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Easler, Sandt, Jewett also on Pirates' managerial list Wednesday, October 11, 2000 By Paul Meyer, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
ST. LOUIS -- Recently fired Buck Showalter and former Pirate Mike Easler are among five candidates who interviewed for the Pirates' managerial job, a position that could be filled within 10 days.
Showalter, fired by Arizona with two years left on his contract, met with Pirates Owner Kevin McClatchy and General Manager Cam Bonifay Saturday in New York.
Why interview Showalter, who was reportedly disliked by his veteran players because they felt he was too regimented?
"Why not him?" Bonifay said last night. "But I have no comments on [people the Pirates are interviewing]."
Showalter has one huge plus for the Pirates. The Diamondbacks owe him two years of salary. That means the Pirates, who would only have to pay a small portion of his $1 million annual stipend, could get him cheaply.
No matter, said Pirates first baseman Kevin Young, who flew back to his home near Phoenix on the same flight as Showalter last weekend.
"Why did the Diamondbacks fire him?" said Young, who, like some other Pirates, openly backs Lloyd McClendon for the managerial job. "They had an $80 million payroll in Arizona [and didn't win this season]. We had about a $40 million payroll. What's he going to bring to the table?
"You know how I feel about bringing in a new manager [from outside the Pirates' organization]. They're going to make their decision on how they want their team to be run, and you're just interviewing people to get an idea. There's nothing wrong with that. But then you have to wonder, 'Why'd he get fired?' "
Yesterday, McClatchy and Bonifay interviewed Trent Jewett and Tommy Sandt, the Pirates' third and first base coaches, during the last half of this past season.
Last Friday, they interviewed Easler in his hotel room in Atlanta, where the St. Louis Cardinals enjoyed a day off before finishing off the Braves in a National League Division Series the next day.
"A great meeting," said Easler, 49, who is the Cardinals' hitting instructor. "It was beautiful. They handled it exquisitely. They were perfect gentlemen. I'm honored. They called, and I said, 'I'll be there.' "
The outgoing Easler played for the Pirates in the late 1970s and early '80s.
"It needs to be a family again," he said of the Pirates' situation. "I'm the one who can bring excitement back there. I learned from one of the best -- Willie Stargell -- about being a family. I told them, 'What you're seeking is seeking you also.' "
It's not known who the fifth candidate is. But a rumor surfaced yesterday that it could be Hal McRae, the former Philadelphia hitting instructor who was a roving minor-league instructor in the Pirates' system in the mid-1990s.
"I'm not going to comment on any of this," Bonifay said.
He did concede that the Pirates have another interview scheduled today.
"I have interviews [scheduled] the rest of the week. But I'm not going to say when or where or to what degree."
One of those interviews will be with McClendon, who was the Pirates' hitting instructor the past four seasons. He will be interviewed Friday night in Phoenix, where he is managing in the Arizona Fall League. The Phillies have asked for permission to talk to McClendon about their managerial job, but no interview has been scheduled.
Bonifay said yesterday he's considering interviewing former Phillies Manager Terry Francona.
"I have not made a determination as yet," he said.
How about former Los Angeles Manager Davey Johnson?
"I don't think I'll address that issue," Bonifay said.
Bonifay also said he hadn't yet talked with Oakland bench coach Ken Macha or San Francisco bench coach Ron Wotus about interviews. Macha, a Murrysville resident, and Wotus, whose family is from Westmoreland County, are interested in the Pirates' job.
The Pirates have received permission from Oakland to interview Macha. Presumably, they have -- or will have -- permission to interview Wotus if they desire.
Willie Randolph, another former Pirate and the third base coach with the New York Yankees, also is considered a candidate, but Bonifay said yesterday, "I'm not sure yet" if the Pirates will interview him.
Bonifay has told candidates the Pirates would like to name Gene Lamont's successor before the end of the World Series, which is scheduled to end Oct. 29 if it goes seven games without a rainout.
Could the process be finished in, say, 10 days?
"It's possible," Bonifay said. "My intent all along was to do this as quickly and as efficiently as possible."
Someone wondered yesterday if the Pirates already have narrowed down their search to as a few as three people. Or maybe even one.
"I haven't made any determination about any candidates at this point," Bonifay said. "It's a very fluid situation."
Bonifay also said he still believes something could be done quickly about signing catcher Jason Kendall to a long-term contract extension.
"I still feel that way," he said. "I just think we can get it done. Hopefully, sooner than later."
Kendall rejected a six-year, $60-million offer in July that included about 40 percent of the money being deferred.
Have the Pirates guaranteed more of the money? No, Bonifay said. Have they given Kendall a new offer? No, he said. Has he talked recently with Kendall's agent, Dan Lozano? No, Bonifay said.
So?
"It's just a personal feeling," he said.
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