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
Maniac
September 22nd, 2009
8:48 am
I VOTE FOR MANNY MOTA or José Cuervo
OhEddie
September 22nd, 2009
8:51 am
MB – Let’s say TP became manager, do you think Chipper could, or would want to, become the Braves hitting coach?
Forrest
September 22nd, 2009
8:51 am
I guess my question would be what the goals for the next manager would be? I am reminded of a few years back when the Catholic Church was looking for a new Pope and they decided to go after an older more established Cardinal because he would not face as much criticism for failing to live up to his predecessor, because the understanding was he would only be around for a few years. Why not put some very stable, conservative time between Bobby and taking a risk on a young and unproven coach.
George
September 22nd, 2009
8:52 am
I must have missed the news that Bobby had resigned. Talk about replacing the husband before he is even dead……. No respect.
Dr. Jesse
September 22nd, 2009
8:55 am
Who ever thinks Bobby will leave this pitching staff without being fired is crazy. He loves these long seasons and short post season runs. Two names I have not seen…Glen Hubbard [in house] and japan returnee [Asian World Champion winner} Bobby Valentine. Love the fire need the fire but alas we are and will be left in the cold. Bobby is still heating his house with whale oil. He ain’t a’changin’!
DMac
September 22nd, 2009
8:56 am
Webhead said it best: “TP is one of the reasons Cox should go. Why reward him with the top job? I swear it’s like everybody has taken crazy pills.”
DMac
September 22nd, 2009
9:07 am
The people who are still defending Bobby Cox must either: a. not have watched any of the Braves games this year, or b. know nothing at all about baseball. Any baseball savy person, who watched the games, would have seen the many, many managing blunders that Cox made, often costing the team a win. Now are we supposed to overlook all of that, because he was (debatably) successful in the past? Please Bobby, just go. It’s time. And if he won’t retire voluntarily, then please John and Frank, gently but firmly escort him to the door to retirement.
Smack
September 22nd, 2009
9:12 am
I agree we need to look outside of the organization. If for no other reason, we need a new voice and someone that can provide direction, not have things so loose. We need a manager with drive. I keep coming back to Clint Hurdle for whatever reason.
sidslidkid
September 22nd, 2009
9:20 am
Eddie Perez!!!!!
Kevin
September 22nd, 2009
9:25 am
You want jimmy leyland be hard to since he coachin The detroit Tigers still…..TP be not look at franceor after leavin brves he ovwe 312 agv now…..ha ha My choice for mamanger be Bobby V the former met manager be idea.Maybe hank aaron be idea.Are lets get Bob Barker be braves skipper n have drew carey as hittin coach next season…..i hope i get a laugh are chuckle from U folks!
abudefdef
September 22nd, 2009
9:29 am
PHILLIP WELLMAN!!!
jdawg
September 22nd, 2009
9:31 am
what about that manager in the braves minor league system who lost his mind a few years ago. it ould be cool to see him throw sandbag grenades in the majors
NS Pendleton
September 22nd, 2009
9:32 am
Maybe I’m just biased because my last name is Pendleton and I named my dog Terry only because of my last name, but I would really like to see Terry Pendleton become the new manager when Cox retires. Either that or see Mazzone come back, which will probably never happen.
Kevin
September 22nd, 2009
9:33 am
You want jimmy leyland be hard to since he coachin The detroit Tigers we could get drew carey manager team n bob barker hittin coach but bein real.I hire Ed Yost n hittin coach Perez are former catcher…next year..unless Lou was fired from cubs he could come here to managed us….gerald perry also be are new hittin coach. we can’t hire connie mack are Leo the lip durocher(spellin off)they long dead sorta like who is there now.are Mark Bradley could be the new manager of Braves
RBrave
September 22nd, 2009
9:35 am
TP is not even a good hitting coach ! What makes you think he would be a good head coach ? Usually you promote for excellent work and production he has done niether. I can see it coming now he is going to get the job because he’s black, because if he doesn’t get it race will be the reason.
coach smith
September 22nd, 2009
9:42 am
Right now it is a pointless debate because BOBBY COX WILL BE BACK
When he does leave, I think it is in this order
1. TP
2. Freddy Gonzalez (I think he could jump teams)
3. Eddie Perez
4. Ned Yost
5. Jose Oquindo
and an off the RADAR pick…..JOE SIMPSON (if he was interested I really think he could be a successful coach. All the Braves’ players know him, he knows the personnel, he is a very smart baseball guy
coach smith
September 22nd, 2009
9:43 am
Right now it is a pointless debate because BOBBY COX WILL BE BACK
When he does leave, I think it is in this order
1. TP
2. Freddy Gonzalez (I think he could jump teams)
3. Eddie Perez
4. Ned Yost
5. Jose Oquindo
and an off the RADAR pick…..JOE SIMPSON (if he was interested I really think he could be a successful coach. All the Braves’ players know him, he knows the personnel, he is a very smart baseball guy and coming down from the press box has been done before
BravesFan
September 22nd, 2009
9:47 am
I wouldn’t pick any of them. I would get Ned Yost, who took a less than impressive Brewers team and turned them around. He got a raw deal there, plus he has Braves roots.
