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
Barnesy
September 21st, 2009
4:15 pm
The Buckaroo Martinez covets this position. You don’t have to win so I’d say he’s qualified.
Mark Bradley
September 21st, 2009
4:17 pm
But Buck Martinez is so good on his Sirius XM show.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
September 21st, 2009
4:17 pm
WILLIE MARTINEZ he has to be good at something!!!
Joe Simpson the Great
September 21st, 2009
4:18 pm
Does Glenn Hubbard get any consideration?
Ted Striker
September 21st, 2009
4:18 pm
Zip’s Widow @4:05 p.m.
I managed the base team when I was in the Air Force but we only had 9 players. The Braves have 25. That’s an entirely different kind of managing — all together.
Shamus Thacker
September 21st, 2009
4:19 pm
I’d prefer Karen Valentine to Bobby.
Never heard of her having any choking problems….
Jackets2009
September 21st, 2009
4:19 pm
It is of course a different sport but it will be fun to watch how the current NFL fad (partly to save money) of hiring young assistants copied from Tomlin’s success with the Steelers plays out.
Jason Whitlock with the KC Star takes a critical and humorous look at the Chiefs’ new head coach. “The Raiders basically played dead and won” is his best quip.
Brian
September 21st, 2009
4:20 pm
What about Eddie Perez? I’ve always thought he’d make a GREAT manager and we should be giving him a look.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 21st, 2009
4:20 pm
BTW Benedict has managerial experience at the show, albeit it one game.
Whom ever they hire, they should fire immediately and hire again, longterm.
You can’t follow a legend.
Panties in a wad
September 21st, 2009
4:22 pm
Is Chuck Tanner still alive?
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
September 21st, 2009
4:22 pm
I voted for TP….without hesitation…he’s a baseball man and I think he would be a great hire…that said..I think Cox returns next year..
Joe Simpson the Great
September 21st, 2009
4:22 pm
Former career backup catchers seem to make the best managers. I’ll bet one day Paul Bako will be a manager.
submariner
September 21st, 2009
4:22 pm
If we’re going out on a limb…..how ’bout Bobby Valentine?
Dawg Fan in Grayson
September 21st, 2009
4:23 pm
If the Braves don’t hire TP when Cox leaves they must hire an experienced mgr. if available, but not retread. I have heard rumors that LaRussa may be looking to manage somewhere in the near future. He may have interest in the Braves.
For the record while TP has been criticized by many for the Braves woeful offense the last couple of years I truly believe he would be a fine mgr. You would probably see a more aggressive team and not a team waiting for the 3-run HR all the time.
Tomas
September 21st, 2009
4:23 pm
I don’t actually know for sure if Valentine is funny, but that game he gets ejected, and comes back to the clubhouse a security guard cracks me up. Here’s a video of him giving the explanation of what happened that day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jowwMKG5kYc
DRT
September 21st, 2009
4:24 pm
Do not give it to TP. When our hitters are having trouble they always go an ask Chipper or BMac’s dad. If the players do not get help from their own pitching coach, that should say something about him..
toddh
September 21st, 2009
4:24 pm
I’m going to join just a few others in asking about Brian Snitker. I don’t know much about his coaching style other than his experience in the Braves system. Based on what little I can observe, he would seem to be the best candidate in my mind. Mark, do you have any insight on him?
CraZyTRaDeMaN
September 21st, 2009
4:25 pm
MARK BRADLEY would be a good choice!! You know everyone is good at something and Mark has certainly not found his something yet!!!
J/K Mark
NORRIS
September 21st, 2009
4:25 pm
What makes anyone think that TP would be a good manager??? The guy has not proved himself as a good hitting coach. He would have been fired anywhere else. The only reason he held his job is because of nostalgia. TP had a career avg of around 270 and only had two good seasons. I dont understand why people even think he was all that as a hitter.
I dont know who the answer is. But I do not believe that TP is the answer.
NC Braves Fan
September 21st, 2009
4:25 pm
Anybody who is intelligent, from outside the organization and will agree to calling Mark B. “Brad” (we can’t be shaking things up too much, after all) is good to go in my book.
submariner
September 21st, 2009
4:26 pm
Joe Maddon…he gets out of the American League East, which will be bottlenecked up by the Yankees and Red Sox until the end of time.
