5 candidates to take over the Braves after Bobby Cox
Earlier today we offered 5 reasons Bobby Cox should step aside. Some of you then asked the logical follow-up: OK, genius, who would you hire to replace him? Here, presented in order of preference, is my short list:
1. Brad Mills, Red Sox bench coach: He has apprenticed beside Terry Francona, who’s the second-best manager in baseball — Minnesota’s Ron Gardenhire is the best — and who was Mills’ college roommate. He’s steeped in the Sox system of numbers-crunching, which would surely delight the stat geeks on DOB’s blog, and has been known to use the word “sabermetrics” in conversation.
2. Jose Oquendo, Cardinals third base coach: He’s considered the first choice to succeed Tony La Russa in St. Louis, but nobody’s sure when La Russa will leave. Oquendo is a key player liaison, having built an alliance with the taciturn Albert Pujols. (Ah, but you’re asking: Could he get along with Yunel Escobar? Probably.)
3. Dave Duncan, Cardinals pitching coach: There’s a spotty history for pitching coaches as managers. Roger Craig was a good one, Ray Miller less good. (And Leo Mazzone, the best pitching coach ever, never got a managerial sniff.) But the belief in St. Louis is that Duncan, La Russa’s longtime No. 2, wants out: He’s said to be angry at the local media over the treatment of his son Chris, whom the Cardinals traded to Boston last month. And it’s worth noting that Duncan wasn’t actually a pitcher himself. He was a catcher for the Oakland A’s of the early ’70s.
Loading ...4. Terry Pendleton, Braves hitting coach: If the Braves stay in-house, he’s the guy. He’s respected by the players — Jeff Francoeur’s flight to Texas for instruction shouldn’t be viewed as a consensus opinion — and beloved by the brass. He’s a hard worker who played under two of the best managers ever in Cox and Whitey Herzog, and he’s also a bit of a hard nose. (He rides a Harley!) Which, coming after the gentle ways of Bobby Cox, might not be a bad thing.
5. Scott Ullger, Twins third base coach: If Gardenhire is the best — and he is — why not grab his chief lieutenant? Ullger is a lifer in the Twins’ system and has managed in the minors. Plus, you have to admire a guy whose official bio reads: “Experience: A lot.”
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553 comments Add your comment
Drexel Gal
September 24th, 2009
12:37 am
Who is the ignoramus who keeps referring to Bobby Cox as the Braves’ “COACH”? He is their MANAGER. There ARE other sports besides football, and, remember, the Braves are the first MAJOR LEAGUE team to play in Atlanta (beating out the expansion Falcons by several months).
the real Andy
September 24th, 2009
12:45 am
i hope tony gwynn gets a look in 2011. astute baseball guy, seems to have a good personality
glitzsfa
September 24th, 2009
12:51 am
Is Murphy still farming? If he is, how bout promoting Hubbard?
the real Andy
September 24th, 2009
12:58 am
love the Murph, but there’s no way players can relate to his goody-two-shoes nature. i think i’d put “ability to drop an occasional f-bomb (or at least not to flinch when others do)” on the managerial checklist
Tommy
September 24th, 2009
1:16 am
Aren’t we forgetting about one Mr. Ned Yost there Bradley???
jack
September 24th, 2009
1:35 am
It should be Don Sutton! A direct move from the booth has worked before, Houston, and he would be the perfect fit
ABravesFan
September 24th, 2009
1:40 am
How about Chipper as a player-manager? That would be interesting. You got to think that TP is at the top of the short list right now. I’m kind of happy that it wasn’t announced today that TP would take over. It’s good to leave that open because who knows who will be available comes the end of next season (which hopefully will go into November). Maybe even Bobby deciding to come back and defend a title.
Patrick
September 24th, 2009
1:46 am
I have thought for the past year that Ned Yost needs to come back to Atlanta. He would be a good fit if not manager..back in the organization.
PhillyPhil
September 24th, 2009
2:07 am
The logical choice to replace Bobby is easy. Mike Scioscia would turn this team into a true national league team, which happens to suit our personnel better. We’ve had an American League style of play for all of these years; it’s finally time to play like we’re from the senior circuit.
scottbravesfan
September 24th, 2009
2:34 am
I think the Braves should give Don Baylor another shot. I always liked him and thought he got hosed in Denver.
KnightInATL
September 24th, 2009
3:02 am
Any chance of the Braves taking a look at Don Mattingly?
