GaryMrMets
10-14-2005, 12:10 AM
Marlins Interview Gonzalez for Manager Job
By STEVEN WINE
.c The Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) - Fredi Gonzalez managed the first game in the history of the Florida Marlins' organization, and 13 years later he's a candidate to manage their big-league team.
Gonzalez, the bench coach for the Atlanta Braves, interviewed Tuesday in New York for the Marlins' job with team owner Jeffrey Loria, general manager Larry Beinfest and assistant general manager Mike Hill.
``It was a getting-to-know process,'' Gonzalez said following a three-hour meeting. ``They're going to interview some more candidates, and they said they hope to have a decision in five to seven days or so.''
Gonzalez, 41, spent 10 years in the Marlins organization and managed the first game in the organization's history with the Erie Sailors of the New York-Penn League in June 1992. Expansion Florida played its first big-league game the following year.
The Marlins also had an interview scheduled Tuesday with Oakland Athletics third-base coach Ron Washington. They're expected to interview New York Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi and Tampa Bay coaches Billy Hatcher and Tom Foley.
Girardi met informally with Loria last week, and he and Gonzalez are considered front-runners for the job.
Gonzalez interviewed last week for the managerial job with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who hired former Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy on Tuesday. Gonzalez was a Marlins coach in 1999-2001 and said he still considers Miami home.
``My parents and my wife's parents live there, and we both grew up there,'' he said.
Girardi, 41, spent 15 years as a major-league catcher but has no managerial experience. He came out of the broadcast booth to join the Yankees' staff this season. Girardi has also been given permission to interview with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Washington, 53, has spent the past nine seasons as the Athletics' third-base coach.
The Marlins face many offseason personnel decisions following a disappointing 83-79 season that ended with the resignation of manager Jack McKeon. Only pitchers Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett and slugger Miguel Cabrera are certain to return.
Gonzalez said team officials told him they're uncertain how much roster turnover there will be.
``They have 12 or 13 free agents, and that's still up in the air,'' Gonzalez said.
10/11/05 23:00 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By STEVEN WINE
.c The Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) - Fredi Gonzalez managed the first game in the history of the Florida Marlins' organization, and 13 years later he's a candidate to manage their big-league team.
Gonzalez, the bench coach for the Atlanta Braves, interviewed Tuesday in New York for the Marlins' job with team owner Jeffrey Loria, general manager Larry Beinfest and assistant general manager Mike Hill.
``It was a getting-to-know process,'' Gonzalez said following a three-hour meeting. ``They're going to interview some more candidates, and they said they hope to have a decision in five to seven days or so.''
Gonzalez, 41, spent 10 years in the Marlins organization and managed the first game in the organization's history with the Erie Sailors of the New York-Penn League in June 1992. Expansion Florida played its first big-league game the following year.
The Marlins also had an interview scheduled Tuesday with Oakland Athletics third-base coach Ron Washington. They're expected to interview New York Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi and Tampa Bay coaches Billy Hatcher and Tom Foley.
Girardi met informally with Loria last week, and he and Gonzalez are considered front-runners for the job.
Gonzalez interviewed last week for the managerial job with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who hired former Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy on Tuesday. Gonzalez was a Marlins coach in 1999-2001 and said he still considers Miami home.
``My parents and my wife's parents live there, and we both grew up there,'' he said.
Girardi, 41, spent 15 years as a major-league catcher but has no managerial experience. He came out of the broadcast booth to join the Yankees' staff this season. Girardi has also been given permission to interview with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Washington, 53, has spent the past nine seasons as the Athletics' third-base coach.
The Marlins face many offseason personnel decisions following a disappointing 83-79 season that ended with the resignation of manager Jack McKeon. Only pitchers Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett and slugger Miguel Cabrera are certain to return.
Gonzalez said team officials told him they're uncertain how much roster turnover there will be.
``They have 12 or 13 free agents, and that's still up in the air,'' Gonzalez said.
10/11/05 23:00 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.