Reds announce four candidates for manager


November 18, 2003
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Cincinnati Reds hope to hire a new manager next week, selecting from four candidates announced Tuesday by general manager Dan O'Brien.

Dave Miley, who finished the season as the interim replacement for former manager Bob Boone, is one of the finalists for the job, O'Brien said in a conference call. The others are Jerry Manuel, fired by the Chicago White Sox after last season; Brian Graham, director of player development the last two years for Pittsburgh; and John McLaren, who has spent the last 12 seasons as a coach on the major league staffs of Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella.

O'Brien said the Reds focused on several major criteria in narrowing down a long list of candidates.

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He said the first requirement was considerable experience as a manager, either in the majors, minors or winter ball.

``We also wanted individuals who had major league coaching experience in some form or fashion, and then we were also looking for individuals who had in their background expertise in teaching and player instruction,'' O'Brien said.

He said the fourth requirement will come out in the course of the interviews.

``We are looking for individuals who not only understand but appreciate the vision we have for the Cincinnati Reds going forward,'' O'Brien said.

The general manager said he has talked briefly to all four candidates, but no interviews have been conducted yet. He said the process would begin Wednesday.

O'Brien would not say if there was a leading candidate among the four.

Miley, 41, went 22-35 as the Reds' interim manager in 2003. He spent the last 24 seasons in the Reds organization as a player, coach or manager.

Manuel, 49, led Chicago to the AL Central title in 2000, finished second four times and third once.

Graham, 43, spent 2001 as the Florida Marlins' minor league field coordinator and director of instruction.

McLaren, 52, is Tampa Bay's bench coach. He has been in professional baseball for 34 years, including 18 a major league coach.

I'd go with Manuel.

I agree.