Shamus Thacker
September 21st, 2009
4:26 pm
submariner: If we’re going out on a limb…..how ’bout Bobby Valentine?”"
Going out on a limb? How bout walking the plank?
jim
September 21st, 2009
4:27 pm
Why does anybody want to replace McDowell with Leo or anyone else? What’s not to like about the job he has done this year? A career best year for Vasquez, noticeable improvement in KK, Hanson, and Medlen from the time they arrived. Does he get some credit for the success JJ has had these past 2 years. Granted he did not turn Blaine Boyer into Mariano Rivera, but then Duncan couldn’t do much with Boyer either.
Dean
September 21st, 2009
4:27 pm
1.) I hope Bobby goes when Bobby wants to go.
2.) Didn’t Pendleton take himself out of a game one year–while he was on the field—because he disagreed with something Bobby didn’t do (Throw at a batter.)? Apparently, it isn’t a big issue. But when it happened it sure seemed like it was.
Brannon
September 21st, 2009
4:28 pm
I don’t know about as manager, but I think Larry Wayne Jones, Sr. would be awesome as a hitting coach. I wouldn’t mind having him as manager either.
submariner
September 21st, 2009
4:28 pm
Shamus Thacker…..That’s what I’m saying.
misterwax
September 21st, 2009
4:28 pm
I would also recommend Greg Maddux, he knows how to win and all men who play the game repsect his knowledge and abilities…He would sell a lot more tickets…The fans love him.
Mr. A
September 21st, 2009
4:28 pm
Alright Mark…. you got me on the “taciturn” I have a bachelors degree and had to look that one up! Have you had any dealings with Mills? What type of personality would he bring to the team?
Ryne Sandberg really wants to manage …. is he ready and would he be a good fit? Thanks for this blog……. it makes me excited about the future of the braves.
Jackets2009
September 21st, 2009
4:29 pm
The problem with hiring a new guy is he may not be experienced enough to know good assistants. That is the big difference between Mora and Smith. Mora hired Grag Knapp because he knew him and was not confident enough to choose from a larg group the best guy.
Again it’s a different sport.
My point is Atlanta get to be the trainer of managers who learn here and then do better elsewhere.
I’m tired of that.
The Dude
September 21st, 2009
4:30 pm
I know he is under contract (for how long I don’t know), but I would look at Joe Maddon. He can obviously work with young talent which is the direction the Braves are slowly heading. I am quite sure that the Braves could pay him more than Tampa.
toddh
September 21st, 2009
4:30 pm
oh, and for the record, I still believe Bobby Cox should stay manager as long as he wants. I don’t understand how people can turn against a manager who led his team to 14 straight playoff appearances in a row. Players like playing for him, he has a proven winning record, what more can you people want. Of course you can nitpick certain moves but hindsight is always 20/20. He’s a baseball lifer and I’m pretty sure knows more about the game than anyone commenting on here.
chuck allison
September 21st, 2009
4:30 pm
I would never make Terry Pendleton manager. In fact, I wish that they would find another hitting coach and fire Terry Pendleton altogether. I remember his disruptive antics on the field and I don’t think that he has ever done any good with the Braves’ hitters. The Braves need a real hitting coach and TP is not the one.
Ramblin Wrecker
September 21st, 2009
4:31 pm
I guess I don’t get the “he’s under contract” statement about Freddi Gonzalez. Last time I checked having a job doesn’t preclude you from getting another job if he really wanted it. Freddi was an unproven manager when he was hired, I doubt he has some sort of Braves buyout clause (a la Urban Meyer and Notre Dame). If Freddi was interested, he would be considered and given an interview. I mean, the guys on your list are “under contract” with the clubs they work for. That’s a dumb statement.
As for Ned Yost, last time I checked Milwaukee was a bottom dweller when he got there and were more relevant when he left. I’m not worried about him getting let go with 12 games left in the season. Sometimes the people you work for don’t know what they’re doing. Leo Mazzone will tell you all about Baltimore. He was fired from them. Does that mean he is not worth hiring as a pitching coach now?
The Dude
September 21st, 2009
4:31 pm
Who is Mike Scoscia’s next in-charge? He is a good manager.
