Ryne Sandberg is being groomed

Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg is certainly being groomed for the big chair. Question is, whether he will get a shot to manage in the major leagues in a Cubs uniform. At first glance timing may appear ideal with Lou Piniella in his final year as manager and Ryno now being assigned to manage AAA Iowa. But not so fast… it remains to be seen what the new ownership group might want to do after what is likely to be a transition year in 2010 – at least in terms of management. I think all bets are off for manager, general manager, and coaches. I would suspect everything is being evaluated by the Ricketts’ and everything is on the table. So it is premature to even consider Sandberg a candidate to succeed Lou, despite his assignment to AAA.

Beginning with his HOF induction speech where he called out the modern ballplayer as selfish and challenged guys to play the game the “right” way, Sandberg’s personality is finally emerging. He has been tossed from many a minor league game for arguing which is a fire he never showed as a player. He led by example, and that’s fine, but it really isn’t prototypical for the personality of a baseball manager.

I’m pulling for Ryno just as I did as a fan. I hope if he gets a shot to manage in the bigs that the shot comes as a Cub. But as Ernie Banks can attest, managing and playing are two different things and being great at one doesn’t mean you will be successful in the other. I just hope when Ryno gets his chance, he does well. How can you root against Ryne Sandberg?

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December 8, 2009 Tags: Ernie Banks, Hall of Fame, Iowa Cubs, Lou Piniella, manager, Ryne Sandberg Posted in: Lou Piniella, Minor League Baseball, Team Ownership, biz of baseball, game of baseball, observations