Now that Tony La Russa has called it a career after 33 big league seasons, the St. Louis Cardinals are looking for a manager for the first time since 1995.
Considering the Cardinals just won their 11th World Series title in franchise history and have one of the most loyal fan base’s in baseball, you would think the list of candidates to replace La Russa is lengthy.
But sources say the club will look at a pool of “less than 10″ people, some of which are currently within the organization.
Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he will begin a 10-day process on Thursday interviewing candidates for the club’s managerial position.
Six candidates have been identified, including former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona and longtime Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo.
Francona and Oquendo are considered to be the frontrunners for the job, but some believe that Mozeliak could shorten the process considerably if Francona wants to manage the Cardinals.
On Wednesday, St. Louis received permission from the Philadelphia Phillies to interview Ryne Sandberg.
The former Chicago Cubs second baseman is easily the most interesting choice to be interviewed given his ties to the Cardinals chief rival.
Mozeliak will also interview Chris Maloney, manager of the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate Memphis Redbirds. Maloney led the Redbirds to the Pacific Coast League championship in 2009 and a division title the following year.
Cardinals’ minor-league instructor and former big league catcher Mike Matheny is scheduled to speak with Mozeliak, as is Chicago White Sox coach and former Cardinals’ infielder Joe McEwing.
Other candidates that could be interviewed include former Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, Atlanta Braves first base coach and former Cardinals infielder Terry Pendleton and current Cardinals bench coach Joe Pettini.
Mozeliak made it clear that the search for a new manager would not extend beyond Thanksgiving. The Cardinals hope to name the club’s next manager before the general managers’ meeting in Milwaukee on November 14.
