Frustrated by the pace of negotiations, and involved in an intricate game of chess, the Marlins continues to interview new faces for manager's job.

 

Below are a couple stories that should stir some debate here:

 

Hassey an option if Girardi doesn't manage Marlins

 

By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Saturday, October 15, 2005

 

If Joe Girardi becomes the Marlins' next manager, he might try to bring retired slugger Andres Galarraga with him as hitting coach, according to an American League source who was briefed Friday on the Marlins' managerial search.

 

And if Girardi does not take the job, the Marlins are looking at Ron Hassey as a possible fall-back, the source said.

 

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria wants Girardi to succeed Jack McKeon, who resigned Oct. 2. But the owner is concerned that Girardi apparently is in no rush to decide whether he wants the job.

 

Girardi, the New York Yankees bench coach, has interviewed twice with the Marlins, and both sides said no offer has been made. Girardi has an interview scheduled for Sunday with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. And there is speculation that the Illinois native would be pursued by the Chicago Cubs if manager Dusty Baker does not return next season.

 

Another wild card is the Yankees. Girardi could stay on to work with manager Joe Torre with the idea of succeeding Torre.

 

"The ball is in Girardi's court," a Marlins source said Friday. "He's looking at weighing everything. And don't discount (Yankees owner) George Steinbrenner."

 

Girardi's agent, Steve Mandell, was supposed talk with the Marlins on Friday, but it was unclear if that conversation took place. Neither Mandell nor Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest returned calls.

 

Loria has had his eye on Girardi for more than a year. The Marlins owner apparently thought the managerial search would have gone quicker and was not happy that Girardi brought his agent with him to both interviews this month, the American League source said.

 

As a result, the source said Hassey, who managed Florida's Class AA Carolina Mudcats in 2004, is getting strong consideration. Hassey, Seattle's bench coach last year, has been invited by the Mariners to return next season.

 

Hassey spent 14 seasons in the major leagues and played for the 1989 World Series champion Oakland A's.

 

Atlanta third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez is another strong candidate, and he impressed the Marlins during his interview last week, a source said. Gonzalez said Friday he has not spoken with the Marlins since his interview.

 

Tampa Bay first-base coach Billy Hatcher, Oakland third-base coach Ron Washington and former Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price also have interviewed with the Marlins. Tampa Bay third-base coach Tom Foley is supposed to interview with Florida on Monday.

 

If Girardi manages the Marlins, there is speculation he would try to bring former Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre. If Stottlemyre doesn't come, Gil Patterson, the Yankees' Class AAA pitching coach, is a possibility for the Marlins' coaching job.

 

Gary Tuck, a former Yankees catching instructor, is another name mentioned as a possible Marlins coach if Girardi gets the job. But Girardi is said to favor Galarraga as his hitting coach.

 

Galarraga retired after the 2004 season with 399 home runs through 19 years. The five-time All Star is a native of Venezuela. His presence with the Marlins would be a bonus in a lineup featuring rising star Miguel Cabrera, a Venezuelan who was disciplined in September for breaking team rules.

 

Galarraga, who lives part-time in suburban West Palm Beach, could not be reached Friday.

 

Macha back as A's manager: Out last week as Oakland's manager, Ken Macha was given his old job back after GM Billy Beane had a change of heart. Macha, who led the A's to the AL West title in 2003, received a three-year deal.

 

San Diego: The Padres will not renew the contracts of coaches Davey Lopes and Rob Picciolo and advance scout Jeff Gardner.

 

Tampa Bay: Alan Trammell, fired last week by the Tigers, interviewed for the Devil Rays' manager job.

 

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...aseru_1015.html

 

 

and if those options aren't enough...

 

Scott a fallback candidate

 

He's been in game more than 3 decades

 

By Mike Berardino

Staff writer

Posted October 15 2005

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- In more than three decades in minor league, independent and international baseball, Marty Scott has managed the likes of J.D. Drew, Darryl Strawberry, Kenny Rogers, Jack Morris, Juan Gonzalez and Sammy Sosa.

 

That breadth of experience, along with a long-held friendship with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, prompted the Marlins to interview Scott this week for their managerial opening.

 

"I'm very honored about it," Scott said Friday from his Dallas home. "They treated me with the utmost respect and made me feel very welcome. This is something I'm very interested in."

