Raven Lunatic
03-09-2002, 12:49 PM
There are rumors going around that Astros bench coach and 3B coach are being considered for the Red Sox coaching position. Here is an article from the Chronicle concerning it.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bb/1288350
Astros won't block Pea's opportunity
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Although multiple sources confirmed Friday that the Astros denied the Red Sox permission to interview bench coach Tony Peņa for their managerial post, Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker promises to grant permission if Boston officials show "serious" interest.
"If the Boston Red Sox ask for permission on Tony Peņa or any other candidate for that matter," Hunsicker said, "and tell us that they're a serious candidate for their managerial position, we will grant permission."
Out of respect for the Red Sox, Astros officials have refused to say if Boston requested permission to interview any of their coaches.
Peņa and third base coach Gene Lamont have been mentioned as potential candidates this week.
Interim Red Sox general manager Mike Port said two teams have denied him permission to interview their employees. The Oakland Athletics denied bench coach Gene Macha permission.
Without specifically discussing the Red Sox's search, Astros owner Drayton McLane Jr. took pride in having highly regarded coaches like Peņa and Lamont on manager Jimy Williams' staff.
"There's nobody I'm higher on than Tony. ... We would hate to lose either one of them," McLane said. "They're great people to be around. Tony is certainly a proven quality with what he did last year, leading (Class AAA) New Orleans to the title. And Tony will continue to get better under Jimy Williams.
"Gene Lamont has been a major-league manager with the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh. Those are two just high potential managerial (candidates). We have other great coaches, too. If I get a call, I wouldn't be surprised at all."
Peņa could not be reached for comment late Friday. Earlier, he said nobody had told him if the Red Sox requested permission to interview him. Lamont also said he had not been contacted.
Peņa, a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner in an 18-year playing career, spent the last three years at New Orleans and interviewed for the Astros' managerial position last October.
Sounds like Hunsicker is doing what he can to prevent Pena or Lamont leaving, but if the Red Sox get serious about it, one of them might be gone. The worst I think would be losing Pena, who I really wanted to become the manager instead of Jim(m)ah Williams. How much would it suck for the Astros to hire Williams, who I don't think will be the kind of manager we want, and then to lose a potentially great manager in Pena to a crappy organization like the BoSox?
I would be quite bitter.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bb/1288350
Astros won't block Pea's opportunity
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Although multiple sources confirmed Friday that the Astros denied the Red Sox permission to interview bench coach Tony Peņa for their managerial post, Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker promises to grant permission if Boston officials show "serious" interest.
"If the Boston Red Sox ask for permission on Tony Peņa or any other candidate for that matter," Hunsicker said, "and tell us that they're a serious candidate for their managerial position, we will grant permission."
Out of respect for the Red Sox, Astros officials have refused to say if Boston requested permission to interview any of their coaches.
Peņa and third base coach Gene Lamont have been mentioned as potential candidates this week.
Interim Red Sox general manager Mike Port said two teams have denied him permission to interview their employees. The Oakland Athletics denied bench coach Gene Macha permission.
Without specifically discussing the Red Sox's search, Astros owner Drayton McLane Jr. took pride in having highly regarded coaches like Peņa and Lamont on manager Jimy Williams' staff.
"There's nobody I'm higher on than Tony. ... We would hate to lose either one of them," McLane said. "They're great people to be around. Tony is certainly a proven quality with what he did last year, leading (Class AAA) New Orleans to the title. And Tony will continue to get better under Jimy Williams.
"Gene Lamont has been a major-league manager with the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh. Those are two just high potential managerial (candidates). We have other great coaches, too. If I get a call, I wouldn't be surprised at all."
Peņa could not be reached for comment late Friday. Earlier, he said nobody had told him if the Red Sox requested permission to interview him. Lamont also said he had not been contacted.
Peņa, a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner in an 18-year playing career, spent the last three years at New Orleans and interviewed for the Astros' managerial position last October.
Sounds like Hunsicker is doing what he can to prevent Pena or Lamont leaving, but if the Red Sox get serious about it, one of them might be gone. The worst I think would be losing Pena, who I really wanted to become the manager instead of Jim(m)ah Williams. How much would it suck for the Astros to hire Williams, who I don't think will be the kind of manager we want, and then to lose a potentially great manager in Pena to a crappy organization like the BoSox?
I would be quite bitter.