By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dave Miley, former manager of the Louisville River Bats, responds to questions during a press conference at Slugger Field after being called up to manage the Cincinnati Reds. (Durell Hall, Jr. photo) | ZOOM |

A decade and a half removed from managing in the South Atlantic League, Dave Miley got the call Monday that he'd waited on for so long.

The firing of Reds manager Bob Boone - one of four dismissals by the club Monday - allowed Miley to step in as Cincinnati's interim manager for the remainder of the season.

The 41-year-old, who was drafted by the Reds and caught seven seasons in their minor league system, has managed Cincinnati's Triple-A affiliate since 1996.

"It's a dream come true," said Miley, who has led Louisville for the past four seasons and will join the Reds today. "There aren't a whole lot of people that have spent that many years in an organization.

"To have a chance to go up there at the major league level with the organization that you were drafted by and been in for this long, I'm very excited."

The Tampa, Fla., resident earned the chance.

Honored as a manager of the year while in Chattanooga and Indianapolis, Miley had compiled a 1,115-841 record as a minor league manager through Sunday.

"He's been very loyal to our organization," chief operating officer John Allen said. "In his situation, especially, let's see what he can do.

Miley kisses his wife Andrea after a press conference at Slugger Field. (Durell Hall, Jr. photo) | ZOOM |

"But it's also, 'Hey Dave, you've done a great job.' And there's a little bit of a reward in the thinking there, also. I'm excited to see what Dave can do."

Most impressive about Miley, who was the Reds' bench coach under Tony Perez in 1993 and an assistant minor league field coordinator in 1994, is the respect he already has in the clubhouse and front office.

"He's a very astute guy that is fun-loving and easy-going," Reds third base coach Ray Knight said. "But he expects things to be done correctly.

"This is a guy that has had so much to do with the development of everybody in this organization."

Eight of the nine players in the Reds starting lineup Monday, and 19 of 25 on the active roster, have spent time playing for Miley in the minors.

"He respects you as gentlemen, ballplayers and professionals," closer Scott Williamson said. "He just lets you go out there and play the game."

Whether or not Miley is considered the long-term solution is undetermined. The Reds, Allen said, will conduct "an extensive search," that may not conclude until after the World Series.

"My goal is to go up there and hopefully we can get these guys on a run, just go up and do the best I can from the standpoint of managing in the major leagues," Miley said.

The Dave Miley file

AGE: 41

RESIDES: Tampa, Fla.

MANAGERIAL HONORS: Manager 2002 International League All-Stars; 2001 International League Championship; voted International League's best managerial prospect by Baseball America in 1998; 1997 manager of the year with Triple-A Indianapolis; 1995 Southern League manager of the year; 1995 Double-A manager of the year.

MANAGERIAL RECORD

SEASON TEAM	LEAGUE(CLASS)	RECORD	PCT.
1988 Greensboro	South Atlantic League (A)	79-60	.568
1989 Cedar Rapids	Midwest League (A)	80-57	.584
1990 Cedar Rapids	Midwest League (A)	88-46	.657
1991 Charleston	South Atlantic League	51-26	.662
1992 Chattanooga	Southern League (AA)	51-26	.662
Nashville	Southern League (AA)	32-36	.471
1993 Reds bench coach	--	--	--
1994 Reds assistant minor league field coordinator	--	--	--
1995 Chattanooga	Southern League	83-60	.580
1996 Indianapolis	American Association (AAA)	78-66	.542
1997 Indianapolis	American Association (AAA)	85-59	.590
1998 Indianapolis	International League (AAA)	76-67	.531
1999 Indianapolis	International League (AAA)	75-69	.521
2000 Louisville	International League (AAA)	71-73	.493
2001 Louisville	International League (AAA)	84-60	.583
2002 Louisville	International League (AAA)	79-65	.549
2003 Louisville	International League (AAA)	62-47*	.569

*Entering Monday