It's barely been 24 hours since Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced his intention to retire after the season, but many potential successors have already indicated that they wouldn't mind replacing him. Here's the latest on some of the candidates GM Jim Hendry could consider after the season:
- Cubs TV announcer and former D'Backs manager Bob Brenly told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune that he would have interest in the gig, should the Cubs want to discuss anything.
- Cubs bench coach and former Tigers manager Alan Trammell was reluctant to discuss the opening, but told Sullivan that he would revisit it at an "appropriate" time.
- Nationals third base coach Pat Listach told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he doesn't know "anybody on the planet" who wouldn't be interested in managing the Cubs. Listach managed in the Cubs' system for three seasons.
- Joe Torre, who is in the final year of his contract, told the AP that he doesn't expect to manage for a team other than the Dodgers in 2011. However, Torre didn't want to "rule anything out."
- And Ryne Sandberg told ESPN Radio that he is "ready" to manage the Cubs. The Hall of Famer is managing the Cubs' Triple A affiliate.
Wouldn’t mind seeing Bobby V manage with Ryno as his right-hand man. He said on CSN today that he’d rather manage elsewhere than be on the side for the Cubs, though. I’m a lifelong Cubs fan but I have to admit I don’t know anything about him as a manager besides the random clippings he gets in Chicago for getting tossed over in Iowa.
Bobby Valentine?! Are you kidding me? How can you say you’ve been a lifetime Cub fan and not despise everything affiliated with the Mets? Bobby V is a joke and he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the Cubs.
Ryno sounds like he’s ready to go and I think it would be foolish for the Cubs to pass on him and let him go somewhere else; in much the same way they did with Girardi. Ryno has coached many of the the kids playing on the team now and holds his teammates to the high standard we’ve been lacking on this team for some time.
It’s Ryno time.
why would a cubs fan despise the mets ?
is there a rivalry i dont know about it or did the inferiority complex that has plagued the Northeast ( see Boston & Philly ) move its way over to Chi-town?
1969
Coming from someone who lives in the Chicagoland area, the first name that came to my mind when Piniella made his announcement yesterday, was Joey Cora.
I think they should stick with the Second baseman that played for the Cubs. Not the White Sox.
I think they should stick with the Second baseman that played for the Cubs. Not the White Sox.
I think Sandberg’s got it if he really wants it. Can’t see any way they say no to him.
What difference does it really make who manages the Cubs? As long as you have mopes like Tommy Boy Hendry and Crane Kenney running the organization – they just aint gonna do well. The Cubs have very recently brought in top managers like Dusty (who was the hottest manager free agent in MLB when he left the Giants) and Lou. Both Dusty and Lou were able to work some magic the first 2 years, but then, as always, the wheels fell off. And not only did those Cub teams disappoint – they were some of the most pathetic, fundamentally unsound teams loaded with unlikeable players. Hendry just never seems to learn from his mistakes (despite the wealth of material)
I bet Steve Stone would jump at the opportunity if given the chance…
Hope that was a joke in referring to Pinellas comments about Steve Stone.
For a second, I thought it said, “MANNY interested in managing Cubs.” That would be amazing.
Exactly what I read as I was skimming through the headlines. It would be hilarious to see him argue with umps.
Same exact thing I thought I saw. Then I was like “Naw… unless it’s Manny Acta?”
Bob Brendly and Sandsburg are my finally 2 canadaties. me and my dad have been saying it for years now. then all the organization needs to do is promote henery then fire him so G.Maddex can take over.
The dream situation to me would be Bob Brenly as the manager, Ryne Sandberg as the bench coach, and Mark Grace replacing Bob in the tv booth with Len.
The dream situation to me would be Bob Brenly as the manager, Ryne Sandberg as the bench coach, and Mark Grace replacing Bob in the tv booth with Len.
I hate it when Mad Ex’s take over.
Any one know if Buck Showalter is interested in or might be under consideration for the Cubs’ job? He’s supposed to be the front runner for the Orioles’ job, but they haven’t made an offer to him.
Doesn’t matter who’s manages the Cubs, get me some players that know how to play baseball.
Sandberg asked for the job last time and was told he’d need some experience, even if it was in the minors. He said, fine where do I start? They told him all they has single-A Peoria. He took it, then spent two years riding buses, eating hot dogs, and dragging his own infield. He also won a league championship. Then he was promoted to AA–slightly better hot dogs, another championship. Now he’s managing the AAA Iowa Cubs. They’re in first place.
If you tell a Hall of Famer he can have a shot with the big club if he pays his dues in the minors, and he does it, winning a championship at every stop, how could you possibly deny him the job?
From an outsider looking in, shouldn’t the job be offered to you before you say “I’m ready”? Like their are no other candidates up for the job. His resume speaks for itself, there’s no doubting that..
Mike Quade
Mike Quade
Bobby V is a proven winner and there is no debating that. Maybe Cubs fans should think of that before jumping on this Sandberg bandwagon, unless just want him to manage a couple years, get him fired while all the albatross contracts that hendry gave out expire maybe??
