bd811
09-23-2002, 04:31 PM
The Ron Schueler era with the White Sox ended Sunday when the former general manager resigned five weeks before his two-year contract as senior vice president and special consultant to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf expired.
Though he's leaving on good terms, Schueler is disappointed with the slide in team chemistry since the White Sox won the American League Central title in 2000.
"Things don't seem the same in the clubhouse,'' Schueler said. "I don't see that confidence in the players' eyes anymore, that chemistry. I felt we had things in place two years ago to make a big run for it, but it hasn't materialized.''
Schueler had turned the GM title over to Ken Williams after the 2000 season. The plan was for the front-office veteran to scout as part of his two-year consulting commitment.
But Schueler said he felt left out of the loop.
"It's time to go,'' he said. "They weren't using me [for scouting] except for Jerry Reinsdorf having me check out our Triple-A [Charlotte] club.
"I wouldn't give up the experience of working for Jerry Reinsdorf for anything in the world. Our original agreement was to be general manager five years, but we kept expanding it until we got to 10. He talked me into staying one more year after the 1999 season because we felt we were ready to win.''
Schueler, 54, says he would like to run a team again.
"I missed it,'' he said. "There's a lot of stress in the job, a lot of time that has to be devoted to it. But it gets in your blood.''
The Boston Red Sox have the most prominent opening for a general manager. When the job gets filled, it could create a landslide of changes throughout baseball.
Reinsdorf is supporting Schueler's decision.
"I've spoken to a lot of clubs that are anticipating general-manager changes to remind them to keep Schu in mind,'' Reinsdorf said. "We had an excellent 10 years under Ron. He's highly capable of running any club.
"It was Tony La Russa who first alerted me to him, saying Ron was an excellent judge of talent and character. He proved that with us over and over. He has been invaluable to me and, I might add, invaluable to the development of Ken Williams as a general manager.
"Ron stepping aside now is not really a surprise. He already had intended to leave. It's very hard to step down [as GM], but there always are changes when new people take over. Kenny relied more on his own people, and that's all right. Ron knows that. We'll always have a good relationship.''
Williams said he appreciated Schueler's assistance, particularly when Williams was farm director.
"Absolutely, Schu helped me,'' Williams said. "We worked closely together then while showing me a great amount of what goes into scouting, and then again in the offseason as general manager. He was right in the middle of preparation for the '02 season.''
Schueler outlined his concerns to Reinsdorf after deciding to move up his departure date before the end of October. He stressed the importance of background checks on players under consideration to be acquired who either have character flaws or have seen better days.
He excluded pitcher Todd Ritchie, who was acquired by Williams last winter from the Pirates in the controversial deal that sent Kip Wells, Josh Fogg and Sean Lowe to Pittsburgh.
"I was behind that trade,'' Schueler said, "although I didn't feel it was necessary for us to give them the kid [Fogg]. We felt we could straighten out Todd's mechanics, but it didn't happen. I still think he can be a good pitcher.''
Reinsdorf will consider Schueler's concerns and those of others in the offseason.
"I never make decisions without giving them a great deal of thought,'' Reinsdorf said. "I'm an open procrastinator that way. Everything will be evaluated after the season, as always.''
Dan Evans, who is vying for the National League wild card as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, was Schueler's top assistant before Williams' appointment. Evans resigned immediately after Williams' promotion.
"I can't say enough about Ron Schueler,'' Evans said. "I look back on my time with him and realize he gave me the tools I needed to be a general manager, and for that I'll forever be grateful.''
The Sox were 817-734 in Schueler's 10 years as GM, finishing in first or second in eight of the 10 seasons. They won divisional titles in 1993 and 2000. Schueler also pitched for the Sox in 1978-1979, and was pitching coach for manager Don Kessinger in 1979-1981.
Though he's leaving on good terms, Schueler is disappointed with the slide in team chemistry since the White Sox won the American League Central title in 2000.
"Things don't seem the same in the clubhouse,'' Schueler said. "I don't see that confidence in the players' eyes anymore, that chemistry. I felt we had things in place two years ago to make a big run for it, but it hasn't materialized.''
Schueler had turned the GM title over to Ken Williams after the 2000 season. The plan was for the front-office veteran to scout as part of his two-year consulting commitment.
But Schueler said he felt left out of the loop.
"It's time to go,'' he said. "They weren't using me [for scouting] except for Jerry Reinsdorf having me check out our Triple-A [Charlotte] club.
"I wouldn't give up the experience of working for Jerry Reinsdorf for anything in the world. Our original agreement was to be general manager five years, but we kept expanding it until we got to 10. He talked me into staying one more year after the 1999 season because we felt we were ready to win.''
Schueler, 54, says he would like to run a team again.
"I missed it,'' he said. "There's a lot of stress in the job, a lot of time that has to be devoted to it. But it gets in your blood.''
The Boston Red Sox have the most prominent opening for a general manager. When the job gets filled, it could create a landslide of changes throughout baseball.
Reinsdorf is supporting Schueler's decision.
"I've spoken to a lot of clubs that are anticipating general-manager changes to remind them to keep Schu in mind,'' Reinsdorf said. "We had an excellent 10 years under Ron. He's highly capable of running any club.
"It was Tony La Russa who first alerted me to him, saying Ron was an excellent judge of talent and character. He proved that with us over and over. He has been invaluable to me and, I might add, invaluable to the development of Ken Williams as a general manager.
"Ron stepping aside now is not really a surprise. He already had intended to leave. It's very hard to step down [as GM], but there always are changes when new people take over. Kenny relied more on his own people, and that's all right. Ron knows that. We'll always have a good relationship.''
Williams said he appreciated Schueler's assistance, particularly when Williams was farm director.
"Absolutely, Schu helped me,'' Williams said. "We worked closely together then while showing me a great amount of what goes into scouting, and then again in the offseason as general manager. He was right in the middle of preparation for the '02 season.''
Schueler outlined his concerns to Reinsdorf after deciding to move up his departure date before the end of October. He stressed the importance of background checks on players under consideration to be acquired who either have character flaws or have seen better days.
He excluded pitcher Todd Ritchie, who was acquired by Williams last winter from the Pirates in the controversial deal that sent Kip Wells, Josh Fogg and Sean Lowe to Pittsburgh.
"I was behind that trade,'' Schueler said, "although I didn't feel it was necessary for us to give them the kid [Fogg]. We felt we could straighten out Todd's mechanics, but it didn't happen. I still think he can be a good pitcher.''
Reinsdorf will consider Schueler's concerns and those of others in the offseason.
"I never make decisions without giving them a great deal of thought,'' Reinsdorf said. "I'm an open procrastinator that way. Everything will be evaluated after the season, as always.''
Dan Evans, who is vying for the National League wild card as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, was Schueler's top assistant before Williams' appointment. Evans resigned immediately after Williams' promotion.
"I can't say enough about Ron Schueler,'' Evans said. "I look back on my time with him and realize he gave me the tools I needed to be a general manager, and for that I'll forever be grateful.''
The Sox were 817-734 in Schueler's 10 years as GM, finishing in first or second in eight of the 10 seasons. They won divisional titles in 1993 and 2000. Schueler also pitched for the Sox in 1978-1979, and was pitching coach for manager Don Kessinger in 1979-1981.