The Major League Baseball season is starting to wind down as the ALCS and NLCS matchups start to take shape. While the World Series is being showcased in front of fans around the world, teams not preoccupied with postseason play are behind the scenes making tough decisions to put themselves in championship contention or just taking the necessary next steps. Usually, the first decision for the bottom-feeding teams is what to do with the manager situation.
There’s not a year where MLB managers get dismissed after spending time on the hot seat. Sometimes really good managers who come up short of lofty expectations get the pink slip. The most recent manager who is facing the possibility of termination, despite huge success is Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts. Roberts is fresh off being upset in the NLDS by the San Diego Padres, following a franchise-record 111 wins. Even though Roberts made history by passing Jim Leyland in postseason wins with 45, the unexpected loss raised questions as to whether he would return next year.
According to The Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers expect to retain Roberts through next season even though the team has not officially spoken publicly on the matter. The MLBbro manager had signed a three-year extension through 2025 on the strength of a 653-381 regular season record, six NL West Division titles, three National League pennants and a World Series title.
But there are six other managers who already have been fired.
The list includes Joe Maddon (Los Angeles Angels, replaced by Phil Nevin) and Joe Girardi (Philadelphia Phillies, Rob Thompson signed to two-year deal day before NLDS). Other openings are still up for grabs; Charlie Montoyo (Toronto Blue Jays), Mike Matheny (Kansas City Royals), Don Mattingly (Miami Marlins) and Chris Woodward (Texas Rangers).
The Rangers named MLBbro, Tony Beasley as the interim manager for the rest of the season, but there are no reports on his status for next season.
Also, with Tony LaRussa being forced to leave the Chicago White Sox for medical reasons, there is a litany of opportunities for potential MLBbro managers next season. The aforementioned Dave Roberts and Houston Astros manager, Dusty Baker have been success stories with Baker still chasing championship gold this season.
But here are three MLBbro OGs who deserve a chance in one of these teams’ dugouts next year.
Bo Porter
A special shout-out goes to MLBbro.com’s Managing Editor, J.R. Gamble for this candidate. He might be one of the best talent developers in major League Baseball who no one knows about. After finishing his career as a player, he served as a special assistant to the Atlanta Braves GM as well as working as the third base, outfield and base running coach. He also managed the Houston Astros through a rebuild and cultivated and developed many of the young stars that have become the cornerstone the Astros’ consistent success the past half decade.
Porter’s insight, baseball intelligence and ability to implement analytics into a deep understanding of the human element of the game and his reputation as a talent-developer and team constructor, makes Porter a great candidate for any talented club looking to elevate to the next level.
Struggling teams that are looking for a manager need one with an eye for talent. That Bo Porter has. Speaking of that coaching talent, Porter is currently MLB’s Director of Coaching, and he ran the Major League Baseball Players Association free agent camp during spring training back in 2018.
He also works directly with MLB’s diversity programs, which have produced the likes of Hunter Green and Michael Harris II, among other future stars. In addition, he recently opened the Bo Porter Academy, a school geared towards producing great, healthy young men and baseball players.
Ron Washington
The six degrees of separation definitely fits here as Ron Washington was the one who replaced Bo Porter as the third base coach for the Atlanta Braves. He is one of the leaders on the bench, who helped the Braves win the 2021 World Series. His experience and influence is one of the main reasons that Michael Harris II is the odds-on favorite for NL Rookie of the Year and his infield instruction with his players is legendary.
If there is an MLBbro managerial candidate who deserves a shot at a position next year, it’s Washington. He has a wealth of World Series experience, having led the Texas Rangers to back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011.
All the teams listed are in need of a manager who can develop talent for the future. This MLBbro great is perfect for the job.
Willie Randolph
People remember Willie Randolph as the long-time second baseman of the New York Yankees who played for numerous teams throughout the late 70s to the early 90s.
But our MLBbro icon was also the manager for the crosstown rival, New York Mets back in 2005. The next season he led the Mets to the NL East Division title and a seven-game marathon with the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS before finally falling. Randolph holds the distinction of being the first manager in MLB history to improve his team’s record by at least 12 games in his first two seasons. Which makes it strange that he has not been offered a job since he was fired in New York in 2008. It’s been 14 years since Willie Randolph was named the 18th manager in Mets history. Randolph certainly has the goods, and he’s proved he can perform under the immense pressure of the NY City lights, on the field or from the bench.
With MLB wanting more Black and brown players in baseball, the game has to give more opportunities to MLBbro managers who can cultivate and develop that talent. These candidates are more than qualified and deserve a shot.
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