 

Scott, 52, met with the Marlins for 41/2 hours in Manhattan on Tuesday. Following earlier sessions that day with big-league coaches Fredi Gonzalez and Ron Washington, Scott interviewed with Loria, General Manager Admin Beinfest and Assistant GM Michael Hill.

 

Scott was the Rangers' farm director while Loria owned the Triple-A Oklahoma City affiliate during the early 1990s. In 2002, just as Loria was taking over the Marlins, he called Scott and asked him which job he wanted with the organization. With a heavy heart, Scott had to turn down Loria's overture because he had just signed on as president of a three-team syndicate in the independent Central League.

 

"Jeffrey and I go way back," Scott said. "We gained a mutual respect for each other, not only in baseball interest but baseball knowledge."

 

Now a consultant for the Central League, Scott has managed more than 1,200 games, including instructional league. His teams have won three league championships, and he has managed Team USA in five competitions, including a victory in the inaugural women's baseball World Cup in 2004.

 

Scott entered pro ball in 1973 and spent a decade as a utility player in the Rangers system, making it as far as Triple-A. He has known Hill since he was a Rangers minor leaguer.

 

Scott realizes he's a long shot in a search that has largely centered on Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi, but the Marlins assured Scott their interest was real.

 

"I don't fulfill a minority quota, so they didn't have to bring me there to do that," Scott said. "I'm not Lou Piniella or Joe Torre, so I'm not going to bring any national scoop. I view this as a legitimate interest with possibilities if things don't work out with other people."

 

Scott's background in player development would be a selling point if Loria decides to lower the payroll and go with a younger roster. But even if the Marlins retain a veteran feel, Scott believes he could handle the challenge.

 

"I told them I'm not intimidated by major league players," Scott said. "If something needs to be said, I'll say it. My philosophy is to nip problems in the bud."

 

Also Friday, Steve Mandell, Girardi's agent, there was "no movement" in his client's discussions with the Marlins and Devil Rays.

 

"We'll be getting together [with the Marlins] the next few days or so," Mandell said. "It might just be by phone."

 

Girardi, who turned 41 Friday, will interview with the Devil Rays on Sunday.

 

Due to scheduling problems, former Devil Rays coach Tom Foley did not interview with the Marlins on Friday and will meet with them next week.

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins

If the FO is becoming impatient with Girardi, then why haven't they turned up the interest in Fredi? It's mentioned the interview went well him, yet they are continuing to consider less experienced managers. I'd like to see a report that they are continuing discussions with Fredi.

The manager needs to be signed before the world series ends IMO. At this point, I think Fredi Gonzalez is the best option. He knows the Marlins organization. He's worked in possibly the best franchise in baseball in the Atlanta Braves, he has experience and seems to want to come here.

I'm starting to dislike Girardi, he seems to think too highly of himself or something, choosing all his staff and s*** like if he was the greatest manager out there. As of now, I want Fredi, f*** Girardi.

I'm starting to dislike Girardi, he seems to think too highly of himself or something, choosing all his staff and s*** like if he was the greatest manager out there. As of now, I want Fredi, f*** Girardi.

 

 

I feel the same way. One thing is to try to increase the bidding war between different teams, but he's taken it way too far.

At this point it seems evident everyone here has spoken their mind, or made their choices for who they would like to see as the new Marlins manager.

 

I would hope we could stop repeating ourselves in every new thread on the managerial subject.

 

There's some great stuff to be gleaned from these stories, such as the idea of Andres Gallaraga as hitting coach (and mentor) for the Fish, or the possibility of Stottlemyre or Patterson coming in as pitching coach, or even that the Marlins are expanding their universe of possible new managers day by day.

 

The same old same old is getting, well, old.

2003, we keep repeating ourselves because Girardi is acting like an annoying prick. Some of us just don't understand all the fuss about him. I do agree that there are some great stories involved... but all of that is speculation. We need a manager first and foremost.

The Big Cat I think is a pretty good choice for hitting coach. He has, among all the actual hitting qualifications, the fact that he can relate to all the different cultures on the team. I know some think that the hispanic issue is being beaten into the ground and what not but it really is a big thing here. Even before this season there were problems based on some sort of issue with hispanic players not relating to one of the non-hispanic coaches.

I'm starting to dislike Girardi, he seems to think too highly of himself or something, choosing all his staff and s*** like if he was the greatest manager out there. As of now, I want Fredi, f*** Girardi.

