The last "retread" that the Astros hired as a manager was Phil Garner. As I recall, he managed the team to a World Series appearance.
Yeah they'll either get a "retread" or they'll be "morons" for hiring some guy with no experience... there's just no winning with fans.
Agree...I mean there are plenty of "RETREADS" who are great skippers, I mean Larussa and Torre are both so called RETREADS, so not to concerned about that. I just hope they don't get someone like Fregosi who has been out of the managing game for years and wasn't really successful minus 1993 when he did manage. Garner worked because he had a bunch of veterns with great talent and did a nice job getting out of the way until he had to step in and make a move.
No Dave Clark please. My preference is someone that has ties to the organization, or any way we can possibly get Dave Duncan, whether as manager, or pitching coach. Duncan is the highest paid assistant in the league, but how much do you think he has saved the Cardinals over the years by turning the like of Joel Pinero into Roy Oswalt.
My order of preference on the Astros next manager: 1. Eric Wedge 2. Mike Hargrove 3. Manny Acta 4. Bob Melvin 5. Tony Pena
Astros brass meet to finalize managerial candidates... http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/6659139.html General manager Ed Wade and Astros owner Drayton McLane met Thursday to finalize the club's list of about 10 candidates who will get at least one interview to try to make a case for becoming the team's manager. Wade and McLane wouldn't disclose the names on the list, but part of the interview process will include making each candidate's identity known to the public 24 hours before he is interviewed. Then each candidate will be presented to the media after the interview. Because some of the candidates are working for clubs in the postseason, there is a chance Astros officials will travel to interviews. Asking permission “We're at a point where I'll probably begin shortly, probably as early as (today), asking permission from clubs to interview persons who are under contract and to also reach out to some individuals who aren't under contract,” Wade said. “Our plan and our goal is we'll give the media 24 hours advance notice who is coming in the next day. After each individual interview we'll set aside a time for the candidates to meet with the media.” Wade, McLane, president of baseball operations Tal Smith and president of business operations Pam Gardner met Thursday for about two hours to go over the list of candidates and put together the interview process. This is the first time in this decade the club will make each managerial candidate available to the media immediately after he is interviewed. At McLane's insistence two years ago, the club did a similar introduction of general manager candidates available in the process that led to the hiring of Wade in September 2007. “He and I have been talking on the phone a lot,” McLane said of Wade. “I've been in Washington at a military conference, but we've talked about this on the phone a lot. Ed's set the parameters, set a process and that's what we'll do. “I am really excited about this process. Several times I've been part of this, and this is by and large the most professional, organized and thought-through process that I've been a part of.” Wade said he would use a round number and say the list included about 10 names. Clark a possibility The possible candidates could include former Astro Tim Bogar, the first-base coach of the Boston Red Sox. Dave Clark, who managed the club for the final 13 games on an interim basis after Cecil Cooper was fired Sept. 21, is on the list. “We'll probably reach out to about 10,” Wade said. “Don't hold me to that number, but we'll probably reach out to about 10. “We'd like to do the bulk of the interviews here. If possible we'll do some flying if the candidate is in the postseason. We are going to reach out to a couple of guys involved in the postseason. There is more than one person involved in the postseason, yes.” McLane said “hopefully the interviews start next week.” Wade promises he is not going to give out his list of candidates. “I'm going to make contact to people on the list,” he said. “As guys come in, a day in advance everybody is going to know who's the candidate coming in. Happy with list “I think it's a very solid group. I think there's a good experience in it. There's a mix of what you would refer to as veterans along with young managerial candidates. “I would be surprised if our selection is not somebody on our initial list. I think we've done a thorough investigation on our end and have come up with the right group of guys. My expectation is we'll end up hiring somebody from this initial list.” But the first interview will not be the last. In the initial interview, Wade plans to have his top baseball operations folks sit in. Once that first group is trimmed to a list of finalists, McLane will be more involved. “In the initial round of interviews, the group will meet the baseball ops (operations) people,” Wade said. “And the hope is to go to the first round with a group of about 10 and whittle that list down to a handful and then put Drayton into that group (of folks sitting in on the interview). “After we go through that second round, hopefully we'll be at that point to make the right decision. We'll try to lay it out in a thoughtful manner.” Taking shape By the weekend, in all likelihood most of the candidates will have been advised by the Astros, if they're unemployed, or by their bosses that the Astros have asked permission to interview them. Possible Postseason Candidates Tim Bogar Larry Bowa Don Mattingly Don Baylor Tony Pena and DAVE DUNCAN
Interesting note I saw this morning... Brenly talked to GM about manager's job http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/122375-brenly-talked-to-gm-about-managers-job Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly, who is doing color for TBS in the Dodgers-Cardinals NL Division Series, said he has talked with at least one general manager about a managing job. There are managerial openings in Washington, Cleveland and Houston, and more may open. Brenly said he had informal talks with Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, who worked in the Arizona front office when Brenly was managing. Chicago Tribune Could be a name to keep in mind as he fits the qualifications set by Wade/Uncle D/Tal.
