Should Braves need a manager, I’d consider these guys
Today’s discussion of Bobby Cox leads inevitably to another discussion: If not Cox, then who?
Were I running the Braves and in the market for a manager, I wouldn’t feel bound to recycle the usual names. (Jim Riggleman, Jerry Narron, et al.) Unless I could convince Terry Francona to leave the Red Sox — and I don’t think John Henry and Theo Epstein would let him — I’d look to two coaches.
Neither of them is Terry Pendleton, and here’s why: I think he’ll be a very good manager someday, but I don’t think the man coming after Cox needs to have apprenticed under Cox. (This also applies to Fredi Gonzalez and Ned Yost.) There’s a sense of sameness about the Braves — how could there not be, this manager having been in place 19 years? — that I wouldn’t be sorry to see dissipate. I’d look outside. I’d consider:
Brad Mills, bench coach, Boston Red Sox: He has worked alongside Francona, who was his college roommate, in both Philadelphia and Boston, and I consider the Sox the new model organization. (The Yankees just spend; the Sox spend wisely.) Boston isn’t afraid to dump big names — Nomar, Damon, Manny — and isn’t bound to anything except trying to win the World Series every single season.
Loading ...The Boston approach to actual baseball is similarly forward-thinking. The Red Sox take pitches and work the count. They rely so heavily on statistical data they even hired Bill James as a consultant, and Mills is one of the few actual baseball men who’ll use the word “sabermetrics” in conversation. I’m not saying the Braves don’t look at numbers — they do, every day — but few teams look harder than Boston.
Jose Oquendo, third-base coach, St. Louis Cardinals: He’s the velvet glove to Tony La Russa’s iron fist. He was a utility player of immense value — remember him pitching four innings, the first three scoreless, against the Braves in a 19-inning game in May 1988? — and is considered the leading candidate to succeed La Russa. (Pendleton’s name comes up often in that conversation, you should know.) But maybe La Russa isn’t yet ready to retire, and maybe Oquendo is ready to run a team of his own.
He has forged a bond with Albert Pujols, which isn’t as easy as you might think: Pujols can be prickly. That speaks well of Oquendo’s people skills, and also of his eye for value. (Pujols is a rather important Redbird.) And studying under La Russa is among the better ways to learn. Some baseball people despise La Russa for presenting himself as this high-falutin’ Man of the Arts, but he’s smart and he’s analytical and he was among the first to deploy stats as a weapon.
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135 comments Add your comment
Fruit of A Good Tree
June 18th, 2009
3:55 pm
Mark, what is wrong with a guy that has won at every stop? He has a reputation as a teacher, and his teams play a non Earl weaver style of baseball.
Why wouldn’t you want a guy with a winning record?
Baldwin
June 18th, 2009
3:56 pm
Terry Pendleton is my choice. He is a younger Bobby Cox with more energy.
BHG
Durham, NC
Carly
June 18th, 2009
4:00 pm
John Smolz Bwhaaaaaaa haaaaaaa
Robert
June 18th, 2009
4:05 pm
“Why would you hire Jimy Williams? I mean, really.”
Because of you hired Jimmy Williams to manage, then Cox wouldnt be managing any more
Robert
June 18th, 2009
4:05 pm
“MB – what about Russ Nixon? I bet he’s available”
Another guy better than Cox
Robert
June 18th, 2009
4:06 pm
Mr Bradley, I’d hire YOU to manage the Braves if it got Cox the heck outta the dugout
Millwood
June 18th, 2009
4:08 pm
Ted Turner was pretty good. Bring him back.
Curtis Jones
June 18th, 2009
4:10 pm
How about Don Sutton? It would get him off the radio.
Political Man
June 18th, 2009
4:14 pm
How can any of us observers/fans have a clue about the next manager? Who has time to analyze the way other teams play on a play by play basis. It’s takes a shrewd baseball man to really see beyond the superficial. Like Dimitroff did with Smith. Maybe the Boston guy or the St. Louis guy would be right for the job. I do feel that Cox is needs replacing. He just does not have the drive anymore or the willingness to make the tough choices.