 

 

I feel the same way. One thing is to try to increase the bidding war between different teams, but he's taken it way too far.

 

I know Marlins2003 has already covered this better than I can - but you guys need to give it a break. Every manager should have the right to choose their staff. It's their team - they will be running the ship. It's easier to run the ship with your own people - not someone else's.

I like the idea of adding Galarraga, I like the idea of becoming impatient with Girardi to essentially say to him "you want it, come get it," but I don't like that the 'search' doesn't include a follow up with Gonzalez. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he must have absolutely flunked his interview if the Marlins haven't at least given him a call-back given the stalemate of the negotiations.

I like the idea of adding Galarraga, I like the idea of becoming impatient with Girardi to essentially say to him "you want it, come get it," but I don't like that the 'search' doesn't include a follow up with Gonzalez. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he must have absolutely flunked his interview if the Marlins haven't at least given him a call-back given the stalemate of the negotiations.

 

 

I agree. We should become impatient with Girardi and tell him to take it or leave it... although I hear we haven't made an offer yet. It sounds as if Loria was annoyed by a few things Girardi has done. I am curious about what's going on with Fredi.

GALLARAGA as hitting coach? holy sh*t.

 

Even though Lou was my first choice, I want Girardi now :lol .

GALLARAGA as hitting coach? holy sh*t.

 

Even though Lou was my first choice, I want Girardi now :lol .

 

 

Well maybe that way we won't see as many "fire the hitting coach" threads next season... :mischief2

Great, the Marlins could have a Rally Big Cat instead of the monkey

 

 

 

I'm starting to dislike Girardi, he seems to think too highly of himself or something, choosing all his staff and s*** like if he was the greatest manager out there. As of now, I want Fredi, f*** Girardi.

 

 

I feel the same way. One thing is to try to increase the bidding war between different teams, but he's taken it way too far.

 

I know Marlins2003 has already covered this better than I can - but you guys need to give it a break. Every manager should have the right to choose their staff. It's their team - they will be running the ship. It's easier to run the ship with your own people - not someone else's.

 

Exactly. To an extent, I feel Girardi should have a right to choose his staff. It's his first chance to run the helm of a major league ballclub on the field and he wants to succeed. If that means surrounding himself with people that will make his job comfortable, so be it. Put it in geeky terms, if Captain Kirk became the next manager, he would want Spock and McCoy on his staff, a decision not negotiable. Why? Because they are people he is used to, trusts, and works well with together.

While watching baseball this evening (go White Sox!) I thought I'd pull up some stuff on Ron Hassey and familiarize myself with the guy who has a history with the Marlins and its current ownership. Here goes:

----------------

Ron Hassey, who managed the Double-A Carolina Mudcats this past baseball season (2004), is heading back to the major leagues. New Seattle Mariners manager Mike Hargrove hired Hassey to be the American League team's bench coach.

 

Last month, Hassey, 51, had accepted the Florida Marlins' offer to manage the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes next season, replacing former Mudcats manager Tracy Woodson, who was not retained at the end of the season. The Mudcats' managerial position has not been filled.

 

He played 14 seasons as a catcher with the Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Montreal Expos.

 

Hassey is the only player in history to catch two perfect games. He did it on May 5, 1981, for Cleveland's Len Barker against the Toronto Blue Jays and on July 29, 1991, for Montreal's Dennis Martinez against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

Hargrove also opted to retain pitching coach Bryan Price.

 

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/basebal...p-8065847c.html

 

SKIPPER RON HASSEY PROMOTED TO AAA ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES

Hassey 3rd Skipper In Three Years for Tinkering 'Topes

 

MLN Newswire - ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The Florida Marlins have chosen Ron Hassey to manage the Albuquerque Isotopes for the 2005 season.

 

Hassey spent the 2004 season in his managerial debut as the skipper of the Marlins' Double-A affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats, leading them to a 73-66 record in the Southern League[base ']s East Division.

 

http://sun10259.dn.net/rawfeed/categories/...2004/10/06.html

 

August 19, 2004

 

Birmingham, AL - The Carolina Mudcats torched the Southern League's top-rated pitching staff for the second straight nigh en route to a 10-4 win over the Birmingham Barons at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on Thursday night.

 

Josh Willingham (HR, 20, 1-3, 2r, 2rbi, 2w, k) homered as part of a six-run third inning as Carolina (25-27, 62-60) amassed 12 more hits, and 26 against the Barons in the last two games.