Stotts Era
September 22nd, 2009
9:54 am
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE no terry pendleton….he is ruining the team as hitting coach
i think bobby (cox not dews) should be bullpen coach and eddie perez manager. just have them switch places. makes perfect sense
abudefdef
September 22nd, 2009
9:55 am
jdawg—the tantrum-tossing, phantom grenade-throwing manager you speak of…
PHILLIP WELLMAN!!!
I’m telling you he would shatter Bobby’s ejections record no later than July 2012…
Cynthia
September 22nd, 2009
9:57 am
I would like to see Terry Pendleton as the new Braves Manager. He had a stellar career with the Braves and as you said is much respected by the players. Hands down, he’s my choice.
Mark Bradley
September 22nd, 2009
9:59 am
I don’t know how keen Chipper Jones is on coaching, Eddie.
JD
September 22nd, 2009
10:01 am
“Why would you hire someone whose previous team fired him as it was about to make the playoffs? Is there a brighter red flag?”
No there is not, but the Braves hired Cox anyway. You forgot to add that the Blue Jays won two World Series immediately after firing him. That’s about five or so less than the Braves would have won had they done the same.
No manager has done less with more in the postseason in any sport that Cox. Maybe they can hire George Karl or Marty Schottenheimer to continue the tradition.
Mark Bradley
September 22nd, 2009
10:03 am
The Blue Jays did not fire Cox. He left after the 1985 season to become GM of the Braves. The Blue Jays promoted Jimy Williams. They won the World Series in 1992 and 1993 under Cito Gaston.
Bob Horner
September 22nd, 2009
10:07 am
What about Eddie Perez?
rob graner
September 22nd, 2009
10:08 am
Bradley is just stirring the pot. Cox is one of the best coaches in baseball. The players are not complaining and are playing well. Yes he has made some bad decisions this year that we all second guess but, what manager has not done so over so many games played. Chipper not hitting was the major problem and not having a big bat until Adam was acquired. Our GM needs to find a big stick this offseason to help fix our problems. Bradley someone should come after your job so you know how it feels to have a witch hunt. I know of at least 5 other sport reporters that can be better than you as well!!!!
Tdalmore
September 22nd, 2009
10:33 am
If you’re going to make a move away from Cox — which should be done — then you really should go with a fresh new approach. Elevating Pendleton to that job would be little more than a continuation of the Cox mentality and system. With the pitching staff we’ve got — really good starters, really erratic late-inning relievers — I’d like to see someone take over who isn’t a stubborn manage-by-formula/pitch-count guy.
abudefdef
September 22nd, 2009
10:36 am
If I was Bobby Cox, I’d give it one more year…
Starting Rotation:
Tim Hudson (sign him to an extension!)
Javier Vazquez (sign him to an extension too)
Jair Jurrjens
Tommy Hanson
Derek Lowe or Kenshin Kawakami (trade whichever one it isn’t even if they have to eat some contract to get a POWER HITTING OF)
Mike Gonzalez or Rafael Soriano as closer, let the other one walk to free up some cash
Lineup
McLouth OF
Prado 2B
Chipper 3B
POWER HITTING OF
McCann C
Yunel SS
LaRoche 1B / Freeman 1B
Diaz OF / Heyward OF
Pitcher
That’s not a bad lineup, and you can move people around (LaRoche/Heyward-when he’s ready) depending on opposing pitcher
Kelly Johnson / Omar Infante / Brandon Jones / David Ross on bench
Seems like a very competitive Braves team next year in this scenario, one that Cox probably would stick around for…if not…PHILLIP WELLMAN!
Huntsville Yellow Jacket
September 22nd, 2009
10:38 am
Mark,
We need to keep Bobby Cox until he is ready to go. The players love playing for him. I fully realize they haven’t made it to the playoffs as of late, but some of that is due to injuries that are simply beyond a managers control. Like you said in your comments regarding Terry Pendelton, Cox is one of the best managers ever. I have to think that Bobby hasn’t suddenly forgotten how to manage.
BobCee
September 22nd, 2009
10:47 am
Enter your comments here
The new manager needs to be someone who won’t sugar up to the vets on the team. He needs to be the leader and the one who gets the most out of his players. If players like Yunel who seems to have some personality problems, or Chipper who think the Braves owe him something, Derek who is getting paid too much, KK who is also a big IF can’t cut the mustard, then they must go for players who want to play. Also Chipper does not want to retire he only is statying this so the Barves don’t trade and therefor secure his security from the team.
Jim Feely
September 22nd, 2009
10:48 am
One choice here, Orel Hersheiser, a student of the game and great character.
dave
September 22nd, 2009
10:57 am
Yeah, I don’t know why everybody is so up on Pendleton, either. He may do well, he may not. I had not thought about Eddie Perez; could be something there. Where’s Jerry Royster? I seem to remember that every time he’s been given a shot, it was with a team that even Connie Mack or Leo Duroscher couldn’t have won with. Just don’t get somebody who has proven that they can’t win without a payroll; Joe Torre and Jim Leyland come to mind…
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September 22nd, 2009
10:58 am
Enter your comments here
Felix the Cat
September 22nd, 2009
10:59 am
Enter your comments here
How about Joe simpson and the BOOG. They both do a boring job in the booth, they might as well manage and keep the Braves boring as they currently are.. The highlight of their time in the booth is the AFLAC question. The rest of the time it is idle chatter
Lifetime Braves Fan
September 22nd, 2009
11:04 am
Phillip Wellman could be a dark horse. Why not let him give it a shot. He managed alot of these guys in the minors and got them ready for the bigs. One silly meltdown will not stop him from managing the bigs.
