Tossing around a few names as possible new Phillies manager

When Ryne Sandberg abruptly resigned as Phillies manager on Friday, team officials needed someone to skipper the club.

Third base coach Pete Mackanin was asked to do the job through the current homestand. On Tuesday, it was announced that he would remain in the role of interim manager through the end of the season (see story).

“He has the experience,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “We just felt that Pete has the right demeanor and is the right person to do it.”

Mackanin, 63, has been an interim manager for the Pirates, Reds and now Phillies.

“That must be some kind of record,” he joked. “But it’s a good feeling. I’m glad I know my fate until the end of the season."

The organization won’t make a decision on a permanent manager until after the season. By that time, Andy MacPhail will have taken over for Pat Gillick as club president. It’s likely that MacPhail will have made a decision on his general manager — either by retaining Amaro or hiring someone else — before a new manager is hired.

It does not sound as if Mackanin will become the permanent manager.

“I think it’s pretty clear, and Pete knows this, that it doesn’t mean he is a candidate to take the job at the end of the year by any consideration,” Amaro said. “I think we’re going to have a clean slate when we make this decision. He may or may not be a part of that decision-making process. But Pete is being a good soldier and he understands that. He’s taking on this responsibility because it is important for us.”

MacPhail has only been on the job two days so it’s premature to speculate on whom he and his GM will hire as manager, whether they’ll want previous managerial experience, whether they’ll go young and rising because they are a rebuilding team, or whether they’ll swing for the fences and try to land a big name even though they aren’t necessarily ready to win big.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t come up with our own list of potential candidates. Here are a handful of names that might get some consideration:

Ron Gardenhire
He had a successful run with the Minnesota Twins.

Mike Scioscia
Considered one of the best in baseball, he’s won a World Series and been the AL manager of the year with the Angels. He is a Delaware County native, but hasn’t lived in the area in decades. He’s had a strained relationship with Angels’ GM Jerry DiPoto (who reportedly resigned on Wednesday) and can opt out of his contract at the end of the season. But would he want to come to a rebuilding team? And would he walk away from the remaining three years and $18 million on his contract?

Bud Black
The former San Diego manager is highly regarded for his smarts and demeanor. Almost seems like an Andy MacPhail in a baseball uniform.

Raul Ibanez
Keep an eye on this name if the Phils are willing to go with a young, inexperienced skipper to preside over the rebuild on the field. Ibanez has the smarts and is highly respected in the game. He has a tremendous work ethic and always led by example. He loved his time as a player in Philadelphia and still has a lot of admirers in the organization. He was one of three finalists last fall to manage Tampa Bay.

Jim Thome
A beloved former Phillie, hard worker and leader by example. He has stayed in baseball in the White Sox’s front office and has expressed an interest in managing.

Sandy Alomar Jr.
The Phillies almost signed him as a player. He is on the Indians’ coaching staff.

Juan Samuel
He was once an interim manager for MacPhail in Baltimore. He probably would have been a good choice to be interim skipper with the Phillies. It’s possible the Phillies did not go that route because they want to interview him with a clean slate in the offseason.

Tim Bogar
He was an interim manager with the Rangers last season and is now working in the Angels’ front office. His name has been mentioned in Phillies circles in the past.

Eric Wedge
Former Cleveland and Seattle manager might be ready to get back in.

Jorge Velandia
Former major league infielder works in player development for the Phillies and is widely respected in Latin America. He has an outstanding and growing reputation in the organization and the game. He is actually being added to the big-league coaching staff for the rest of the season.

Joe McEwing
A local guy from Bucks County, he played in the majors, has managed as high as Triple A and is currently the White Sox’s third base coach. He was a candidate for the Twins’ job last year.

David Bell
Former Phillies’ third baseman has minor-league managerial experience up to the Triple A level. He is currently bench coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. Bell was always a gentlemanly presence in the Phillies’ clubhouse, but he’s got a lot of fire below the surface and isn’t afraid to show it when needed.

Pat Borders
The 52-year-old former World Series MVP catcher for Pat Gillick’s Toronto Blue Jays is making his pro managerial debut for the Phillies’ minor-league team in Williamsport this summer. He coached high school ball in Florida after his playing career. His interesting resume could be a fit for a rebuilding club.

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