The Mark Graham Sports Blog's posts tagged Ryne Sandberg

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• Ryne Sandberg To Talk To Cardinals

  November 02, 2011

  The Philadelphia Phillies have given Ryne Sandberg permission to talk to the St. Louis Cardinals regarding their managerial vacancy.

  Ryne Sandberg, the Phillies AAA manager, was once regarded as the heir apparent to the Cubs manager job until Wednesday when Theo Epstein said Sandberg will not be interviewed. Sandberg was a finalist to replace Lou Piniella as Cubs manager, but the job ultimately went to Mike Quade.

  Sandberg is a legend in Chicago and would be a huge coup if the World Champions can get him as manager. Sandberg, who spent his 15 of his 16 years with the Cubs, has a .285 career average and, when he retired, had the record for most career home runs by a second baseman with 277.

  Sandberg is regarded as a manager in waiting and has had great success in the minors. He won the Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year in 2010 with the Iowa Cubs and his Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs made it to the International League finals losing in four games.

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• Cubs Fire Quade: Now What?

  November 02, 2011

  Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs have fired manager Mike Quade after just one full season at the helm. Quade compiled a record of 95-104 after taking over for Lou Piniella late in the 2010 season. The Cubs went 71-91 this season in Quade's only season as manager.

  One week into his new job, Theo Epstein is cleaning house and appears to be bringing in his own guys. Who do the Cubs and Theo turn to now?

  Theo Epstein has always been an admirer of Ryne Sandberg and could be on his shortlist for managerial candidates. Except, Theo Epstein said during the press conference Ryne Sandberg isn't a candidate. The Cubs are looking for people with managerial or coaching experience in the Majors. I think overlooking Ryne Sandberg is a huge mistake. Sandberg is a manger in waiting and what better place to start where he is a legend. Ryne Sandberg will get a managerial job sometime in the near future whether it be Boston or Philadelphia, after Manuel retires. Joe Maddon was overlooked for numerous jobs before he got his current gig in Tampa. Now he is regarded as probably the best manager in baseball.

  An interesting name to look out for is Terry Francona. Francona has the experience. Check. He has worked with Theo. Check. So it just makes sense that the Cubs should just give him a look. Theo seems to be bringing his guys and Francona is one of his guys. Francona also says that he wants to manage next season, so I think the odds are better than average that Francona gets the Cubs job.

  Then of course there seems to be the hottest name going around in the managerial vacancies, Rays bench coach Dave Martinez. Martinez will get a managerial job, no question about it, but the Cubs look like they want a former manager rather than a great bench coach with no experience. Odds are that Martinez doesn't go to Wrigley.

  Another one of Theo's guys could be on the list, Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum. Sveum served as third base coach, a horrible one at that, in Boston while Theo was there. Sveum is going to be interviewed by Boston, so, presuming Sveum doesn't go to Boston, Sveum would more than likely get at least an interview with the Cubs. I give Sveum fair odds that he lands in Chicago.

  Lastly, another one of Theo's guys, Boston Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale. Hale probably won't get the Red Sox job considering they want to shake things up from last year and Hale's hiring wouldn't do that. Hale is well respected by his players and by Theo Epstein. Granted Hale doesn't have managerial experience, but he was one of Theo's guys in Boston, so I give DeMarlo Hale a great shot at the job.

  At the end of the day, I think Terry Francona gets the job because of his relationship with Theo Epstein and his track record. Francona and Epstein will try to recreate magic at the Friendly Confines.

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• Who Wants To Be Red Sox Manager?

  October 01, 2011

  Terry Francona is now just a memory in Red Sox lore and the search for his replacement will soon start. But who does Boston turn to to get them out of this excruciatingly long two year playoff drought (Sorry Pirates fans). Do they go with a current or former manager who can add discipline inside the clubhouse or do they go with say a bench coach who is an up-and-comer and his overdue for a managerial job. Here are my choices that the Red Sox brass should consider to fill the big shoes of Tito Francona.

   

  • Willie Randolph- Orioles Bench Coach

   

  I know what you are thinking, why replace the manager of the team who had the biggest September collapse with the manager who led the team who had the second largest September collapse. The 2007 New York Mets had a seven game lead with 17 to go but lost 12 of the next 17 and the NL East crown. Perhaps, Randolph will most be remembered for leading a team to an epic collapse but lest we forget in 2006, Randolph led the Mets to a tie for the best record in baseball with their crosstown rival Yankees. Since the Mets fired Randolph they have not posted a winning record and much of the blame for the Mets woes are squarely on Fred Wilpon. I still think, with the right team and ownership around him, Willie Randolph can still get it done as manager.

   

  • Dave Martinez- Rays Bench Coach

  Dave Martinez, Joe Maddon's right hand man, has been the rays bench coach since 2007 and in that time the Rays have turned a complete 180 in their franchise. Martinez is a former Major Leaguer not far removed from the game (retired 2001) and can relate to the players in the clubhouse a little better. Also, the Rays seem to win with nothing. Imagine if he came to Boston with all the talent that they have it could be a great move by Boston.

   

  • Bobby Valentine- Former Mets manager current ESPN analyst

  Bobby V's name has been floating around it seems with every managerial vacancy and I can see why, Valentine seems to be a likable person and has a fiery personality which will give the Red Sox some much needed discipline. On the other hand, Bobby V's record isn't all that great, 15 years 1,117-1,072 and just two postseason appearances (1999 and 2000). Valentine has made it no secret that he would like to return to the game and this could be the last time is name gets floated around.

   

  • Tony LaRussa- Current Cardinals manager

  This one seems to be a long shot but LaRussa could be a free agent after the season (pending on whether the option will be picked up). LaRussa is a winner, period. If the Red Sox somehow get LaRussa, he will be sure to bring Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan along. Duncan is regarded as being one of the best pitching coaches in baseball and with a pitching staff that imploded down the stretch, Duncan's expertise will be greatly needed.

   

  • Ryne Sandberg- Phillies AAA manager and Hall of Fame shortstop

  Ryne Sandberg is known as one of the greatest shortstops to play the game and a hot managerial prospect. So why not hire a guy who is long overdue for a managerial job. I understand the reservations of hiring someone for a large market team with no Major League managerial or coaching experience but he has done a great job within the Cubs and Phillies minor leagues and some say Charlie Manuel's heir apparent. Sandberg however would much prefer the Cubs job if Mike Quade gets fired so it is very unlikely he goes to Boston

   

  • Jason Varitek- Red Sox Catcher

  This one is WAY out there but here me out. Tek doesn't have much left in the tank and is very well respected within the team. Ideally former catchers make better managers, such as Joe Torre, Mike Scioscia, Joe Girardi, Connie Mack, etc., and people think Varitek is already a manager in waiting so why not. I mean if Jake Taylor can do it in Major League II why not Varitek.

   

  Whoever gets this prime job will be under a huge microscope that is the Boston media. So to whoever gets the job I say...... Good Luck to ya, Buddy.

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