Autumn
September 24th, 2009
4:22 am
Mark, you know when I lived in Marietta for 7 years, I’d pick up the paper, see your name and always read the bad things you had to say about the Braves. I can count on one hand how many times you had something nice to say about the Braves & Bobby….combined. I’m not quite sure why you still report for them. I actually clicked on this thinking maybe you said something nice, then I realized you’re Mark Bradley, and can’t do that. It’s ashame, because if you could actually be a little positive about them, maybe there wouldn’t be so many wishy washy, lukewarm Braves fans, who follow your example. That’s something to be proud of.
jerry
September 24th, 2009
5:40 am
I’m pretty sure I know who the next manager will be—the best a$$-kisser.
bravesfanforever
September 24th, 2009
7:35 am
I think we need a change in how we do things. If Terry Pendleton is willing to take a new approach, sure I’d like to have him as manager.
The problem with this team is that we have been too reluctant to let the offense do its job. I mean, even when we had the tremendous firepower in the 90’s, Cox would still bunt the man over in the playoffs. It’s no wonder we lost so many world series. I say, “swing away”. Gotta go for it even when you are under the gun.
I would even make replacements based on their offense prowess if they at least had a decent glove. Seems like everything is based on defense and pitching only. I think there has to be a balance. You can’t have all of one thing or you won’t win as much–especially when it really counts. Cox annually has at least one non-hitter on the club who he insists on parading out there. This year we had several earlier this season. At one point we had three players in the line up in June who were hitting around .200 or less.
Love Cox and he deserves the Hall of Fame, but I’d like to see a change.
Nativebird
September 24th, 2009
8:29 am
Terry Francona, who’s the second-best manager in baseball? You’re kidding yourself.
Zach Hurst
September 24th, 2009
8:34 am
Brian Snitker anyone?
Chef montuer
September 24th, 2009
8:50 am
Bobby Valentine
Mike Wilhelm
September 24th, 2009
9:52 am
Joe Torre. 1982 all over again.
Andy J.
September 24th, 2009
10:04 am
Freddy Gonzales anyone? History with the organization and a proven manager in Florida.
Just not Ned Yost or TP.
Could Yost succeed Cox as Braves manager?
September 24th, 2009
10:27 am
[...] course there’s other names tied to Cox and the Braves organization. But I could see Yost joining the staff next year and following that up as the manager who has to [...]
All I'm Saying Is...
September 24th, 2009
10:52 am
In my view, Braves next manager needs to have already been a ML manager having already led a ML team so that would eliminate Tony Gwynn (who I love), TP, Dave Duncan, Jose Oquendo, and any other bench coach for Boston or Minnesota.
Who then?
Bobby Valentine—heck no. His ego wouldn’t fit within Turner Field anyway.
Joe Torre—he is not going to leave L.A. for Atlanta especially if they make a playoff run particularly given all that off the field endorsement money he rakes in by managing in the second largest media market in the world.
Ned Yost has zero people skills and a lousy track record so no thanks.
Marlins would be fools to let Freddy Gonzales go especially to a team in the same division so unlikely he would be available though he would be my first choice as he is great and clearly knows how to work with young talent.
Willie Randolph would be a good choice. Despite how things ended in NYC, he’s experienced, won rings as a player and as a coach, and was initially successful in NYC and in handling the largest media market in the world.
Don Baylor is experienced, was hosed in Denver, was a coach under BC some years back, and was instrumental in motivating Chipper to step up his game when Don was our hitting coach. I think he could be added while keeping most of BC’s current staff (if that’s something the team wants to do) particularly our pitching coach (although TP might leave which is something we could easily deal with).
I also think Larry Bowa is someone we should consider. He flamed out in Philly due to being too intense but is the perfect balance to Joe Torre in LA and no doubt has learned a few things since his Philly tenure ended. He might have just the attitude we need to push our guys and if we kept most of the staff, then they could balance out his intensity.
If we did take on someone with zero ML managerial experience, I’d say go with Tony Gwynn.
Fed up
September 24th, 2009
11:43 am
Ned Yost was probably fired bedcause he didn’t kiss the right butts in upper management, but he took a nothing team and was headed to the playoffs when he was canned. The Brewers haven’t done much of anything since he left
Chris
September 24th, 2009
12:27 pm
I will say the same name I have been saying for 3 years…Willie Randolph. What an amazing guy to have following Cox. He got a raw deal in New York and what better way to stick it to the Mets every year.
kevin Elrod
September 24th, 2009
1:55 pm
Enter your comments here
Please tell me why Ron Gardenhire is the best manager in Baseball. I honestly don’t know anything about the guy.
Ed Glennon
September 24th, 2009
4:24 pm
Terry Pendleton will do for the Braves what Tyrone Willingham did for Notre Dame and Washington. A nice guy way over his head.