CraZyTRaDeMaN
September 21st, 2009
4:34 pm
misterwax……. NO WAY GREG WOULD EVER MANAGE. It would cut into his GOLF time.
timthebrave
September 21st, 2009
4:34 pm
What about Greg Norton? There is no reason to think he could get the job done but that hasn’t stopped him in the past
Alan
September 21st, 2009
4:37 pm
Not Terry P., its just more of the same, look at the offensive production and ask yourself if this is what you want to see again. I wonder if we really need a manager that the players are all familiar with, here again is this really what you want to see.
The Braves need new blood that will come in and make a statement as to what he expects (A WINNING ATTITUDE), not the same old thing-good players, well like management and no offense.
TP bashers are stupid
September 21st, 2009
4:37 pm
All you Pendleton bashers take a good look at the roster.
With at least nine guys hitting over .270 I would think TP
has to get some credit. MLB hitting coaches are probably the
most overly criticized coaches in all of sports.
Now I will admit that TP isn’t my first choice but I would have
no problem with him getting the job. If all you TP bashers
think a hitting coaches success is an indicator of a good
MLB manager then why are you all promoting the hiring
of the Texas Rangers hitting coach?
varoadrunner
September 21st, 2009
4:38 pm
I do not have the information or smarts to pick Bobby Cox’s successor – But apparently I am smarter than almost 46% of the responders to the poll of Should Bobby Cox return as the Braves Manager?
FORTY-SIX PERCENT SAID YES!!! OMG – I am beginning to feel brilliant. ( I voted NO) It’s easy to say Mr Wren, try it – NO!
Jackets2009
September 21st, 2009
4:38 pm
One of my arguments with the “fire Bobby” crowd is who will you get that is better.
It will be Frack Wren’s biggest decidion as GM when the time comes.
I can remember when we got rid of Torre and the clown who followed him.
Most probably wanted Torre gone too.
Lefty
September 21st, 2009
4:38 pm
Word out of Milwaukee is that Yost was a pretty bad manager and many of his players hated playing for him. What’s Don Baylor up to these days? I always thought he got the shaft in Colorado.
Tomas
September 21st, 2009
4:39 pm
Phil Garner why not. Why was he fired?
Phil of Playaz Ball
September 21st, 2009
4:39 pm
I think managing a baseball team is a bit overrated as far as any “skill” required – it’s more about being a team leader than it is x’s and o’s.
Therefore I would dismiss any opinions I have about TP as a hitting instructor. He’d probably be a much better manager.
Ramblin Wrecker
September 21st, 2009
4:39 pm
As for Ned Yost’s record, it is misleading to simply say he had a sub .500 record as a manager, because he was 166-146 in his final two seasons (including an 83-67 record when he was fired with 12 games left) showing a trend of improvement from the last place finishes that the Brewers had been posting. What kind of moron fires a manager who is within reach of winning 90 games? All he needed was to go 7-5 in those games to reach 90. But you’re right, he was under .500 in his tenure there and was fired with 12 games to go, so that’s all that matters. Did you sleep thru journalism school?
Kenneth
September 21st, 2009
4:40 pm
How about Rafael Ramirez or Pascual Perez?
varoadrunner
September 21st, 2009
4:41 pm
Excellent points Ramblin – I just wonder if yost is too nice. This team needs a KICK.
Firetheoldfool
September 21st, 2009
4:42 pm
Anything or anybody but Bobby Cox. An old mop and a bag of balls would be better.
tralfaz
September 21st, 2009
4:43 pm
the only good thing about elevating Pendleton would be that we could then finally get a decent hitting coach
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
September 21st, 2009
4:43 pm
Shamus…..you must remember the 80’s when Glen Hubbard could turn the double play with the best of em..he had no fear..I also thought about him as the next Mgr…but I think now a days he’s happy being the first base coach and drinking hotel beer on road trips..(sitting next to Bobby of course…..) but I’m often wrong….BTW…your prison post earlier get my vote for most hilariuos of the day….good stuff….
NC Braves Fan
September 21st, 2009
4:43 pm
“What kind of moron fires a manager who is within reach of winning 90 games?”
A moron who sees that the manager is not very good with people and/or has lost his clubhouse (for instance). That’s who.