5 Potential Former Phillies That Could Become Next Manager
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- It's Wednesday, a couple of days before the start of the July 4th holiday weekend. Let's have some fun, shall we?
With Ryne Sandberg recently resigning as Phillies manager, the franchise (who will go with interim manager Pete Mackanin for the rest of this season) is expected to eventually hire a replacement.
And who's more fun than a former player? They're young, hungry, and haven't failed elsewhere.
Here are five potential former Phillies that could, kind of, maybe, become the next manager.
5. Chase Utley
While Utley isn't a former player (yet), let's be proactive here. Maybe as a player manager for 2016? Don't leave us Chase!
4. Pat Burrell
The most fun and ridiculous choice, but think about it. Think about it.
3. David Bell
Bell, 42, is currently the bench coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and was formerly the manager for the Triple-A Louisville Bats and the former Double-A Carolina Mudcats in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
Bell comes from a baseball family and is learning from the Cardinals. And they're (despite a small hacking thing) a pretty successful organization.
2. Jim Thome
Thome, 44, was beloved while in Philly. He joined the Chicago White Sox organization in 2013 as a special assistant to the manager and expressed interest in one day becoming a manager. And we know how Charlie Manuel, a senior advisor (or whatever he is now) for the Phillies, feels about his former slugger.
1. Raul Ibanez
Raauuuuuuuuulllllllll.
I'm not just throwing things at the wall. Ibanez, 43, another beloved Phillie, was a finalist to manage the Tampa Bay Rays last year.