PHILADELPHIA — Nowhere are the differences between the Rays and Phillies more evident than in the men who lead them.
Rays manager Joe Maddon is more Zen than spittoon. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel will trust his gut before a statistical report. The point was driven home before Monday’s Game 5 of the World Series. The first question asked of Maddon was whether he listened to the Rolling Stones in the pregame. “Start Me Up” was his track of choice. Manuel, meanwhile, regaled the gallery with an unintentional stand-up routine as he described the influence the late Billy Martin had on him as a manager.
“When I think of him, I think of some of the funniest things in the world,” said Manuel as part of the longest answer to show up on a World Series transcript. “We used to fight him, boxed and stuff like that. He was the little guy, but he was fast and quick. We used to hit him with some good blows. I really enjoyed him.”
Maddon has brought wit, culture and the unconventional to the Fall Classic. Manuel is a little more country, the old reliable pickup. His players love him because of his intense loyalty and patience. He has their back, commands their respect. It’s something he learned in his slapstick moments with Martin, most notably a night Manuel got picked off at second base as a pinch-runner with the Twins.
“I went running back to the dugout, and there’s a gate out there in right field, and if I could have gotten over it I would have,” Manuel said. “Martin was standing there screaming, nothing come out, just the veins in his neck — aaggh! I sat down, and I will never forget this. He said, ‘Don’t worry about it. It’s my fault for putting you in the game.’ ”
Free Willie.
The likelihood of Willie Randolph interviewing for the Rockies’ bench coach position increased Monday. It appears he’s not likely to land the manager’s job with the Milwaukee Brewers. Randolph, not interested in sitting out much longer after getting fired by the Mets at midseason, is expected to talk with manager Clint Hurdle next week. Erstwhile Dodgers and Pirates manager Jim Tracy interviewed for the spot last week, and Triple-A manager Tom Runnells will interview Nov. 7.
Former hitting instructor Alan Cockrell has spoken with the Reds and Braves, among others, about minor- league coaching positions.
Footnotes.
The Rockies will have 15 days after the World Series to negotiate exclusively with their own free agents, Brian Fuentes, Scott Podsednik and Glendon Rusch. Fuentes is a longshot to return given the money he’ll likely command on the open market — around three years, $38 million. The Rockies have had preliminary talks with Rusch and have interest in retaining Podsednik, given their desire to shop Willy Taveras this winter.
