ST. LOUIS — The Reds have asked the Oakland Athletics for permission to interview bench coach Ken Macha for their managerial vacancy, a baseball source said Tuesday.

        Athletics general manager Billy Beane could not be reached to confirm whether he would allow Macha, 50, to talk with Cincinnati. But since Macha is interviewing for the Pittsburgh Pirates' managerial opening today, Beane is not expected to stand in his way.

        Macha said from his home near Pittsburgh that nobody from the Reds had called him yet.

        A former infielder with Pittsburgh, Montreal and Toronto, Macha also has coached with the Expos and Angels. He spent four seasons managing at the Double- and Triple-A levels in Boston's system and compiled a 317-249 record.

        Another managerial prospect who has been said to interest the Reds is Hal McRae, the former Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach who held that position with Cincinnati in 1995-96.

        But McRae said from his home in Florida that the Reds had not contacted him about interviewing him for the position.

        “Sure, I would love to manage again,” said McRae, who managed Kansas City to a 286-277 record from 1991-94. “But it doesn't make sense to address it until I've had some contact. Until there's some interest from someone, my position is wait and see. I hope to get an opportunity to interview.

        “I can't go any further than that.”

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