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The Chicago Cubs fired manager Mike Quade on Wednesday, and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein seems to have ruled out a popular name to succeed him in Ryne Sandberg.
"The managerial search process begins immediately," Epstein said. "We are looking for someone with whom and around whom we can build a foundation for sustained success. The next manager must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level."
The last part of that statement seemed to exclude Sandberg, and in fact Epstein did call him to say he wasn't in the running.
"Theo called me 10 minutes after they issued the press release (on Mike Quade) and told me that they have a list of guys and I'm not on it,'' Sandberg said, according to the Daily Herald. "He wished me good luck and said he hoped I got a chance somewhere soon.
"He didn't owe me that at all. He didn't have to do that. It was a classy move and I'm very appreciative of the phone call. In the end, I wished him and everybody there good luck."
Sandberg was a Hall of Fame second baseman for the Cubs who became a highly successful minor league manager in the Cubs organization before managing the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A team last season. But he hadn't coached or managed on the major league level.
Despite being eliminated, Sandberg had no hard feelings.
"Cubs fans should have trust in Theo," he said, according to the Herald. "They're in great hands with him and Jed (Hoyer) and Jason (McLeod),'' Sandberg said. "They're heading in the right direction and they're going to do everything in their power possible to get the Cubs where they ultimately want to be."
Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer met with Quade last week at Wrigley Field and spoke again by phone Tuesday after Hoyer's introductory press conference. Epstein flew to Florida to tell Quade that he would not return.
"When I joined the Cubs last week, I knew that Mike had a reputation as an outstanding baseball guy, as a tireless worker, and as a first-rate human being," Epstein said in a release. "After spending some time with him this past week, it became apparent to me that Mike's reputation is well deserved. His passion, knowledge of the game, commitment, and integrity stood out immediately. While Mike is clearly an asset to any organization and any major league staff, Jed and I believe that the Cubs would benefit long term from bringing in a manager for 2012 who can come in with a clean slate and offer new direction."
Quade had one year and $1 million remaining on a two-year deal he signed last November. The deal carried a club option for 2013.
The Cubs finished 71-91, which was Quade's first full season as a big league manager after taking over for Lou Piniella late in the 2010 season. Quade's overall record is 95-104.
Major league sources told ESPNChicago.com that the Cubs coaches were told no decisions would be made on their status until a new manager is hired. They are free to look for other jobs in the meantime. Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, bullpen coach Lester Strode and bench coach Pat Listach are under contract for next season.
Source: AP
"The managerial search process begins immediately," Epstein said. "We are looking for someone with whom and around whom we can build a foundation for sustained success. The next manager must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level."
The last part of that statement seemed to exclude Sandberg, and in fact Epstein did call him to say he wasn't in the running.
"Theo called me 10 minutes after they issued the press release (on Mike Quade) and told me that they have a list of guys and I'm not on it,'' Sandberg said, according to the Daily Herald. "He wished me good luck and said he hoped I got a chance somewhere soon.
"He didn't owe me that at all. He didn't have to do that. It was a classy move and I'm very appreciative of the phone call. In the end, I wished him and everybody there good luck."
Sandberg was a Hall of Fame second baseman for the Cubs who became a highly successful minor league manager in the Cubs organization before managing the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A team last season. But he hadn't coached or managed on the major league level.
Despite being eliminated, Sandberg had no hard feelings.
"Cubs fans should have trust in Theo," he said, according to the Herald. "They're in great hands with him and Jed (Hoyer) and Jason (McLeod),'' Sandberg said. "They're heading in the right direction and they're going to do everything in their power possible to get the Cubs where they ultimately want to be."
Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer met with Quade last week at Wrigley Field and spoke again by phone Tuesday after Hoyer's introductory press conference. Epstein flew to Florida to tell Quade that he would not return.
"When I joined the Cubs last week, I knew that Mike had a reputation as an outstanding baseball guy, as a tireless worker, and as a first-rate human being," Epstein said in a release. "After spending some time with him this past week, it became apparent to me that Mike's reputation is well deserved. His passion, knowledge of the game, commitment, and integrity stood out immediately. While Mike is clearly an asset to any organization and any major league staff, Jed and I believe that the Cubs would benefit long term from bringing in a manager for 2012 who can come in with a clean slate and offer new direction."
Quade had one year and $1 million remaining on a two-year deal he signed last November. The deal carried a club option for 2013.
The Cubs finished 71-91, which was Quade's first full season as a big league manager after taking over for Lou Piniella late in the 2010 season. Quade's overall record is 95-104.
Major league sources told ESPNChicago.com that the Cubs coaches were told no decisions would be made on their status until a new manager is hired. They are free to look for other jobs in the meantime. Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, bullpen coach Lester Strode and bench coach Pat Listach are under contract for next season.
Source: AP