BV doesnt have the cajones to do what its gonna take to get things turned around in chicago. Too bad sparky andersons not available. We need an arse eater, someone that will tell these over paid babys how it is and how its going to be. And then he has to be the guy that will sit them if they comply. Sandberg or torre for me. I’d be very happy with torre. very happy
BV doesnt have the cajones to do what its gonna take to get things turned around in chicago. Too bad sparky andersons not available. We need an arse eater, someone that will tell these over paid babys how it is and how its going to be. And then he has to be the guy that will sit them if they comply. Sandberg or torre for me. I’d be very happy with torre. very happy
Bobby V is a proven winner and there is no debating that. Maybe Cubs fans should think of that before jumping on this Sandberg bandwagon, unless just want him to manage a couple years, get him fired while all the albatross contracts that hendry gave out expire maybe??
I think the realistic choices are Bob Brenly, Ryne Sandberg and Allen Trammell
I think the realistic choices are Bob Brenly, Ryne Sandberg and Allen Trammell
Ya gotta let Ryno take a stab at it..Keep Trammel as a bench coach and let maddux become either the GM or the Pitching Coach…Ryno did everything they asked him to, took the boys that will be playing for the next few years and taught them to play ball. Many times Ive seen him use is 3 or 4 hitter to sack bunt, when asked about it he said “My job is to teach these guys to play ball, who knows where they will bat in the majors, they need to be ready” stuff like this shows he has the organization at heart not just a legacy…
Ya gotta let Ryno take a stab at it..Keep Trammel as a bench coach and let maddux become either the GM or the Pitching Coach…Ryno did everything they asked him to, took the boys that will be playing for the next few years and taught them to play ball. Many times Ive seen him use is 3 or 4 hitter to sack bunt, when asked about it he said “My job is to teach these guys to play ball, who knows where they will bat in the majors, they need to be ready” stuff like this shows he has the organization at heart not just a legacy…
If a butt chewer and someone to get players fired up, or run them out of town is what you want.. Even better than Sparky Anderson ins Earl Weaver.. NOBODY is more of a proven winner and butt chewer than “Earl the pearl” Weaver and even at 80, imagine he would gladly spit tobacco juice and take a baseball bat to people like zambrano if they get out of line under his leadership.
Nobody is really mentioning the Girardi possibility, which is frequently mentioned in the media. I’m not saying I necessarily think it will happen, but if he’s interested in leaving the Yanks it would be tough to turn him down. He’s not as revered by fans as Sandberg, but he is a former Cub, has local roots, and has won a World Series as a major league skipper. However, it would probably push Sandberg elsewhere, since Girardi is young and could potentially manage the Cubs for a long time.
I wonder about the possibility of Joe Torre as manager under a 3 or 4 year contract, with Sandberg as bench coach and “heir apparent” after Torre’s contract runs out. Torre’s 70 already, so you wouldn’t expect him to manage a whole lot longer. I don’t know if that idea is realistic or not, but if so, I would endorse it. It would bring in a proven vet now, keep Sandberg in the system for future use, and allow Sandberg to add to his minor league managerial experience with some big league coaching.
Nobody is really mentioning the Girardi possibility, which is frequently mentioned in the media. I’m not saying I necessarily think it will happen, but if he’s interested in leaving the Yanks it would be tough to turn him down. He’s not as revered by fans as Sandberg, but he is a former Cub, has local roots, and has won a World Series as a major league skipper. However, it would probably push Sandberg elsewhere, since Girardi is young and could potentially manage the Cubs for a long time.
I wonder about the possibility of Joe Torre as manager under a 3 or 4 year contract, with Sandberg as bench coach and “heir apparent” after Torre’s contract runs out. Torre’s 70 already, so you wouldn’t expect him to manage a whole lot longer. I don’t know if that idea is realistic or not, but if so, I would endorse it. It would bring in a proven vet now, keep Sandberg in the system for future use, and allow Sandberg to add to his minor league managerial experience with some big league coaching.
Brother, there is no way JG leaves NYC for the cubs. no way possible. nadda.
You play professional sports to be the best, win championships, be the one standing at the top of the hill with everyone looking up at you. He manages the best team in the league with a very bright future and the highest salary in the history of the game. why on gods grean earth would he leave that for chicago? why? He wont. That would have been like lebron going to the clippers or the nets. honestly, JG is staying put. We’ll have some serious discussions with torre and valentine (he’s such a boob!) and sandberg will always be up there at the top of the list. those are the 3 it comes down to.
As I said, the Girardi is not my personal conjecture, but that of certain members of the media, so I thought it was worthy of discussion. I actually agree with you that he would be unlikely to leave NY. But, to play devil’s advocate, here are the possible reasons Girardi could want to leave: He’s already won a WS in NY, and will possibly have won another by year’s end, so there’s not much more to prove in NY (he has shown he can win where many others already have and the team has a financial advantage over everybody else); however, he would be legendary if he came to the Cubs and won a WS, probably even if he just got to a WS (whereas NY has already done as much as it can to disassociate itself with Torre despite the numerous WS titles he won there); aside from that stuff, I believe Girardi’s family still lives in Chicago-land, and he has roots here from his Cubs and Northwestern days. As I said, probably won’t happen, but I don’t think it’s as unrealistic as you seem to.
you also play professional sports for a challenge and what better challenge and accomplishment would it be to coach your boyhood team to its first championship in a century. Girardi definitely seems like the kind of guy that welcomes a challenge and has made it known that he has interest in the Cubs position. And if he did come to the Cubs, he wouldn’t necessarily “leave NYC” as much as NYC would be letting him go.
Sorry about the double post. Not sure why that happened.
Bob Brenly Hands down.. Ryne Sandberg is far from ready… it would be another 3-4 yrs like just like Lou, like Baker, Riggleman, Don Baylor.. Ryne is not the right guy