The St. Louis Cardinals have been blessed with one of the most experienced, enigmatic managers in the game of baseball over the past 16 seasons.
Tony La Russa departed after leading the Cardinals to their eleventh World Series Championship in franchise history. La Russa hung it up after 33 seasons with three different teams and finished third on the all-time wins list among managers in Major League Baseball history.
To defend their World Series Championship, many felt that the Cardinals needed an experienced presence to fill La Russa's shoes. Many felt that former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona would be the favorite to receive the job.
But according to the St. Louis Cardinals official website, the Cardinals did not go with Francona. In fact, they went with someone who has very little coaching experience at any level.
The Cardinals announced they would hire former catcher and spring training instructor Mike Matheny as the new manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Matheny is a former Gold Glove winner and helped develop current Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina into the defensive force that he is today.
But Matheny has never been a third base coach, let alone a manager, at any level.
Rumors had spread rapidly that general manager John Mozeliak was enamored with Matheny's presence and leadership capabilities. But to think he would beat out the likes of third base coach Jose Oquendo, Philadelphia Phillies minor league manager Ryne Sandberg, and Francona is a bit of a shock.
So the Cardinals have decided to go from a ton of experience in La Russa to very little experience in Matheny.
Things will certainly be different in the locker room in St. Louis. They will have a rookie manager, and if the Miami Marlins have anything to do with it, Albert Pujols will not be there either.
Sources:
Tony La Russa departed after leading the Cardinals to their eleventh World Series Championship in franchise history. La Russa hung it up after 33 seasons with three different teams and finished third on the all-time wins list among managers in Major League Baseball history.
To defend their World Series Championship, many felt that the Cardinals needed an experienced presence to fill La Russa's shoes. Many felt that former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona would be the favorite to receive the job.
But according to the St. Louis Cardinals official website, the Cardinals did not go with Francona. In fact, they went with someone who has very little coaching experience at any level.
The Cardinals announced they would hire former catcher and spring training instructor Mike Matheny as the new manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Matheny is a former Gold Glove winner and helped develop current Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina into the defensive force that he is today.
But Matheny has never been a third base coach, let alone a manager, at any level.
Rumors had spread rapidly that general manager John Mozeliak was enamored with Matheny's presence and leadership capabilities. But to think he would beat out the likes of third base coach Jose Oquendo, Philadelphia Phillies minor league manager Ryne Sandberg, and Francona is a bit of a shock.
So the Cardinals have decided to go from a ton of experience in La Russa to very little experience in Matheny.
Things will certainly be different in the locker room in St. Louis. They will have a rookie manager, and if the Miami Marlins have anything to do with it, Albert Pujols will not be there either.
Sources:
Comments
Post a Comment