got so much better psychologically as a golfer. I think it [cancer] has helped me as a person off the golf course, on the golf course not so much because I am so competitive, he added.Every day is a fight for me and when I walk to that first tee it is like a boxer getting in the ring -- I know I am going to get hit but I am going to hit just as hard back.Ive taken a few on the chin this week and thrown a good few back and to finish under par in an Open Championship is something special. So for any youngsters out there who want to do it just go for it and stick with your dreams. ' ' '