On the Managerial Candidates; & Mark Grace and Steve Stone May Return Home
Phil Rogers weighs in on with his speculation on who will be the next Cubs manager: "My guess is the job is [Lou] Piniella's if he wants it, and he probably does."
There's no indication that Rogers has any inside information. Outside of his three years in Tampa Bay, Piniella does have a good -- though not great -- track record.
I do think that Rogers is right about one thing for sure: Jim Hendry will not be hiring Fredi Gonzalez, even though he likes him. Hendry is under pressure to win now. He will make a safe pick. A safe pick does not include someone with no managerial experience (and likely not Joe Girardi either). Plus, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Mike Berardino reported on Monday that the Marlins are likely to move quickly to hire Gonzalez after they dismiss Girardi on Tuesday.
Dave van Dyck says that the main candiates are Piniella, Gonzalez, Girardi, Bob Brenly, and Mets third base coach Manny Acta. Paul Sullivan reports that Hendry wants a manager in place before free agency begins in November. The Cubs won't hire anyone before the World Series ends.
If there's any doubt about whether Brenly wants the job, van Dyck quotes him as saying, "Yeah, I would be interested to at least go in and talk to Jim and see what the future holds for the organization, see what direction they're going to go. Absolutely, I'm interested."
Meanwhile, a couple of alienated figures from the Andy MacPhail era are having their names show up in the Tribune. In the October 2 paper, Fred Mitchell reported that Mark Grace has interest in returning to the Cubs as either a manager (won't happen) or as color commentator (not likely, but plausible). And in the September 29 paper, Paul Sullivan wrote that "former Cubs broadcaster Steve Stone was seen dining recently with John McDonough, the Cubs senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting [and now interim president]. Sources insist it was just a social meeting between old friends, but if Brenly gets a managerial job, the door may be open for Stone's return to the Cubs' TV booth."
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dreaming about managers
A safe pick does not include someone with no managerial experience (and likely not Joe Girardi either)
Why is Girardi not likely? Because he's not a "safe" choice? Guess I'd personally like to see Girardi over Piniella.
But who I'd actually love to see is Stone. Not in the booth, (although he does a great job) but as manager. I know this won't happen, but I can hope right? Stoney is the smartest baseball guy ever, but of course has no managerial experience.
Well you mentioned Grace, which would be a fun commentator. What about Maddux coming back? As a player manager? :o) OK, now I'm really dreaming.
Guess I see a solid starting rotation to have more impact than a manager does, so Hendry should get a manager that will attract a free agent starter.
Girardi and Stone
Why is Girardi not likely? Because he's not a "safe" choice?
Yes. One year -- a year that he couldn't even get along with upper management and ownership -- is too little to fully evaluate someone.
As for Steve Stone managing the club, I don't believe Stone has ever expressed any interest in field managing.
Who do you want to see as the next manager?
Poll question here.
Next manager
I vote for Frank Robinson. If age is a problem, Bob Brenly
Steve Stone and Chip Caray @ Disney Day at Wrigley
Steve Stone's Wiki page...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Stone_(baseball_player)
Chip Caray's Wiki page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_Caray
You know, I've been wondering if Chip's wife is Mrs. Caray or Mrs. Carabina?
Caray was Harry's stage name.
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Photos from Ryne Sandberg Day at Wrigley Field
Meet Ronnie the Collie
Pinella, ugh
Lou was (and is) incredibly popular here in Seattle. But that was for his attitude more than a truly effective job as a manager.
Sure he won, but most of those teams featured Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr, Alex Rodriguez, and Edgar Martinez not to mention pretty good supporting players like Jay Buhner, Carlos Guillen, and Jamie Moyer. Still he never got to the World Series or even had a strong performance in the ALCS. His lack of improvement with Tampa Bay is a better indication of his managerial ability.
There are things he does well, but those who are frustrated with Dusty Baker's in-game decisions and use of the pitching staff will find Pinella has the same flaws as a manager.
To me, a key criteria as a manager is someone who immediately recognizes that despite his impressive totals, Jacque Jones should be a platoon player.
I'd be thrilled to see how Grace, Maddux, or Stone would do. But Stone has never shown any interest in going that direction (i.e., he's never been a minor or major league coach as far as I know), Grace is too green, and I think Maddux is going to re-up with the Dodgers which might make it a bit awkward for him to manage the Cubs.
Of real candidates, Girardi would be my #1 choice. Frank Robinson seems to have made a lot of enemies in Washington.
Re: Pinella, ugh
I don't know enough about Piniella either way, though I've never been that struck by anything he has said as a broadcaster. Thanks for the warning.
To me, a key criteria as a manager is someone who immediately recognizes that despite his impressive totals, Jacque Jones should be a platoon player.
I'd say that's a good bright line test. Do the Cubs have a GM that recognizes that?
I'd be thrilled to see how Grace, Maddux, or Stone would do.
On Maddux, there's no way. He's too rich. Have you ever seen a manager that rich. It happens in the NBA (Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas), but not in baseball.