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Team
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Who is he?
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ESPN.com analysis
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Reds
New manager
Bob Boone
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For the last three years was a special assistant to Reds GM Jim Bowden. Prior to that was the Royals' manager for three years (1995-97), where he compiled a 181-206 record. Played 19 seasons in the majors for the Phillies, Royals and Angels. Caught 2,225 games during his career, second most in major-league history behind Carlton Fisk (2,226). His son Aaron is currently on the Reds' roster while son Bret played for the Padres in 2000.
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Boone started out on a high note with the Royals in his first year as he led the club to a second-place finish. But it was all downhill from there as the club finished in last place the next two years, leading to his firing. One knock against him was his inability to handle the Royals' pitching staff. Another was his perceived tact to overmanage. He was known as a manager that liked to play little ball in a time when hitters are dominating the game.
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Blue Jays
New manager
Buck Martinez
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Has never been a manager on any level, but has been a television analyst for the Blue Jays for the last 14 seasons. He also worked for ESPN as an analyst since 1992. Was a catcher for the Blue Jays from 1981 through 1986 and was a career .225 hitter.
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Though he has never managed before, he is considered a great communicator and because of his long affiliation with the Blue Jays is thought to be a very good fit for this job. Martinez's first job will be to resuscitate a pitching staff that was, for the most part, dreadful in the 2000 season.
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Phillies
New manager
Larry Bowa
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A five-time All-Star shortstop with the Phillies, he is getting his second shot as a big-league manager. His first stint came with the Padres where he posted an 81-127 record in 1987-88. Was Phillies' third-base coach from '88-96 and spent this past season as the third-base coach with the Mariners. |
Bowa is a fiery guy who has fallen out of favor with a number of teams during his career, including the Phillies. How he'll do certainly remains to be seen, but his track record isn't a good one, though Phillies management hopes things will be different this time around. His hard-nosed style is the opposite of former skipper Terry Francona's laidback approach. |
Dodgers
New manager
Jim Tracy
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Has never been a big-league manager, but was the Dodgers' bench coach for the last two seasons under the fired Davey Johnson. Prior to that, worked as the Expos' bench coach for four years under Felipe Alou. Played 87 games with the Cubs in '80-'81.
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Somewhat of a surprise since it was expected the Dodgers would go after a big name, but Tracy is said to have very good people skills and those skills will perhaps have to come in handy with a veteran-laden team that has one of the highest payrolls in all of baseball. Also has seven years of minor-league managing experience.
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Diamondbacks
New manager
Bob Brenly
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Makes the jump from the broadcast booth, where he worked as an analyst on television for the Diamondbacks as well as Fox. Has never managed on any level, but coached with the Giants from '92-'96. In his playing days was a catcher and played nine major-league seasons, mostly with the Giants. |
His laid-back personality is in stark contract to former D-Backs skipper Buck Showalter, who was known for his strict ways. Anything is possible, but it's tough to believe Brenly's style will translate into more victories, especially with the core of the team well over the age of 30. |
Pirates
New manager
Lloyd McClendon
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Was the Pirates' hitting coach for the last four seasons and is getting his first opportunity to manage in the majors. Was an outfielder and catcher during his playing days (1987-94), the last four seasons of which were spent with the Pirates.
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Is considered to be a favorite amongst the players, which should help his transition into the manager's spot. Will need to show a marked improvement with the Pirates since the club is moving into the new PNC Park in 2001 after 31 years at Three Rivers Stadium.
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