MWoody
September 22nd, 2009
11:08 am
I agree with a couple of others who mentioned Brian Snitker. He has already coached everyone on the team who didn’t transfer in from another team. He does very well developing players and getting them ready to play. When the Baby Braves hit town a couple of years ago, Snitker is the one who got them ready to play and they did very well. This is a guy who bleeds Braves and knows the game every bit as well as anyone mentioned on your list or anyone else who has been mentioned. He would be here to win, not here to coach.
Huddy's Ligament
September 22nd, 2009
11:08 am
Enter your comments here
What about Phillip Wellman?
Could be fun with his blow-ups.
Huddy's Ligament
September 22nd, 2009
11:09 am
Or the MB Pelicans manager Rocket Wheeler.
GSU Eagle 91
September 22nd, 2009
11:11 am
I have thought for a few years now that TP would be Bobby’s replacement. Terry brings an edge this young team needs at this time, not a “gentle’ approach Bobby uses.
I give TP my vote.
bull-gator
September 22nd, 2009
11:13 am
Jim Leyland
Buck Showalter
Freddie Gonzalez
Buck Martinez
Andy VanSlyke
Tyler
September 22nd, 2009
11:17 am
what about ned yost? for a while it was thought that he would take over for bobby.
MGM
September 22nd, 2009
11:24 am
Two words:
Biff Pocaroba
Guy Wilson
September 22nd, 2009
11:34 am
I hope Cox will stay another year. He has record that is one of the best ever and is loved by his players. He needs a couple of hitter and a left handed pitcher. This group of players has a great potential and I believe Cox is best man.
Born2Buzz
September 22nd, 2009
11:42 am
On why there are folks who are calling for Bobby to step down but would like to stay in house with either TP or Eddie Perez, I think we all like the “Braves Way” and Bobby has had many years of being a good manager, but even you, MB, are finally admitting that maybe the guy is slipping a bit.
I think TP would probably be a decent manager but I’d vote for Eddie Perez over him. But that would be a serious slap in TP’s face.
kaygeeone
September 22nd, 2009
11:42 am
I think John Smoltz would be better than any other I’ve heard.
Joe M
September 22nd, 2009
11:43 am
Ned Yost would be the perfect choice to replace Bobby Cox. Aside from his long association with the Brave’s organization as a coach, when he got the chance to manage he turned a Brewers team that was a laughing stock into a respectable contender. IMHO, too much weight is given to a manager’s record, and not enough to what he did with the quality of the players he had to work with. Casey Stengel was considered a bumbling clown when he managed the Dodgers and Braves to consistent second division finishes in the 30’s and 40’s, but was a genius when he was given the reins of the Yankees with DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra, Ford, etc., and then became a boob all over again, when he managed the Mets. Everyone raves over what a great manager Joe Torre is. He managed the sad sack Mets to five losing seasons, then suddenly became great with the Braves (managing a team that Bobby Cox basically put together). He was under .500 with the Cards and never made the play-offs, but got smart again when the Yankees and Dodgers outspent everyone else for the best talent. Bottom line, if you have the best players, nine times out of ten you win. What the Braves need is someone who can bring out the best, in the talent we can afford.
By the way, Bobby Cox WILL be back next year. He managed the Braves in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. Does anyone really think he’s going to step down one year short of managing in a new decade? I think he’ll be here one more year, while grooming someone (Yost, TP…) to be his successor. With many of prospects coming up, and the core of a very good team from 2009,next year should be a very successful season. He and Chipper will retire after 2010, then HOF together in 2015.
Scoots
September 22nd, 2009
11:59 am
Hey Mark -
What do you think about Greg Norton as the next skipper? Clearly Bobby is grooming him for something.
Carole
September 22nd, 2009
12:06 pm
Enter your comments
I would want Terry as the Manager of the Braves. I love everything about him. He is well respected by not only the Braves players but by everyone. I support you Terry.
ijudgenot
September 22nd, 2009
12:08 pm
What ever happened to Chris Chambliss? He was on the radar many times to be a manager. He was in Braves system. Jim Fregossi also knows Braves system and has prior managing experience.
For those who don’t think Tery Pendleton should get the job because he is a Cox deciple, remember he also played and won a world series under Whitey Herzog, who knew how to get speed and how to use it to win a championship. He also was pretty good at handling his pitching staff. If TP is chosen I hope he takes Bobby’s good points (good player relationship, and patience) and Herzog’s good points (knowledge of how to use speed) and use his own instincts to manage the Braves.
GTSteve
September 22nd, 2009
12:09 pm
Joe Simpson for Manager