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Years before Sandy Alomar Jr. ever considered becoming a manager, Ben Cherington recognized his innate qualifications.
As a 24-year-old scout with the Cleveland Indians in 1998, Cherington often roamed a clubhouse that was ruled by Alomar, a six-time All-Star catcher with a family history of baseball excellence who was only halfway through his 20-year career.
“He didn’t know who I was, in ’98 in Cleveland,” said Cherington, the Red Sox general manager, “but I saw him in the clubhouse and saw the leader he was back then, the respect he had in that clubhouse. I’ve been sort of following him since then.”
“I like the family atmosphere type of thing,” said Alomar, who teamed with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in Texas in 2005. “I like the guys, we are a family, we bonded. We’re all together, coaches, players. That’s the way I will handle situations. But I made that transition already from a player to a coach. I don’t have a problem telling a player what they’re supposed to do.
“I’m a guy that lets the guys play the game. I definitely have some rules and you give respect to the players and you expect the players to respect you back.”
Herald - Sandy Alomar Jr: A good first impression
More than likely, one of these men will be the next Red Sox manager: Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin, Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach and old friend Dale Sveum, Toronto Blue Jays first base coach and former Pawtucket manager Torey Lovullo, Detroit Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont, and Sandy Alomar, Jr.
As of now, Cherington has "no plans" to interview any other candidates. They also plan on hiring somebody by Thanksgiving.
Nobody on that list jumps out at me as "THE GUY". As I've stated before, I trust that the Sox will chose the best available candidate. I'm just not sure that Alomar is the best man for the job.
From his quote - and I understand you can't judge a man on a single quote, but that's all I have to work with right now - he seems a little too much like Tito. Managing big egos based on the concept of 'mutual respect'. I respect you, you respect me, you go out and do your job. If there's a single takeaway from the 2011 season it's that the current makeup of this Sox squad doesn't lend itself to this type of management.
We don't need General Patton to take the helm either, but we do need someone with a little more iron in their fist. Maybe Alomar can be that guy. But I have my doubts. His lack of managerial experience doesn't help, either.
That all said, Cherington has a past with Alomar. A little familiarity can go a long when you're trying to re-stock your organization. We should know more within the next 2 weeks.
Rest of the links:
CSNNE - Philly bound? | Herald - Young arms to the call | Minor experience major for Torey Lovullo | Globe - Red Sox manager possibilities | WEEI - Sources: Cuddyer contacted by Red Sox
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