Just throwing out some coaching names that are in the playoffs right now: Phillies: Sam Perlozzo(though really you gotta keep an eye on anyone from Philly, past or current) Rockies: Don Baylor Cardinals: Dave Duncan(doubtful he comes but might be something to watch as Cardinals are on the brink of elimination) Dodgers: Don Mattingley Larry Bowa(very doubtful either would leave LA & Torre but you never know.) Red Sox: Tim Bogar(Seems like a likely guy, probably higher on the list than any other guy listed so far) Angels: No real candidates IMO Yankees: Tony Pena Twins: No real candidates IMO Then throw in the 6 names Mark Berman mentions:
I think these will be the 10 guys contacted to be interviewed if there interested in the job: Ned Yost Manny Acta Jim Fregosi Bob Melvin Al Pedrique Dave Clark Eric Wedge Tim Bogar Pete Mackanin Mike Hargrove
Wade updates manager search http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/10/wade-updates-manager-search.html Astros general manager Ed Wade and his baseball operations staff will begin interviewing candidates for the full-time manager job on Wednesday at Union Station. The Astros have about 10 names on their initial list of candidates, with interim manager Dave Clark the only candidate the club has disclosed to the public. Wade said Thursday that Clark would probably the first to interview in what will likely be multiple interviews next week. After the candidate goes through the interview, he will sit down and meet with the media. Wade got a positive response when he contact several candidates Friday. "We made contact with quite a few of the prospective candidates and set interview times up for them," he said. "This is a very attractive opportunity, and everyone I talked to today was very excited and pleased."
Also got this Twitter from the hottie Alyson Footer.... alysonfooter Manny Acta acknowledges to MLB.com he has been contacted by Astros for managerial job. Story to come. (via @brianmctaggart) So far 2 of the 10 are confirmed to be.... Acta Clark
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/mlb/091009_astros_contact_manny_acta HOUSTON - The Houston Astros contacted former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta as the club begins its search to find a new manager. Acta becomes the first known candidate outside the organization. The club had already said interim manager Dave Clark is a candidate. "They have contacted me," Acta said Friday in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "To interview with the Astros is very exciting." Acta did not discuss when he will meet with Astros officials in Houston. "I can't comment on the process because it's too early," Acta said. Acta and the Astros organization have plenty of history. He signed with the organization as a player when he was 17 and spent six years in their minor leagues. After his playing days Acta worked in the Astros minor league system for ten years, two as a coach and eight as a manager. In 1999 Acta managed the Kissimmee Cobras to the Florida State League Championship. The only time an Astros minor league team has won that title. "It's a very special place to me because I spent 16 years of my career there," Acta said. "Everything I have I owe to the Astros. "They signed me and developed me into the baseball man that I am." Acta was the manager of the Nationals for a little over two and a half years, compiling a win-loss record of 158-252. Astros general manager Ed Wade said Thursday the club would announce each of the team's candidates for manager 24 hours prior to their interviews. He said the club's intial plans are to interview about ten candidates. The Astros are looking for a replacement for manager Cecil Cooper who was fired with 13 games left in the regular season.
From Justice on Chron.com I dont know if it is official or not but if you want, add Fregosi's name to the 10 candidate list More from him... http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/6661249.html
Dick Justice openly campaigning for Jim Fregosi. Remember this is the same guy who openly campaigned for Mike Sherman for the Texas A&M job in 2007 and for Scott Linehan for the Texans job in 2005.
Mike Sherman may actually end up being the right guy for the A&M job. A better O-line and better secondary, and that is a pretty good team.
I'm just stating the obvious here but expect things to heat up now, well sorta. Boston & St Louis are out of it, so if either has potential candidates, look for the interview process to happen sooner rather than later. I assume they'll talk with Bogar. Duncan and/or La Russa are possible but not probable IMO
My first thought when reading this drivel was Justice's first article the day after the Astros hire Fregosi. "ASTROS MAKE HORRIBLE MISTAKE IN FREGOSI"