Adam
June 18th, 2009
4:21 pm
Bring in Davey Lopes (a winner who can teach baserunning and loves the speed game) to manage…. Keep Eddie Perez in the bullpen/Escobar coach…. Glenn Hubbard XLNT with fielding and 1B coach…. Bring in Wellman to coach 3B and light some rosin bag grenades!… Bring in Manny Acta as bench/Escobar coach…. Bring back Leo Mazzone as pitching/relievers must throw STRIKE 1 coach… Go to California and pay Rod Carew whatever it takes to be the hitting coach!
nelson
June 18th, 2009
4:23 pm
We are going to get serious on this issue, , if you do not have a good thing to say does not come the item to say stupidities my candidates are 1 : Brad Mills / 2 : jim fregossi / 3 : ned yost / with the departure of cox , remove all those coachs at all, and put as coach of pitching : leo mazonee.
the truth...
June 18th, 2009
4:26 pm
I think Bobby missed his calling….he should have slapped FreeMikeVick around…no waste of energy there….
Kent
June 18th, 2009
4:36 pm
Tony Gwynn.
Adam
June 18th, 2009
4:38 pm
Only problem with Gwynn is that he would want to keep Cadahia so they could sumo wrestle in the dugout.
steveh
June 18th, 2009
4:39 pm
I’m not saying Terry Pendleton ought to be the replacement for BC when Bobby finally decided to hang it up. However, to say that TP will not be a good manager because he is not a good hitting coach is ridiculous. That is a case of comparing apples and oranges if I have ever heard one. I am not saying Terry Pendleton is or is not a good hitting coach. I think that is debatable. However, everyone who has been around him will say that the guy is going to be a very good manager one day. He knows the game, has great instincts for the game, and has been a proven leader. His qualities as a hitting coach have NOTHING to do with his ability to be a good manager. That’s like only hiring airline pilots who happen to be good plane mechanics too.
country boy
June 18th, 2009
4:45 pm
I don’t know who should manage the Braves but if you are dating Susan Boyle and a friend says he can fix you up with a blind date then you jump at it because you know things cann’t get worse.
Sonny Clusters
June 18th, 2009
4:49 pm
When we was playing ball together we won about everything and I think a lot of it had to do with Coach. I never knowed his name we just called him Coach but he helped us to a state champion. I think if the Braves make a change they should try for Coach and see what happens. It dont matter that much with Jeff because he isnt going to listen to Coach or anybody else about hitting but Coach would probably be good for the rest of the guys. When Jeff was at bat Coach would just shut his eyes and not open them up until he heard the crack of the bat or knew Jeff was back in the dugout. I think he was a players coach.
Max Sizemore
June 18th, 2009
4:51 pm
Mark, good point about the Boston front office. But Mills by himself wouldn’t be nearly enough. Wren needs to hire some of Epstein’s assistants, guys who understand the sabremetrics part of the game. One possibility might be Tom Tippett, creator of Diamond Mind Baseball, the best baseball simulation game ever. You might laugh, but there was a reason Tippett and the front office persuaded Francona to stick with Pedroia after his horrific (5-for-56) start in 2007.
Robert
June 18th, 2009
4:54 pm
” I don’t know who should manage the Braves but if you are dating Susan Boyle and a friend says he can fix you up with a blind date then you jump at it because you know things cann’t get worse”
God I wish I woulda come up with that – cuz it says it perfectly
matt r
June 18th, 2009
4:57 pm
I like the idea of a forward-thinking, stats-minded approach for a manager, but I have a feeling Schuerholz/Wren would not take much interest in that.
Mark Bradley
June 18th, 2009
5:18 pm
Jimy Williams is 65. Would that be a look toward the future?
ChopHasFlopped
June 18th, 2009
5:19 pm
I like Davey Lopes, Larry Bowa, Jose Oquendo and Buck Showalter. Showalter has shown that he does well in a rebuilding process.
Mark Bradley
June 18th, 2009
5:19 pm
Why hire Buck Showalter? What has he ever done except alienate everyone around him?
