House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Managerial Candidates

By Alan Carpenter

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire (35) and second baseman Brian Dozier (2) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Minnesota won 12-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire (35) and second baseman Brian Dozier (2) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Minnesota won 12-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bud Black

  • Harry Ralston “Bud” Black
  • AGE:   59 on June 30
  • BORN:  San Mateo, California
  • MAJOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE:  Pitcher, 1981 to 1995 (Mariners, Royals, Giants, Indians).  121-116, 3.84 ERA, 296 starts, 11 saves.
    • Has connections to both John Schuerholz (Royals) and John Hart (Indians), though both would have been responsible for both acquiring and releasing Black from their respective teams while GM.
    • Was member of the starting rotation of the Royals when they won the World Series in 1985
    • Was member of the 1995 Indians club that fell to the Atlanta Braves in the World Series, though was released on July 9 of that year.
  • MANAGERIAL EXPERIENCE:  Hired for Padres job Nov 2006, following Bruce Bochy.
    • Manager of Year in 2010, despite team blowing 6+ game lead in NL West (10 game losing streak).
    • Fired June 15, 2015.  Record: 1,362 games (8+ seasons); 649-713 (.477).
    • Pitching Coach for Anaheim (2000-2006).  Team won World Series in 2002.

Bud Black was set to be hired by Washington for their managerial job this past off-season, except they opted to play him off with Dusty Baker, and Baker took the low-ball salary offer they made while Black refused.  He’s now a Special Assistant with the Angels.

PROS:  Most major league experience of all known candidates.

CONS:  Only one real year of success, but no titles or playoff experience.  Poor record could easily be written off to the San Diego personnel he had available.  Of note, Bruce Bochy was Padres manager from 1995-2006, netting 5 winning years and four division titles.  He also took them to the World Series in 1998 (before that team’s payroll was slashed).

Black would most likely be an end-of-year hire after an interim manager completes the season.  He would undoubtedly want to bring in his own people to fill out the staff, which essentially would make this hire the most invasive and disruptive of all known options.  But if ‘disruptive’ is what you want, then Black would certainly change the culture… for good or bad.

My own expectation is that if/when Fredi Gonzalez is removed, that coaches Roger McDowell and Carlos Tosca will be removed as well.  Whether Kevin Seitzer goes or not is an interesting call, but he could escape the axe.  The fates of Bo Porter, Terry Pendleton, and Eddie Perez would likewise be a coin flip under this scenario.

Next: Home Grown Latin Flavor

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