 

Nic Ungs (W, 9-8, 6ip, 7h, 2r, 2er, 0w, 5k) won for the fourth time in five starts. Ungs allowed four first-inning hits, but exited the inning trailing just 1-0 when Norm Martel grounded into a double play. Ungs allowed just three more hits over the next five innings.

 

Billy Hall (2-5, rbi, w) extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an infield single in the second inning, which scored Rob Ryan (0-3, 2r, rbi, 2w) to tie the game.

 

For the second straight night, Carolina drubbed a Barons starting pitcher, with Dennis Ulacia (L, 7-7) working just 2 2/3 innings. Ulacia allowed eight hits and seven runs. Jeff Inglin (2-2, 2r, hbp, w) singled, Jason Stokes (1-3, 2r, 2w, k) singled Inglin to third, then a wild pitch scored Inglin for a 2-1 lead. Willingham followed with his 20th home run, a deep blast to left-centerfield. Ryan Minor (1-5, r, 2b, k) followed with a groundball double past third before Ryan walked. One out later, Jimmy Goelz (2-5, r, 2b, rbi) appeared to hit a three-run homer over the left field wall, however home plate umpire Mike Estabrook signaled the ball off the wall for an RBI-double. Minor, who had just crossed home plate, retraced to third to argue Estabrook's call, along with third base coach Edwin Gonzalez. Manager Ron Hassey came out from the dugout to argue the call, which the Mudcats felt hit the wooded patio raised behind the left field wall instead. After the three umpires conferred, the call stood. Two pitches later, Hassey was warned by Estabrook to stop arguing, which prompted Hassey to sprint out from the dugout a second time and engage in a heated argument with Estabrook. After a few minutes, Hassey returned to the dugout but was not ejected.

 

http://www.gomudcats.com/news/2004/august/040819.asp

 

The Mudcats are at .500 for the first time all season, 0-2 on their current eight-game road trip... Manager Ron Hassey was ejected in the seventh inning after arguing a check-swing call by plate umpire John Woods. Jimmy Goelz was batting with a 1-2 count, when Luis Gonzalez tossed a curveball near Goelz back foot. Goelz lifted his foot while switching the bat into his left hand. Goelz extended his arms outwardly while avoiding the pitch, when Woods, the crew chief, said Goelz swung at the pitch. Hassey, coaching third, argued the call, and was tossed...

 

http://www.gomudcats.com/news/2004/april/040424.asp

 

Hassey guided the Mudcats to a 73-66 record, including over-500 halves in 2004 in what was Hassey's first season of any kind as a minor league manager.

 

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/r...ses/?id=3096729

 

Bio:

Ronald William Hassey...resides in Tucson, AZ with wife Jennifer and children: Brad, Kimberly and Dana...graduated from Tucson High School in 1972...has a degree in Public Administration from the University of Arizona where he was a baseball All-America selection and a member of the Wildcats 1976 National Championship team...also played on the 1974 and 1975 US National Teams and participated in the 1976 Pan Am Games...his father, Bill, was an outfielder in the Yankees organization from 1949-52.

 

Managing/Coaching Career:

Is in his first year as the Mariners bench coach, but his second year as a ML bench coach and his fifth year overall as a big league coach...spent the 2004 season as the manager of the Carolina Mudcats, posting 73-66 mark with the Florida Marlins double-A affiliate...spent the previous seven seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks in a variety of roles, including scouting (2003), Field Coordinator (2001-2002), Roving Catching Instructor (2000) and Special Assistant to the GM (1998-99)...originally joined the Arizona organization to help them prepare for the expansion draft in 1997...spent the 1996 season as bench coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...was a member of the original Rockies coaching staff from 1993-1995...coached third base for Colorado in 1995...began the 1994 season as bench coach before moving to third base following an injury to Don Zimmer...began the 1993 season as first base coach before moving to bench coach at midseason...began his post-playing career in 1992 as an advance scout for the New York Yankees.