Mitch C
June 18th, 2009
5:19 pm
I’d try Freddie Gonzalez.
The person who suggested to take Don Sutton off the radio doesn’t have a bad idea. It might be unorthodox, and we know he has no managerial experience, but, the guy is a 324 game winner, and Hall of Famer, who has been around the Braves for two decades. He knows the players, and just might be a complete change from Bobby.
The problem with Don is that he is older. (64 if I’m not mistaken). It seems to me that if you’re going to hire a new mamager, to replace a legend like Bobby, you might want to go with someone younger.
Maybe the Braves should make Mcdowell the manager. I dont know if the Braves would consider that, but its a throw out.
Mitch
ChopHasFlopped
June 18th, 2009
5:20 pm
Mark, we disagree on this one. I think the Braves need someone who isn’t afraid to rock the boat. The good old boys network has led to the status quo atmosphere that is currently aloof in Atlanta.
Mark Bradley
June 18th, 2009
5:20 pm
Larry Bowa had better personnel than Cox and couldn’t once get Philadelphia into the playoffs, even as a wild card. And if there’s such a thing as the antithesis of a player’s manager, he’s it.
ChopHasFlopped
June 18th, 2009
5:21 pm
Bring back Joe Torre. He got shafted pretty good his first time in Atlanta.
ChopHasFlopped
June 18th, 2009
5:23 pm
Think a Mike Scioscia type. Someone who has been a bench coach but has the winning baseball pedigree. Who’s the Yankees bench coach? Brad Mills wouldn’t be a bad reach.
Clayto
June 18th, 2009
5:28 pm
What about Blauser…is he still coaching in Missisippi?
Kentavo
June 18th, 2009
5:38 pm
What about Murph?
Chuckster
June 18th, 2009
5:38 pm
How about Chuck James? Chuck was fond of saying he never thought about pitching because it would always confuse him. Chuck would be a good fit.
Another for consideration is Mark Redman. Who knows, he could be in his basement getting ready to be manager right now.
Dan Kolb might be considered. Dan is a free agent looking for work.
Bangkapi Ajarn
June 18th, 2009
5:39 pm
Firstly, I believe that Bobby Cox (more than Glavine or any one else) has earned the right to leave on his own terms – the time and situation of his choosing. ANYONE that replaces Cox will wilt in the harsh spotlight of comparison. With one possible exception (see below).
Secondly, Mark, I agree that he does not have the full attention of is players. BUT I disagree that your question (asked, rightfully, in the spirit of covering as many sides of the issue as possible) has any bearing on anything. He gave the only answer possible to that question. I would suggest asking Mr. Cox what managerial qualities he thinks would be most effective in taking these players (or a similarly talented group of players in 2009) to the same level of success, professionalism, and expertise that the 90’s Braves consistently reached.
I may have also asked (off the record to preserve relationships) who he thought best personified those traits today IF he decided to retire. Not to say you didn’t, of course, but I (and hopefully the GM) would love to hear his thoughts in that matter.
Thirdly, I would note that motivational theories change (fire breathing foul mouthed dragons vs. Zen masters for example), and a change in environment can often be a stimulating force in the workplace. While the next Braves manager may well be more , uhh, let us say stimulating to get the attention of the players, I would suggest they are doomed to fail in the big picture (treading in the very long shadow such as Cox).
Fourthly, while Pendleton may be the anointed successor in Cox’s public opinion, he would be Cox light with even less or a realistic chance to consistently communicate effectively.
Lastly Mark, while your two suggestions did have some merit, I would like to throw out one more unlikely name – a former Braves catcher that has had a successful career elsewhere (and could well be unavailable) – Joe Torrie. He could well be the only replacement out there that would not be lost in Cox’s shadows. Recall that HE was the manager when Cox was the General manager!
jimmy a
June 18th, 2009
5:42 pm
just FIRE WREN i`ll manage the BRAVES then
steveh
June 18th, 2009
5:47 pm
I’ll do it for half of Bobby’s salary. My Little League record shows that I know how to work with young players.
