Lance Allan: Sports Glance with Lance
Ron Roenicke: If You Don't Know Anything About Him, Here's Something
The Brewers Next Manager Revealed
It's amazing...if you gave an average Brewers fan the names of the 4 reported candidates, Ron Roenicke might finish in 4th, or last, every time.
The important thing...he's the Brewers first choice. The first choice of those that know baseball. And maybe, the right choice. Just because you don't hire a "name" or a guy with "sizzle" doesn't mean it's a bad hire. And with several Brewers and baseball sources raving about this guy, it seems like they are convinced this guy will succeed at Miller Park.
One baseball insider told me flat out..."if you're in the game, this was an easy decision."
Another baseball source said he told the Brewers that when you interview Roenicke, "You'll either hire him, or fall in love with him. He will impress you."
The man nicknamed "Rags," I'm told, is one of the smartest baseball men in the game. And a very strong Christian who believes in honest, straight talk with his players. Joe Maddon and Torii Hunter both called on his behalf, and raved about the Angels bench coach. Matt Wise, who pitched for the Brewers and the Angels when Roenicke was there, said "he (Roenicke) never got the credit he deserved, because Mike Scioscia and Joe Maddon were there."
And for those that think he's an American League Manager? Wrong! As a minor league manager, he loved to run. And if you watch the Angels, they run, and routinely go from first to third and take the extra base. As Corey Hart told me, "We won't be afraid to run. Under Ken, we were scared to do that."
Hart also said he hopes Roenicke takes control of the clubhouse right away, because in his words, "I hope he gets respect early on and gets guys to listen. That was always a challenge when Ken was in there because early on, he was so laid back that it was hard for him to round us up." Ouch.
While Dale Sveum and bullpen catcher Marcus Hanel will return...Hart dropped another nugget. He says first base coach Ed Sedar took a minor league job with the Astros, to make sure he had a job...but guys are lobbying to have him come back to the majors, with the Brewers.
The same can't be said for pitching coach Rick Peterson, whose job definitely seems to be in jeopardy.
When I asked Bobby Valentine in an e-mail if he'd like to talk about the process now, he simply said "he could but he'd rather not. I wish them the best." Sounds like a man who's hurt that he didn't get the chance.
Emails at lallan@todaystmj4.com
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.