Will Mike Scioscia's pitching coach Bud Black be the next in line to hop on the managerial carousel?
By Douglas Benton
In a world of ever-constant change, it is never too early to start looking at the next coach who can turn around your team. However, instead of going through the old-tread managers that seem to just get passed around, even though they never win, here are the top-10 coaches who should get a shot at the Major League level.
10. Rafael Belliard, Infield Coach, Detroit Tigers:
This one is a little bit of a reach, but his pedigree thus far makes him a great candidate to look out for. He played under Jim Leyland and Bobby Cox, and was a special roving instructor for the Braves before joining Leyland?s staff in Detroit. Always considered a player who got more out of his talent because of his effort, Belliard would be an excellent candidate for a team that hasn?t lived up to their potential.
9. Harold Baines, 1st Base Coach, Chicago White Sox:
Baines has filled almost every position possible for the White Sox, from the front office, to hitting coach, bench coach, and now 1st base coach. Baines had a fabulous career as mostly a DH, but his numbers will give him instant respect in any clubhouse. He also has a World Series ring now, which makes him a more attractive sale. Still a few years away from managing, but an interesting prospect none the less.
8. Terry Pendleton, Hitting Coach, Atlanta Braves:
Pendleton?s name surfaced in Philadelphia before Charlie Manuel got the job, but that shouldn?t be the last time he hears him named being thrown around. Pendleton has a successful big-league career, which was highlighted by a 1991 MVP trophy, which started the Braves? run of division titles. Pendleton is in the Bobby Cox mold and gets great respect from all of the players. He was very instrumental in the changes to Andruw Jones? swing last year.
7. Mike Maddux, Pitching Coach, Milwaukee Brewers:
For a while, he was not much more than the brother of future hall of famer Greg Maddux, but now he has begun to make his own name in the coaching ranks. Maddux has built a very formidable pitching staff that has been a leading force behind the resurgence of the Brewers these last few years. Maddux has done so without top talent and should start hearing managerial whispers in the coming years.
6. Dave Righetti, Pitching Coach, San Francisco Giants:
This is probably long overdue for Righetti, who had an outstanding big league career and has been a key part of the Giants? success over the years. Righetti has the confidence of both Dusty Baker and Felipe Alou, for whom he has served under and kept an undermanned pitching staff at the top of the league. He should have already gotten a job, but this off-season, he will be in the running for multiple jobs.
5. Jay Bell, Bench Coach, Arizona Diamondbacks:
In two years, this will be the best candidate on the list because of his baseball intellect and his willingness to get better in everything he does. Bell has won a World Series with Arizona and was always well respected by his peers. Very comparable to Joe Girardi in Florida, where he might need a few more years as a coach, but some team should snatch him up to get him off of the market.
4. Ron Washington, Third Base Coach, Oakland A?s:
Washington has been a mainstay by the bay since 1996, where he has stayed the course through managerial changes, as well as the revolution that is Moneyball. Still, he has become a trusted coach in Oakland and is credited with improving the infield defense of the A?s over the years. He has the skills to manage for an organization that is stats-based or one that is more traditional, which makes him valuable to many organizations.
3. Manny Acta, 3rd Base Coach, New York Mets:
Acta is one of the most polished candidates on his list because of his managerial experience in the Dominican Leagues, as well as his time as manager of the Dominican Republic in the WBC. Acta is well-respected throughout baseball and has earned manager of the year awards in both the Dominican and the Minor Leagues here in the states. Another candidate that is long overdue, but that should end this off-season.
2. Rudy Jaramillo, Hitting Coach, Texas Rangers:
By far, Jaramillo is the best hitting coach in the game, but has somehow been left out of the managerial game of musical chairs. He is in his 12th season as hitting coach for the Rangers, which shows that he is respected by more than one manager, and was named 2005 Major League coach of the Year by Baseball America. Sometimes coaches get lost in the shuffle after a while, but hopefully some team finds Rudy and give him the chance he deserves.
1. Bud Black, Pitching Coach, Los Angeles Angels:
Ever since the Angels won the World Series in 2002, Black?s name has constantly been in the news for the next opening. Well, his time hasn?t come yet, which is sad. Black has led the Angels to great pitching success, with the lowest team ERA last season since 1989. Still Black doesn?t get that final call and is still waiting, maybe even for an opening on his own team.
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