By Dave van Dyck
Ryne Sandberg will be named
Pacific Coast League manager of the year Friday, according to the Des Moines
Register.
The Cubs' Hall of Famer,
considered a candidate for the vacant managerial job, had his team 21 games
over .500 after an Iowa victory Thursday in Albuquerque. Cubs general
manager Jim Hendry had beenin Albuquerque for two days and had informal talks with Sandberg, although Hendry says it was mostly items they would normally discuss at this time of year.
Sandberg has managed four years in the minor leagues and has professed his interest in the Cubs' job vacated when Lou Piniella retired earlier this season. It is currently being filled by third base coach Mike Quade, a former Iowa manager.
Grew up in chicago watching Ryno. Live in Albuquerque now. Just went to the series between the Cubs and Isotopes. While Girardi and Torre should be considered, don't underestimate Ryno as a manager. I was impressed with the way he manages the game and his decision-making, ultimately though, it's the players. Girardi and Torre have been surrounded with talent. Ryno has done everything the Cubs have asked of him in order to get a shot. Whether in Chicago or somewhere else, he has the credentials to move to the next level.
I agree that Ryno was quiet as a major league player, but let me tell you, as a manager, he has been anything but. I was at a game 2 years ago in Clinton, IA, Ryno was the manager of the Peoria Chiefs. The opposing manager had his team bunting in the 7th inning with a big lead. You could hear Sandberg from the Cub dugout yelling at the Clinton manager who was coaching 3rd base. After the 3rd out Sandberg sprinted out of his dugout, and confronted the opposing manager grabbing him and both benches cleared! I couldn't believe it. I talked to Ryno after the game and got an autograph. He was sticking up for his players, and showed alot of fire in the belly. Whether that means he should or shouldn't be manager of the major league Cubs, I don't know, but the "Ryno is too quiet thing" doesn't hold water.
Please not a Gabby (quiet) no action manager ---Just like LOU .. Im a Cub fan for 60 years and I saw RyNO play.. BUt that has nothing to do with what the cubs need.. The Hall of fame outfielder that just went in said he was surprised Ryno went in to managaing because he was so quiet on the bench.. WOW abd you fans think because he played for us we should hire him .. With NO major league experience.. Common you want another dull manager like LOU . I dont know if Castro played for him but the guy did NOT know how to catch the ball at 2nd for making tags. Colvin wasnt playing the OF properly .. So who says he did anything.. These manager of year awards suck.. Usually whoever gets it get fired after the next year..
Give me a guy like Brenly with fire and experience. With maddus as GM .
IF you want boring again next year then let them hire Gabby.. You wont see me at a game.
First off, who says the Cardinals will be interested in Ryno anyway? I don't get this whole "We'd better hire Ryno or else the Cardinals will" junk. If the Cardinals need a new manager after this season, I'm sure they will bring in the likes of Eric Wedge and Freddi Gonzalez for interviews too. And if Joe Torre becomes available, I'd say there's a decent chance he could wind up in St. Louis should LaRussa leave.
As for the Cubs, I won't mind if Sandberg is the next manager, but they shouldn't just hand him the job without giving anyone else a serious chance. And if Torre or Girardi become available, the Cubs should definitely consider them as well. I mean, they both have won the World Series before, which is a little more prestigious than being named the Pacific Coast League manger of the year, so they should deserve at least a look.
And finally, you say a professional sports team owner is interested in making money? STOP THE PRESSES!!! And here I thought owners would rather run their team into massive debt trying to win than see a return on their investment. I guess Ricketts is just different than the 29 other owners who have no problems with running their team into massive debt all in the name of winning the World Series.
This is just another reason to make him the Cubs manager. Ryno has won at every level he has managed at in the Minor's. The Cubs will regret it for the next 20 years if they let Ryno go to another team and he wins a couple world series somewhere else. Cubs should be careful is LaRussa retires, Sandberg wouldnt hesitate to put on Cardinal red and take them to a WS.
By the way, I dont like Crane Kenney or Jim Hendry. Tom Ricketts doesnt know baseball and is more interested in money than winning.