Let me be perfectly honest: none of us know what kind of manager Brad Ausmus is and what he will be capable of at the helm in Detroit. And that’s exactly the problem.
After former manager Jim Leyland’s decision to step down, general manager Dave Dombrowski expressed his preference for a candidate with managerial experience. “Is it most likely the person has managerial experience to some extent? Yes. Is it a for sure? I don’t know that at this point” (The Detroit News, October 2013).
In retrospect, it would seem that Dombrowski misspoke, as of the three candidates interviewed, only one, Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon, has prior major league managerial experience. What’s even more stunning is that Ausmus has no coaching experience in the majors or the minors. And let’s not forget the last time Dombrowski hired a manager with no managerial experience (Alan Trammell) the team compiled a .386 win percentage, and posted the worst season record in the history of Major League Baseball.
As a team that has been knocking on the door of a championship for the past three years, it would only make sense that the Tigers conduct an exhaustive search for a new manager, rather than making a quick decision after just four interviews. As the best team with an open managerial spot, the Tigers could afford to take their time and find the right successor to Leyland.
Naturally, the fans and the organization were not going to be wowed with a huge name. Terry Francona was signed by the Indians at the beginning of last offseason, Ron Gardenhire signed an extension with the Minnesota Twins just weeks before Leyland stepped down, and Kirk Gibson declined to even be considered for the job.
Even though the top candidates for the job were all unavailable, the Tigers still had an option outside of the organization with managerial experience: former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
The Tigers bear an uncanny resemblance to the Phillies team which Manuel led to the 2008 World Series title. Both teams feature top heavy power hitters, a large payroll of veterans, and an outstanding starting rotation. The conditions in which Manuel left his former team were less than adversarial. As Phillies second-baseman Chase Utley was on record as saying “We let down not only him, we let down the organization, we let down the fans” (ESPN, August 2013).
For as woeful as the Phillies on-field performance has been compared to expectations the past two seasons, little of that had to do with Manuel. The financial irresponsibility and subpar personnel decisions of general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. are largely to blame.
In Manuel, the Tigers could have had a manager which is capable of commanding the respect of his players, as well as a winning pedigree. Instead, they have a rookie major league coach and manager who is barely five years older than their right-fielder.
Ausmus may have been a decent hire for a club who is looking for a manager who can learn on the fly as they rebuild their talent base and bring along a young core. But not for a team with a World Series window that is rapidly beginning to close.
In short, what has Charlie Manuel won? A World Series title. What has Brad Ausmus won? Nothing.
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