Mark Bradley
June 18th, 2009
5:47 pm
Bangkapi, Torre wasn’t the manager when Cox was the GM. Torre was the manager after Cox was fired as manager. Then Torre got fired and the Braves went with Eddie Haas, which didn’t last a season. Then Ted Turner brought in Chuck Tanner to manage and Cox as GM.
Bangkapi Ajarn
June 18th, 2009
5:53 pm
Thanks Mark, memory is fading I reakon.
Mark Bradley
June 18th, 2009
5:58 pm
Here’s something I don’t understand. If so many of you seem to think the Braves need a new manager, why would you want someone who worked under Cox to replace him? (Yost, Gonzalez, Jimy Williams, et cetera.)
To quote Stan Kasten on changing coaches/managers: “If you’re going to make a change, make a change.“
Steve
June 18th, 2009
6:10 pm
God couldn’t help this sorry lot
Nelson
June 18th, 2009
6:15 pm
I agree that Cox do not deserve to be fired, but instead they should offer him a good vacation and after that a nice retirement plan. First they should start replacing Pendelton as hitting coach (notice that even Andruw is improving under Jaramillo supervision), then if that doesn’ work send Cox to mentioned vacation, my friends Cox simply has lost his groove and vision of the game. It takes a lot of time for him to make the right decisions, people is saying because he doesn’t want to hurt the players (others than Escobar) I guess.
My Bad Wrist
June 18th, 2009
6:19 pm
First, I don’t think anyone should be allowed a vote if they don’t remember Ted saying that if he wasn’t firing Joe Torre, that’s who he would hire. Second, Jeff Blauser? Really? Third, and most importantly, it’s got to be an entire mindset change. Say the Braves attract Mike Sciosia or someone like him. Can Wren identify and attract the players he would need to be successful, or is he cut out to simply bring in 3 run homer types that don’t adapt.
K with a K
June 18th, 2009
6:24 pm
1: Joe Simpson
2: The hitting coach from Texas (his name escapes me)
3: Don Mattingly
jgon
June 18th, 2009
6:28 pm
I would like T. Moore to give it a try.
Shamus Thacker
June 18th, 2009
6:30 pm
We need a manager who can physically scare the living Hell out of every player on this team. Fear is a wonderful motivator.
Bill M.
June 18th, 2009
6:38 pm
My choice would be Phillip Wellman and Eddie Perez as bench coach. Keep McDowell as PC or bring in a young PC. No Leo Mazzone. Also change first & third base coaches.
JMar
June 18th, 2009
6:52 pm
I’d take Manny Acta (who will be available shortly), then Oquendo.
kool$kat
June 18th, 2009
6:55 pm
heybud was right on. ya better hope Davey Johnson, Torre, LaRussa, or maybe Francona is available when Cox is gone. otherwise its a HUGE step down, or back. But why isn’t Joe Morgan considered, he knows more about baseball than any person live or dead!!!!!
Bat Masterson
June 18th, 2009
7:04 pm
I may be wrong ” wrist” bit I think Turner said that about Cox when he fired him, not Torrie.
Supes
June 18th, 2009
7:07 pm
Mark, I can’t believe that Eddie Perez IS NOT on your list.
He would make a good option for the next Braves manager. He’s respected by the players and the fans, and while he can be a nice guy, he’s also got the fire and passion necessary for the job. He’s also still “not too old” to be able to relate and connect to the young team the Braves will be showcasing in the near future. Seems like a good disciplinarian type coach as well. Let’s not forget him being a catcher, the hardest position on the field, has a high baseball IQ. He’s also gritty, and not entitled, having been a backup througout his Major League career.
So my vote goes to Eddie Perez.
Mike Malone
June 18th, 2009
7:09 pm
I like your two choices, Bradley. Here’s one for you– Bob Brenley (sp?) . Can they lure him from the broadcast booth?
Sir Stealth
June 18th, 2009
7:13 pm
This whole article is blasphemy until Bobby retires and I refuse to even read anything like it until the day he hangs ‘em up. A sadly significant portion of Atlanta fans don’t deserve their own legends.