 

Playing Career:

Spent 14 seasons in the Majors as a catcher for Cleveland, Chicago (NL), New York (AL), Chicago (AL), Oakland and Montreal...was a career .266 hitter in 1,192 games...is the only catcher in ML history to catch two perfect games: Len Barker, May 5, 1981 with Cleveland (vs. Toronto) and Dennis Martinez, July 28, 1991 with Montreal, vs. Los Angelesmade his Major League debut April 23, 1978 with Cleveland...spent seven seasons with the Indians before being traded to the Cubs in a seven-player deal in 1984 (Hassey, Rick Sutcliffe and George Frazier to the Cubs in exchange for Mel Hall, Joe Carter, Don Schulze and Darryl Banks on June 13)...helped the Cubs to the Eastern Division Title in 1984...spent 1985 with the Yankees and started 1986 with New York before being traded to the White Sox (1986-87)...was a member of the Oakland As in 1988, 1989 and 1990, and made back-to-back trips to the World Series in 1988 and 1989...was scheduled to be behind the plate in Game #3 of the 1989 series but the game was cancelled by the Bay Area Earthquake...retired after playing the 1991 season with Montreal.

 

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...rstaffid=115594

 

10/29/2004 4:44 PM ET

Ron Hassey named Seattle Mariners bench coach

Bryan Price to return as pitching coach in 2005

 

Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Bill Bavasi announced today that Ron Hassey will join manager Mike Hargrove's Major League coaching staff for the 2005 season as bench coach. Bryan Price will return as pitching coach next season. The Mariners have not yet named the rest of the coaching staff for 2005.

 

"Ron is a good baseball man with a lot to offer," Hargrove said. "He worked with Don Baylor in Colorado and Tony LaRussa in St. Louis, and he was a big part of the World Series teams in Oakland. Ron's very creative and will be a good fit here in Seattle."

 

Hassey, 51, spent last season as the manager of the Carolina Mudcats, the double-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins in the Southern League. The Mudcats finished with an overall mark of 73-66 in 2004. Hassey spent the previous seven seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks franchise in a variety of roles. He scouted in 2003, was the minor league field coordinator in 2001 and 2002, was the club's minor league catching coordinator in 2000 and was a special assistant to the General Manager in 1998 and 1999.

 

Hassey was an advance scout for the New York Yankees in 1992 before joining Colorado's original coaching staff in 1993. He spent three seasons with the Rockies before working as the bench coach in 1996 in St. Louis. He joined the Diamondbacks organization in 1997.

 

Hassey spent 14 seasons in the Majors as a catcher for Cleveland, Chicago (NL), New York (AL), Chicago (AL), Oakland and Montreal, hitting .266 in 1,192 games. He is the only catcher in Major League history to catch two perfect games: Len Barker, May 5, 1981 with Cleveland, vs. Toronto and Dennis Martinez on July 28, 1991 with Montreal, vs. Los Angeles.

 

Price, 42, will be in his sixth season as the Mariners ML pitching coach and his 16th season in the Mariners organization. The Mariners pitching staff has ranked among the ML leaders in four of his five seasons as pitching coach, including posting the second-best ERA in the American League in 2003.

 

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...r_sea&fext=.jsp

Very thorough 2003. :thumbup

 

Seems like he'd be a "players' manager." Don't know what else to say about him other than I'm not sure if he'd be my #1. However, I am still as apathetic to this whole process as I was a week ago. I hope this process is over with soon so the rest of the staff can be named and the rest of the off-season can begin...

I'm not proffering him as my #1, or anyone's number one, but some of the stuff I found interesting and illustrative, especially that the Marlins FO was moving him through the organization until the Mariner's came calling.

 

Obviously they like the guy.

 

A couple of other things caught my eye, working with Baylor and LaRussa, going to the WS twice, catching two no-hitters, etc. He's a well-rounded guy with a ton of experience and even if he's a second choice, or even third choice, I don't think he'd be an embarrassment to himself or the team.

 

 

(Gotta love those WhiteSox!)

I think the manager should definitely have his say on who is on the coaching staff. A buddy of mine who is quite close to the situation says that Bill Robinson was a crappy hitting coach, he didn't use video or other technology to help the hitters, relying on "old school" teaching methods. I don't know how true it is, but I think if the manager is going to be held accountable, then he should have the guys he wants coaching.

 

 

That said, if Perry Hill is gone it would be a shame. He's awesome.

Not surprised that Bill Robinson never used video...The hitters never looked prepared sometimes (hence all those Cy Young pitchers the Marlins faced this year...

Not surprised that Bill Robinson never used video...The hitters never looked prepared sometimes (hence all those Cy Young pitchers the Marlins faced this year...