New White Sox manager Robin Ventura is making a gutsy call by making little-known Hector Santiago his closer. I say, bravo.

Ventura told me a couple weeks ago, when the contest seemed to be between veteran left-hander Matt Thornton and young right-handed prospect Addison Reed, that he "might go off the board.'' He said it with a sly smile, so I couldn't be sure if he was kidding.

Turns out he wasn't. Santiago wasn't even in the mix at the time. But now it is clear that this is what Ventura was talking about. Ventura picked the guy with 5 1/3 innings last year who wasn't even known to be part of the equation two weeks ago. Santiago converted his first save chance to get the White Sox's first win Friday night, but of course there's a long way to go. It is hard to know if a pitcher has what it takes to be a closer.

I talked to Thornton and Reed when I was in the White Sox camp, and Reed -- another one with no real major-league experience -- struck me as a kid who had the makeup to do the job. Thornton, who understood he failed last year as a closer, has been good in every role but that one in his career. No sense risking him in the ninth again. Reed should be the second choice, if needed.

It's all new territory. Santiago and Reed are rookies. For that matter, so is Ventura.

White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper loves the lefty Santiago's screwball. Some might call the choice screwball. I say no way. Good call by Ventura.