Update on Cubs Managerial Search

The front runners remain Mike Quade and Ryne Sandberg, reports Paul Sullivan of the Tribune (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-12/sports/ct-spt-1013-cubs-manager-chicago--20101012_1_mike-quade-chairman-tom-ricketts-manager-search).  That is a no doubter, but it will be interesting to see which one they choose because whichever they do choose will be negative effects on a greater group of people.  As a new ownership group, Tom Ricketts and family have to be conservative.  Especially, especially in a big market like Chicago with our tradition.  If they came out aggressive changing traditions and such at Wrigley, the people would react negatively because the public just isn't that used to change that quick.  However, if Quade is hired as manager then the question becomes what to do about Ryne Sandberg.  He could become the bench coach, but it makes for sense for him to continue managing.  Sandberg has done a great job in four minor league seasons with the Cubs, and other teams are interested.  The absolute worst case scenario for the Cubs is him being hired by someone else and catching on there, turning the team into a winner.  So if the Cubs hire Quade, they will really want Sandberg to be the bench coach.  If the Cubs hire Sandberg, then there might be some unrest within the team.  The players have spoken out unanimously saying they want Quade, which is surprising because he only was an interim manager for a month and a half and the Cubs are looking at some more high profile candidates.  I think they will go with Sandberg, but I don't know what this means for Quade.  The other candidates are long shots.  Bob Brenly ruled himself out for reasons he doesn't want to admit, and Eric Wedge was given a courtesy interview but doesn't have any experience in the Cubs system.  I see no reason for Joe Girardi to leave the Yankees, and just because he played catcher for the Cubs in the early 2000s doesn't mean he would want to come back here.  Cubs officials have been watching Girardi for any signs determining his desire or not to leave New York.  Basically, they've been watching him advance in the postseason once again and manage his bullpen over a chalupa (see video).  Not much to suggest he wants to leave.

Why Bob Brenly Should Be the Next Cubs Manager

Bob Brenly was hired as the Cubs TV Color Commentator prior to the 2005 season and the most impressive spot on his resume that included stints as a player and manager was his 2001 World Series Champioship with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  He was a lifetime .247 hitter as a catcher in a nine year Major League career.  In his prime years, between 1984 and 1987, he hit .257 with 73 HR, 249 RBI, and 27 SB.  He was hired as a baseball analyst for Fox between 1996 and 2000, when he replaced Buck Showalter as Diamondbacks manager.  He went 303-262 as manager with two postseason appearances in three and a half years (he was fired after a 29-50 start to 2004).  After being replaced by Al Pedrique, he was hired the next season as Cubs TV color commentator to work with Len Kasper who had also just been hired.  Since then, Brenly has done a fantastic job in the broadcast booth speaking like a true baseball person.

There is lots of competition for this job, and yes I will get around all of them.  The list includes: Joe Girardi, Ryne Sandberg, Fredi Gonzalez, Joe Torre, and Brenly.  Girardi won NL Manager of the Year honors with the 2006 Marlins only to be fired the offseason following.  He became Yankees manager in 2008 and won the World Series his second year, leading those Yankees to yet another title.  Sandberg, a Hall of Famer for his amazing play at Wrigley in the 1980s and 90s, is currently managing the AAA Iowa Cubs after managing the Peoria Chiefs.  Just like the minor leaguers on his team, he is hoping for the call up to the show once again.  Gonzalez, highly respected in the baseball world for his admirable job managing the perennially underrated Marlins squad, has gone somewhat under the radar in this search.  While Lou Piniella retires likely to remain at 14th on the all-time wins leaderboard among managers, Torre ranks 4th all-time with 2,299 including 1,173 with the Yankees where he won six AL pennants and four World Series titles.  Currently managing the Dodgers, he has decided not to return to LA for 2011.

First, before I knock everyone else out, I need to sneak in a note about Ryne Sandberg.  Sandberg would be a fantastic Cubs manager.  His managing down on the farm is reportedly very good and not just a courtesy to a former great who wanted a shot at managing.  He is a hard-nosed baseball dude, and he played here and understands what that means as a member of the organization.  This is no small market club, and he truly believes he is capable of handling and succeeding at this job (http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5398569), and Cub fans should believe in him.  If Bob Brenly isn't the Cubs manager for 2011, Ryne Sandberg is.  At least in my mind.

Brenly is my choice.  And here is why.  To become a great manager right away, instead of getting yourself settled for an entire year and figuring out everything on the job, you need to be familiar with everyone involved.  Brenly has been a part of this organization intensely since 2005, and knows everyone within it.  As a commentator, he is the guy who knows all of the stats about the Cubs strengths and weaknesses.  He knows what the fans are like.  He knows the players.  He knows the staff.  He knows how to manage.  He wears a World Series ring around.  He could make an immediate impact because he knows this club inside and out.  No other candidate can say that.