Pointing out that Rev. Wristbands and Felipe Alou were the last minority managers to be hired after previously holding a big league managerial post, the New York Times’ Murray Chass concludes “the job market doesn™t look good for minority managers who have failed to keep their jobs.” But who is looking out for white strength & conditioning coaches named Dale Torborg, huh Murray?
Four first-time minority managers ” Tony Peña, Luis Pujols, Carlos Tosca and Jerry Royster ” who were hired for or during the 2002 season have not been hired a second time.
The first-timers Lloyd McClendon (fired in 2005), Jerry Manuel (2003) and Davey Lopes (2002) have not had a second chance.
Of the 17 blacks and Hispanics who have previously managed, either on a full-time or an interim basis, 10 were not given or have not had a second shot. Of the 25 current white managers, 15 are in their second, third, fourth or fifth jobs.
Frank Robinson is the only black manager who has been hired more than twice. Seven current white managers have been hired more than twice.
œI™m happy to see first-time managers being hired, guys who haven™t managed, Robinson said. œThat™s a good trend; I like that. It gives other people opportunities to show what they can do in that position.
But, Robinson added, the inability of fired minority managers to get another chance is a disturbing trend.
œI had four chances, so they™d say, ˜Look who™s talking,™ he said. œBut yeah, it seems a little strange in that respect that minority managers don™t seem to be held in as high esteem as the white managers who are let go. It™s like they had their shot; see you later.
Robbie wonders why Cito Gaston, a two-time World Series winner, isn’t managing (Chass acknowledges Gaston passed on an interview request from the Dodgers last year). Chass’ overall point is a bit sharper if we can just ignore any inference that Lloyd McClendon didn’t have ample opportunity to show something (anything!) during his tenure in Pittsburgh. If clubs aren’t lining up to talk to McClendon, it probably has more to do with his record with the Pirates than anything else.
Later in the same piece, two-time managerial flop Don Baylor is frustrated that he’s not been offered another gig, yet 3-time big league skipper Art Howe recently accepted not one, but two coaching positions in the space of a month. However ;
Baker said no one had called about a coaching job, but he isn™t looking for one. œIn my mind I™m a manager, he said. œI still believe I™m one of the better ones.”
Cubs fans might beg to differ. And again, Chass’ assertion that minority skippers aren’t getting a second chance is slightly undermined by airing the gripes of a minority manager that did get a second chance, and takes umbrage at Art Howe accepting the same sort of subordinate role he claims he’s uninterested in.
Of course, in the unlikely event Buddy Bell is ever hired to manage a 4th time, Murray’s point is fully made.