(DeMarlo Hale seen here during a Red Sox-Rays brawl back in 2008. Does Hale get a chance to interview for Davey Johnson's job? Picture by Boston Wolverine.)
So the job of managing the Washington Nationals belongs to Davey Johnson for 2012. If he wants it. Most likely he does. Why wouldn't he? Heck, he flat out said he wanted the job at the end of September. And Mike Rizzo basically said the job is Davey's: "We feel pretty confident that Davey is in place."
But, according to MLB rules, the Nats are required to interview other candidates; and at least one minority candidate. So the Nats are conducting interviews. DeMarlo Hale, a fixture on Terry Francona's coaching staff for years in Boston -- who probably doesn't stand a chance at the Boston job due to his proximity to Francona -- could be on the short list of candiates for Davey Johnson's job.
From Nick Cafardo's Notes in Sunday's Boston Globe:
DeMarlo Hale, Red Sox bench coach - He has a year remaining on his contract, and when the dust settles on personnel decisions, he will meet with new GM Ben Cherington to determine his fate. Hale hopes to interview for the Sox managerial job. He also could be a candidate in Chicago, his hometown, under Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. The Washington job is likely out, with Davey Johnson expected to return, but there may be an interview process, and Hale will likely be a candidate given the strong backing he’ll receive from Nationals special adviser Bob Schaefer.
Hale probably has a a worse chance of landing the job in Washington than he does landing the Boston job. We'll go out on a limb and say DeMarlo Hale won't be managing in Washington in 2012, but he'll probably get an interview.
But why haven't the Nats announced Davey yet? He's the guy for the job, and he wants the job, right?
OF COURSE Davey is the man. Nats are just waiting for the World Series to be over.
Posted by: Jim R. | October 23, 2011 at 10:47 PM
yes, Jim R. is correct.
Posted by: Thomas | October 24, 2011 at 11:29 AM