The Pirates will interview Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clap for their open managerial job next week, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets. He’ll be the third reported interview for the Pirates, who have already discussed the position with Athletics bench coach Ryan Christenson and Twins bench coach Derek Shelton.
[RELATED: MLBTR’s Managerial Search Tracker]
Like Christenson and Shelton, the 46-year-old Clapp has no experience as a skipper at the sport’s highest level. Clapp, however, was eminently successful as the manager of the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate in Memphis from 2017-18. He led the team to back-to-back Pacific Coast League titles in the role, earning PCL Manager of the Year honors as a rookie skipper. Understandably impressed, the Cardinals promoted Clapp to their big league staff last offseason, when the Rangers considered hiring him as their manager before turning to Chris Woodward.
The Cardinals are once again at risk of losing Clapp, a member of the organization for a large portion of his time in professional baseball. The Canada native was a 36th-round pick of the Cardinals in 1996 who served as an infielder/outfielder with the organization through 2002. Clapp’s only experience as a major leaguer came over 26 plate appearances with the Cards in 2001.
Really pulling for this guy to get the job. If he becomes manager, then maybe Stump Merrill can be the bench coach.
As a Cards fan, I’d hate to see Stubby leave. Especially to an inner division rival. However, I do believe he will make a good manager.
He would make a great Manager. However I would not like him leaving the Cardinals organization.
So if they hire him, can you imagine the headline….. ‘Pirates get the Clapp.’
*crickets*
Lol
Hahahahaha
Rusty Kuntz isn’t available?
First base coach.
Rusty kuntz is working for the Royals as a minor-league liason. he is no longer the first base coach but I don’t think he’d be able to manage….He basically had some eyesight problems that made it hard for him to be first base coach anymore. He didn’t see a ball coming at him and almost got injured.
He’s OK, but I prefer Stimpy Climp.
Ren Hoek for bench coach?
Before Shildt entered the picture, he was for sure the hands-on favorite to supplant Matheny.
Clapp should be the Cards manager.
Why?
Clapp played something like 20 games for AAA Syracuse in 2004. To this day there is a guy in the stands who will randomly scream “STUBBAAAAAAY!”
Otherwise Stubby Kaye will get an interview !!
Nah, somebody dropped a safe on his head at the Acme Factory.
Stubby Kaye died 22 years ago. Pirates are still interested.
lol
I was surprised to not see his name come up sooner this offseason. As a Cardinals fan, I hope retreads rule the day
Is this really his name?
Stubby clapp?
Wow! His parents must have hated him.
His real name is Richard… So Dick Clapp.
Lol…in that case, his parents REALLY hated him.
His middle name is has
A quick google search would have told you this:
Richard Keith “Stubby” Clapp
Probably would have been faster than to reply on here too!
And Richard is long for? Yeah his parents hated him
Richard Keith Clapp,better known as “Stubby the Third,” has a nickname passed on from his grandfather and father. “And if I ever have a kid, he’ll be Stubby the Fourth. He can have all the ridicule I ever had.”
Would be a great hire!!
His given name is Richard Keith Clapp. Which I feel is a thinly veiled accusation towards the Rolling Stones’ guitarist.
Officially, he is “Stubby the Third” his nickname being passed to him by his father as his father before him did. And yes, his oldest son is “Stubby the Fourth”.
Accusation? Did you mean homage?
Or are you saying that Keith Richards is Stubby Clapp’s real father?
As in Keith Richards has the Clapp.
Could be both.
Stubby Clapp sounds like an STD.
Clapp is never going to get a chance to manage the Cardinals. OTOH, managing the Pirates could basically abort his career. The Pirates are simply not going to invest the sort of money needed for a winning team. Even if they come close, they simply will not invest in the team to put them over the top or make a big trade at the deadline.
I’m not insinuating payroll flexibility doesn’t play a major role in increasing a team’s chances to make playoffs, but to suggest a team with little payroll flexibility can’t win is to totally disregard reality. Several low payroll teams make playoffs every year. This year it was Rays, A’s and Twins. In past years, the team we’re discussing has made playoffs with a very low payroll. So that portion of your statement is wholly inaccurate.
As for the trade part of your statement, I would argue making the “big” trade at the deadline is way overrated. Just look at Pirates as an example. In 2015 they didn’t give up the farm to acquire Price from Tampa, but instead dealt away nobody of significance for JA Happ, who ended up out pitching Price for the rest of that year. Conversely, in 2018 Pirates did trade the farm to Tampa for Archer in hopes of making a postseason run and it has proven to be a disastrous deal.
Your entire position is based more on philosophy than facts.
It took me 6 months to get over the Stubby Clapp. The second time. May want to stay away, just sayin’
I’m going to be selfish and say I hope he stays in STL but the Bucs would be crazy not to hire him he is a wealth of knowledge and someone that can take younger players and make them better.
I’m hoping he doesn’t get the job, because i don’t wanna root against Stubby. But he fits a profile of many successful manager. Being he barely had a ML career, long time minor leaguer, rises up through an organization as a coach/manager and gets a gig as a coach on a ML staff.
Good, get rid of him. He’s the worst coach ever. All he does is stand on 1st base. Brings nothing to the team.
As soon as I saw that name I couldn’t wait to see the comments section. You all didn’t disappoint- thank you.
Why would he take a interview with the Pirates? The organization is penny pinching and their minor league system is basically bare with talent. Hayes and Keller are the only names that stick out in the minors. To manage a below average MLB club and have a weak minor league system, that doesn’t sound like attempted success at managing. He’d have better luck interviewing for Cubs or Phillies and being successful. Me personally, I think for someone trying to get their first coaching gig, Pittsburgh Pirates should be at the bottom of the 30 club league (next to Marlins).
As a Pirates fan, someone with past MLB coaching experience will get the job. I have said it since Hurdle got the boot, that man is Jeff Bannister. As much as I am against Bannister coaching the Pirates, it seems logical for the front office to make that type of move. I wouldn’t expect Washington or Baker coaching the Pirates by any means. The front office of the Bucs wouldn’t even pick up the phone for any of those guys. Just look at the roster, that tells you how “smart” the organization is on getting talent to win.
Why? Because there are a grand total 30 of these specific jobs in the world. Even though, right now, the Pirates aren’t considered one of the elite teams to manage, it’s still a desirable job. Especially for someone young cutting their teeth as a big league manager.
Who”s going to get the Clapp? If only Jurgen Klopp was a baseball Manager for the Braves then we could have the Clapp/Klopp series. Is it true Stubby has two brothers called Thunder & Jack? I wonder if he’s related to John Edgar Clapp.
So the Clapp family is on their 4th generation of “Stubby”? I think that got the concept of circumcision all wrong!
I’m surprised it no one has made a joke about a guy named STUBBY interviewing for the Pirates job…..I’m surprise no one has made a PIRATE joke
Had a bad case of that once
Stubby Clapp sounds like something you get from a late night romp with a Kardashian.
I hope the Pirates get the Clapp
Just when you clear one hurdle you end up with the clapp. Life isn’t fair
Are the Pirates really that cheap ? NO DISRESPECT TO STUBBY AT ALL ! But so far we have a bevy of “Old Timer “ mangers who have had very successful career’s ! Guess the owners knows best just ask the Dewitt’s in STL lol . MO is know joke as he hasn’t got a clue lol
Nothing against Schildt, but after all of his Accomplishments in the Cardinals organization, Stubby Clapp should rightfully have been chosen the Cards manager after Matheney. That’s John Mozeliak for you!!!! Underhanded & Untrustworthy!!!!!