azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 19, 2004 12:00 AM
The Diamondbacks can't say with any certainty what their roster will look like next season, but that hasn't stopped them from moving forward with the managerial hiring process.
The team has interviewed eight candidates for the position and will begin paring the list to two or three this week, with an attempt to have the new skipper in place before baseball's free-agent signing period begins 15 days after the conclusion of the World Series.
Potential free agents will want to know who is managing the team.
Pitchers will want to know the name of the pitching coach. But General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said the selection process will not necessarily be tied to what kind of club the team hopes to field in 2005.
"It's connected to some degree," he said. "We certainly asked everybody in interviews about possibilities, from a young team vs. a veteran team, a mix, but that's only one factor. You can't make that the determining factor, because the character of your team can change from year to year. It can change dramatically."
As of Monday afternoon, the club had not informed any candidate whether he will be brought back for a second interview.
Those in the running: Diamondbacks interim manager Al Pedrique, broadcaster Mark Grace, former Seattle Mariners manager Bob Melvin, Class A Lancaster manager Wally Backman, Angels bench coach Joe Maddon, Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk, Expos third base coach Manny Acta and Rangers first base coach DeMarlo Hale.
Each candidate has something to offer, Garagiola said.
"While each person was different, the common elements were that they were also very knowledgeable, had opinions on a lot of areas, and all are very bright and articulate," he said.
"This may sound self-serving since we selected this group, but it was a very impressive group of people.
"These are people who have spent a lot of time thinking about the issues that go into managing a major league baseball team and were very well prepared to discuss their views."
The process of trying to re-sign first baseman Richie Sexson, meanwhile, continues as the free-agent signing period fast approaches.
Garagiola would not provide any updates on negotiations other than to say he plans to speak with Sexson's agent, Casey Close, again this week.
Close has not returned messages left by The Arizona Republic.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1019dbacks1019.html
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 19, 2004 12:00 AM
The Diamondbacks can't say with any certainty what their roster will look like next season, but that hasn't stopped them from moving forward with the managerial hiring process.
The team has interviewed eight candidates for the position and will begin paring the list to two or three this week, with an attempt to have the new skipper in place before baseball's free-agent signing period begins 15 days after the conclusion of the World Series.
Potential free agents will want to know who is managing the team.
Pitchers will want to know the name of the pitching coach. But General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said the selection process will not necessarily be tied to what kind of club the team hopes to field in 2005.
"It's connected to some degree," he said. "We certainly asked everybody in interviews about possibilities, from a young team vs. a veteran team, a mix, but that's only one factor. You can't make that the determining factor, because the character of your team can change from year to year. It can change dramatically."
As of Monday afternoon, the club had not informed any candidate whether he will be brought back for a second interview.
Those in the running: Diamondbacks interim manager Al Pedrique, broadcaster Mark Grace, former Seattle Mariners manager Bob Melvin, Class A Lancaster manager Wally Backman, Angels bench coach Joe Maddon, Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk, Expos third base coach Manny Acta and Rangers first base coach DeMarlo Hale.
Each candidate has something to offer, Garagiola said.
"While each person was different, the common elements were that they were also very knowledgeable, had opinions on a lot of areas, and all are very bright and articulate," he said.
"This may sound self-serving since we selected this group, but it was a very impressive group of people.
"These are people who have spent a lot of time thinking about the issues that go into managing a major league baseball team and were very well prepared to discuss their views."
The process of trying to re-sign first baseman Richie Sexson, meanwhile, continues as the free-agent signing period fast approaches.
Garagiola would not provide any updates on negotiations other than to say he plans to speak with Sexson's agent, Casey Close, again this week.
Close has not returned messages left by The Arizona Republic.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1019dbacks1019.html