Joe Fan
September 24th, 2009
4:57 pm
The Braves should go ahead and announce a manger in waiting like some of the college football teams are doing now. Fans could then be excited or mad and Bobby would have someone there to keep him on his toes.
sean carver
September 24th, 2009
7:26 pm
Enter your comments here what about one of the most favorite braves in the history of the franchise? DALE MURPHY!!!
sean carver
September 24th, 2009
7:30 pm
HOW ABOUT glen Hubbard?
sean carver
September 24th, 2009
7:34 pm
how about BUCK SHOWALTER or however u spell his name.
Joe
September 25th, 2009
9:17 am
TP has been a horrible hitting coach and is just not cut out to follow a legend like Cox. How about Ned Yost? He didn’t get a fair shake in Milwakee and certainly would bring fire in the belly mentality to the Braves that Cox has been lacking in his later years…
braves70
September 25th, 2009
10:32 am
Maybe we can all be right if the Braves turn to the College of Coaches used by the Cubs in the early 60’s. They had rotating managers. Every few weeks another coach would become the manager for a short period of time until it was some other coach’s turn to take over. It was a total failure with the Cubs but everything old is new again. Ha!
HAL
September 25th, 2009
1:22 pm
Enter your comments here this wasnt tough for me anyone at eXCEPT PENDOLTON GAWD HES A SUCKY HIITING COACH WE DONT FIRE WE PROMOTE that happens ive watched my last braves game after 50 some years
Steve
September 25th, 2009
2:36 pm
How About Ned Yost?
Mr. 5000
September 25th, 2009
2:59 pm
What about Leo Mazzone? He was the Braves pitching coach during the phenomenal days of the 90’s and was instrumental in their success.
Craig
September 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
Ned Yost is the only person the braves should even consider to replace Cox. He has worked with Bobby in the past, has a similar managerial style, and has proven himself as a manager. I can’t see why the brewers let him go. GET YOST!!!
Sam
September 26th, 2009
4:14 pm
How about John Rocker? Now that would be some exciting baseball!
ROB
September 26th, 2009
4:56 pm
I think they should look outside the system. I say they should talk to Don Mattingly. Don would be a great fit to help get the young guys hitting better. Anybody from inside the organazation would have to much pressure on them.
sam the chotch
September 26th, 2009
5:23 pm
i would smoke poll to have either Pendelton or Mr.October aka The Lemmor as manager! Bobby is the best ever though all time!
oconee dawg 66
September 26th, 2009
5:58 pm
Ned Yost looks to be the best choice to me.
The Truth
September 26th, 2009
6:14 pm
How about Dave Brundage, the Gwinnett Manager? Bobby Valentine or Clint Hurdle? Someone with experience. Maybe Ned Yost.
letterhighfast
September 26th, 2009
6:37 pm
Enter your comments hereMy choice is Fredi Gonzalez! He is awesome in every way!
Jerry W.
September 26th, 2009
7:04 pm
I’m sorry guys but we need someone with fire in their behinds — a burning desire to win, not someone like Bobby Cox and his laissez faire attitude. Get someone from NY or NJ man — geographically (not necessarily from the Yankees or Mets clubs). I am tired of the good old boys scratching each others backs — players and staff alike. Get a tough guy from the NY area who will not stand the pussyfooting that goes around in the Braves’ clubhouse. Get some guy from Brooklyn or Queens who will not tolerate mediocrity. Braves fans deserve better.
Bill
October 6th, 2009
11:14 am
I say Buck Showalter, lets see what he can do with real talent
Johnny
October 26th, 2009
9:20 am
I pick CHRIS CHAMBLISS the excellent choice for Brave Manager for 2011. I hope David Justice, Ron Gant, Bobby Bonilla, Javier Lopez to join Chambliss`s coaching staff. Greg Maddux is top candidate for Brave pitching coach for 2011.
Nolalsas
January 26th, 2010
11:58 am
this may be kinda crazy.. but i think willie randolph could do a good job for about 10 years or so.
Ken
March 31st, 2010
12:52 pm
I don’t believe in cloning, but in this case lets swab Bobby’s cheek. As a prerequisite, we need someone who will sit at the end of the dugout and encourage the batter after every pitch.
David
May 19th, 2010
1:58 pm
JOE TORRE, he is the man!
Peter Calculator
June 21st, 2010
12:09 am
Cool post – thanks a lot m8 Criminal Lawyer is a redundancy
Brave fan $ life
July 3rd, 2010
7:50 pm
Why not Chipper Jones? Player-Manager, or if he retires, just the Manager.
Bob Miller
July 20th, 2010
3:21 am
The man who lives and breathes baseball for the Braves. It would be a bold move but, I think Chipper Jones should follow Bobby Cox asmanager of the Atlanta Braves.