Former Cub Ryne Sandberg Gets Phillies Manager Job

Aug 30, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies interim manager

(third from right) and Chicago Cubs bench coach

(far right) get the ground rules from the umpires (L-R) Jim Reynolds (77),

(61), Quin Wolcott (81), and umpire James Hoye (92) before the game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Ryne Sandberg will be announced as the 52nd manager in Philadelphia Phillies’ history today at a 11:30 a.m. news conference at Citizens Bank Park, MLB.com’s Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki reports.

Sandberg replaced Charlie Manuel on an interim basis on Aug. 16, but was not given the title of manager until today. Under Sandberg’s reign the Phillies are 17-16 with a .500 record against National League East Division opponents, including a three-game sweep against the NL East division leading Atlanta Sept. 6-8.

Sandberg went 1-3 against his former club, the Cubs having only won the first game 6-5 of a three-game weekend set on Aug. 30.

"“Ryno is positive,” Phillies second baseman Chase Utley said Wednesday. “He’s always talking during the game. He’s definitely into the game, and guys respect him for that. He’s given a lot of guys an opportunity to play, which is nice. So far he’s done a great job.”"

Sandberg began his managerial career at Cubs’ minor league system in 2007 at Class-A Peoria Chiefs. In 2008, Sandberg was promoted to Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the next year to Triple-A Iowa Cubs where he earned Manager of the Year honors for a 82-62 record.

Following the removal of manager Lou Piniella, Sandberg looked to move to the Cubs but Mike Quade instead filled the interim manger role. The following season, Sandberg left the Cubs organization to manager the Phillies’ Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and once again was named Manager of the Year. After the 2012 season, Sandberg was promoted to third base coach for the Phillies.

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