Tuesday, October 03, 2000
Odds on Reds next manager
RON OESTER: 3-1
Age: 44
Current job: Reds third base coach since 1999, infield coach since 1997; first base coach, 1993-95, 1998.
Managerial experience: Double-A Chattanooga, 1992, 37-27 and second-half Southern League West Division champions.
Playing experience: Spent entire 13-year major league career as Reds' second baseman (1978-90), hitting .265. Best season was 1985, when he hit .295; considered one of best fielding second baseman of his time.
Contract status: Signed through 2001.
Pros: Knows and has credibility among the players; is considered an intense, fire-'em-up guy who commands respect and also enjoys a good relationship with players. Cincinnati native who lives here year-round. Would come relatively cheap.
Cons: No major league managing experience; some may think he's too intense.
LOU PINIELLA: 5-1
Age: 57
Current job: Seattle Mariners manager since 1993.
Managerial experience: 255-231 as Reds manager from 1990-92; won World Series with 1990 Reds and 1995 AL West Division with Seattle; has Mariners in first place this season.
Playing experience: 16-year career as outfielder for Indians, Royals and Yankees, hitting .291 with 102 home runs and 766 RBI. AL Rookie of Year in 1969, hitting .282 with 11 homers and 68 RBI. All-Star in 1972, when he led the AL with 33 doubles. Had nine-game World Series hitting streak with Yankees from 1977-78 and 1981.
Contract status: Signed through this season.
Pros: Big name with stellar reputation here and throughout baseball. Has good relationship with Ken Griffey Jr.
Cons: Seattle would be crazy to let him go. If he did, Tampa Bay, where he lives in the offseason, might also be interested if it fires Larry Rothschild. His salary would be steep.
DAVEY JOHNSON: 8-1
Age: 57
Current job: Los Angeles Dodgers manager since 1999
Managerial experience: Has a 1,142-884 record in 14 years in majors with Mets (1984-90), Reds (1993-95), Orioles (1996-97) and Dodgers. Won 1986 World Series with Mets and managed the '88 Mets, '95 Reds and '96 and '97 Orioles to the League Championship Series. Fourth among active managers in wins.
Playing experience: Hit .261 with 136 home runs and 609 RBI as an infielder in 13 years with the Orioles, Braves, Phillies and Cubs; N.L. Comeback Player of the Year in 1973 when he hit 42 homers; four-time All-Star.
Contract status: Signed with Dodgers through 2001, but rumors in L.A. are he could be on his way out because Dodgers have underachieved.
Pros: Big name, already has managed here, compiling a 204-172 record. A favorite of Reds general manager Jim Bowden.
Cons: Left after nasty disagreement with then-managing partner Marge Schott, but Schott is no longer in control. Would command a hefty paycheck.
KEN GRIFFEY SR.: 10-1
Age: 50
Current job: Reds bench coach since 1999; first base coach 1996-97, hitting coach 1997-98; also coached with Seattle and Colorado from 1993-96.
Managerial experience: Arizona Fall League, 1998; Dominican Winter League, 1999.
Playing experience: 19 years as outfielder with Reds (1973-81, 1988-90), Yankees, Braves and Mariners. Three-time All-Star, hit .305 and .336 in 1975-76 and was a key member of the Big Red Machine world champions. Career .296 hitter with 152 home runs.
Contract status: Signed through 2001.
Pros: He's Junior's dad; has some experience and has been considered a possible McKeon successor since before son came here; big name popular with fans; Reds will be urged by major league baseball to consider hiring a minority candidate.
Cons: He's Junior's dad; walked out for a day in bizarre 1998 incident claiming he was mad at the organization, an event that led some in the organization to question his stability; no major league managerial experience.
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BOB BOONE: 15-1
Age: 53
Current job: Assistant to Reds GM Jim Bowden since 1997.
Managerial experience: 181-206 record with Kansas City Royals from 1995-97.
Playing experience: 19 years with Phillies, Angels and Royals. Established major league records for most games caught (2,225, since broken by Carlton Fisk) and most seasons catching at least 100 games (15). Won seven Gold Gloves, played in four All-Star Games, six LCS and the 1980 World Series. Career .265 hitter.
Contract status: Already working for Reds.
Pros: He knows the club and could step in just as McKeon did in 1997 from the front office; has previous experience; wants to manage again; intelligent.
Cons: Son Aaron is Reds third baseman, which is never an easy situation; lack of success with Royals; got bad press when he appeared to position himself for the job this summer.
Others candidates:
Dave Miley, Reds Triple-A manager.
Clint Hurdle, Colorado Rockies hitting coach.
Hal McRae. Ex-Red, was Cincinnati's hitting instructor from 1995-96. He compiled a 286-277 record with Kansas City from 1991-94.
Terry Collins, managed Houston (1994-96) and Anaheim (1997-99).
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Odds on Reds next manager
