There is a strong chance that Chicago Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry will be meeting face to face with the next Cubs manager over the next couple of days. As according to ESPN Chicago Hendry will be in Arizona the next two days conducting a formal interview with top candidate Ryne Sandberg for the Chicago Cubs managerial opening.
From the recent sound of things, it would seem that Sandberg is high up their along with interim manager Mike Quade, and current Yankees manager Joe Girardi. After four successful seasons managing in the Chicago Cubs farm system, Sandberg has finally emerged onto the scen as a leading candidate to become the next Cubs manager. While Girardi has more experience, Sandberg’s top competition may come from Mike Quade. Who has impressed the Cubs management with a 17-7 run since taking over for Lou Piniella. Some may actually suggest that Quade is the leading candidate after this hot streak by the Cubs. But again, a team should not put all their stock in a manager after they were able to win in a meaningless September.
Considering that their is not too much publicity on the Cubs farm teams, it is hard to gauge what type of manager Sandberg is. He must have a good relationship with players, specifically young ones since he has had a winning season in all four of his years. Also from the sounds of it, it appears that he may have a lot of fire built up inside him. As he has gotten ejected in his fair share of games during his time as manager in the Cubs minor league system.
According to the report, Hendry also plans to conduct formal interviews with Washington third base coach Pat Listach, Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly, and former Mariners and Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin. Hendry has already completed the interview process with former Indians manager Eric Wedge.