BOSTON -- Grady Little won't manage the 2004 Red Sox. Exactly who will won't be known for, at minimum, another few weeks.
General manager Theo Epstein and CEO and president Larry Lucchino declined to even begin speculation on a successor to Little, who was told yesterday that he wouldn't return after two seasons in the Boston dugout, saying such an exercise would be "inappropriate" under the circumstances.
The two did say that the Red Sox management team would be looking for a "balance" -- someone with Little's ability to relate and communicate with players, while, without saying so specifically, someone more willing and able to incorporate statistical data and scouting reports into making in-game decisions.
"This isn't going to be a stat-geeks organization," vowed Lucchino. "Nor is it going to be an organization that is going to be run by old, salty-dog traditionalists."
Though the decision to not retain Little was made last week -- and delayed by fiat of the commissioner -- the Sox had yet to contact other organizations to seek permission to interview candidates under contract. That process could begin as soon as today.
One thing is certain: the successful candidate will be an outsider. Though two members of the current coaching staff -- bench coach Jerry Narron and third-base coach Mike Cubbage -- have previous managerial experience (Narron with the Texas Rangers and Cubbage in the minor leagues and briefly, as the Sox interim manager immediately prior to Little's hiring), neither will be considered for the opening. Nor will any other in-house candidates.
Though no short-list of candidates has been compiled, there have been informal discussions about potential managerial choices. Interestingly, the Red Sox will not make previous managerial experience -- either in the major leagues or the minor leagues -- a prerequisite.
Among the likely contenders:
BUD BLACK, Anaheim Angels pitching coach. Black has no managerial experience whatsoever. However, he's gained notice for his handling of the Angels' staff and was instrumental in the club's 2002 championship.
Merely being in the presence of Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia -- one of the most highly regarded young managers in the game -- has been beneficial to Black, as was his brief experience as a front office executive with the Cleveland Indians.
Black's lack of experience may make him a tough sell for the Boston market with its intense media demands and high fan expectations. Still, so highly regarded is Black that he may well be the front-runner as the process begins.
GLENN HOFFMAN, Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach. Shortly before deciding to hire Little, the Red Sox contacted Hoffman in March of 2002 and were given permission to speak to him about the opening. He declined, saying he didn't want to uproot his family from the West Coast at a time when the Red Sox ownership was new and no permanent general manager was in place.
Now, those issues are moot.
Hoffman briefly managed the Dodgers in 1998 after Bill Russell was fired, compiling a 47-41 record before being replaced by Davey Johnson when Kevin Malone replaced Tommy Lasorda as Dodgers GM. As the Red Sox shortstop during the early 1980s, he understands the pressures associated with Boston.
TERRY FRANCONA, bench coach Oakland A's. Francona, too, has big-league managerial service on his résumé having managed the Philadelphia Phillies for four seasons (285-363).
Ironically, he once served as coach for Little in the Arizona Fall League and later, managed a basketball player intent on changing careers -- Michael Jordan -- as well as current Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.
Francona failed in his tenure with the Phils, unable to post a winning record and never finishing higher than third in the N.L. East. But many believe that, given a second chance, he can still be an excellent manager.
The Baltimore Orioles, who have a managerial opening of their own, are also interested in Francona.
JOEL SKINNER, Cleveland Indians bench coach. Skinner lost out to former Red Sox catcher Eric Wedge when the Indians went looking for a new manager last winter, but is still seen as a potential big-league manager.
He was successful managing at Buffalo -- the Tribe's Triple A affiliate -- and knows Josh Byrnes, Epstein's assistant who served as the Indians' scouting director.
The Indians' current baseball philosophy -- with an emphasis on statistics, analysis and player projections -- is quite similar to that of the Red Sox, which would make for a smooth transition.
Other names are certain to surface. Club sources, however, categorically ruled out Charlie Manuel yesterday, who managed two seasons in Cleveland -- with Little as his bench coach -- and now serves as a special assistant with the Philadelphia Phillies.
And while Lucchino's obsession with the Yankees is well-documented, it's higly unlikely that two current New York coaches with managerial aspirations -- Willie Randolph and Lee Mazzilli -- will be in the mix.
