Phillies third base coach Dusty Wathan interviewed with the Marlins and Royals about their managerial vacancies this past week, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury reports. Wathan has been fitting these interviews in between gaps in the Phils’ postseason schedule, speaking with Miami last Sunday (the day after the Phillies clinched their NLDS matchup with the Braves) and the Royals on Thursday (between Games 2-3 of the NLCS).
Wathan has never managed at the Major League level, but he did amass quite a bit of dugout experience in the minors from 2008-17, managing affiliates at five different levels of Philadelphia’s farm system. He was also a candidate for the Phillies’ managerial post prior to the 2018 season, and after that job went to Gabe Kapler, Wathan still received a promotion to the MLB coaching staff as the new third base coach.
Following the 2018 season, Wathan interviewed for the Rangers’ managerial opening that was eventually filled by Chris Woodward. Now, the 49-year-old Wathan is again on the radar for teams in need of a new skipper, with the Kansas City job adding some particular intrigue given Wathan’s longstanding ties to the organization.
A veteran of 14 seasons in the minor leagues, Wathan’s only MLB experience came in a Royals uniform, as he appeared in three games during the 2002 season. Beyond that cup of coffee, Wathan also carried on part of a family tradition in Kansas City, as his father John spent 47 years with the organization in a wide variety of roles, including player (from 1976-85) and manager (1987-91). The elder Wathan only just retired at the end of the 2022 season, and Dina Blevins (John’s daughter and Dusty’s sister) still works for the Royals as part of their community impact department.
Wathan is the third known candidate to interview with the Royals in their search for Mike Matheny’s replacement, joining bench coach Pedro Grifol and Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro. Grifol and Quartraro are also candidates in Miami, and both have received a second interview for the position.
Given that the Marlins are already in the second-interview phase, it would seem like they’re relatively close to making a decision on their new manager, though there haven’t been a lot of public details about the team’s search. Cardinals bench coach Skip Schumaker is also reportedly one of the leading contenders for the job, though it isn’t known if he has also gotten a second interview, or if the pool of Schumaker/Grifol/Quatraro could comprise a group of finalists. Former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons also interviewed with the Marlins, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (Twitter link), but it doesn’t appear that Gibbons is still under consideration.
I’m very conflicted. Dusty more than deserves a shot but I would hate to see him go [and be a better manager than Topper].
I know what you mean. Philly Rob has been great, and I have faith in him, but really Dusty, Long and the entire coaching staff have worked wonders. Dusty is going to be good.
Of course Dusty has the right to go for the interviews, but Middleton should double any offer he receives. Same thing for Long.
Agreed, but I feel Dusty in particular wants to manage.
Dang…
I’ll reiterate: the Marlins are NOT hiring a white manager. Grifol probably gets that job.
Man, what a stupid statement.
Chim. He’s right.
It makes sense to hire a Latino manager for that team in that community.
Correct. Politics.
Interestingly, in 30 years in Miami the Marlins have had four latino managers (Tony Perez, Freddi Gonzalez, Edwin Rodriguez, Ozzie Guillen) yet both of their World Series Championships were Helmd by old white guys (Jim Leyland, Jack McKeon). At the end of the day i imagine the Marlins will hire whoever they believe is best for the job, not best for political fan fiction
With logic like that I don’t know what else I can say except lol.
What color was Mattingly? What color is Skip Schumaker? How about Matt Quatraro? Espada is Hispanic. Have you seen a picture of Pedro Grifol? https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/coach-pedro-grifol-of-the-kansas-city-royals-poses-for-a-news-photo/512500834
This just in: Marlins name a white guy Manager…
They sure did and I’m totally shocked. Politics hasn’t fully infiltrated baseball like I thought. Egg on my face!
wesstl & retired advisory role, enjoy being muted.
Ok thanks!
Are you enjoying it?
Yeah I am so far. I actually liked trumbos posts everyday but life goes on.
Wathan should have gotten the job before Kapler….but the “then” GM was, shall we say inefficient….Phillies would now be in a run of 4 straight playoffs…..
Not dissing Philly Rob, cause we’re a win from the WS….just saying in the alternate universe…..Klentak would, well nevermind…just no Klentak..
Dusty’s father John Wathan played 10 seasons with and then managed the Royals for parts of 5 seasons (1987-1991) and had one 2nd place finish (1989) and one 3rd place finish (1988) in the AL West. Dusty came up for a very brief stint as a player for the Royals in 2002 going 3-5 in 3 games. It seems the Kanas City Royals are in the Wathan family blood.
I’m surprised by the fact this article doesn’t even mention one of the top three candidates for the Marlins’ manager job in Joe Espada. Also, I haven’t heard any reports on a second interview for Grifol.
I’d hate to see him go but it’s what happens…it’s a part of the game! I’m sure he will get a shot somewhere, due to his track record , and if he does, good luck to him! He will always be Phillie. I guess he has some animosity towards the club for not giving him the opportunity. He was talked about being Phillies manager going back to.before Kapler, when he came over from the reading to the Phillies big league club. Good luck Wathan
Wathan was born in Florida and grew up in Missouri while his dad was managing the Royals. For me, it would be amazing to manage where my father had done so while I was growing up.
Aww would love to see Gibby manage again.