This is the time of year when manager jobs open and the baseball landscape is flooded with names of potential candidates.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel hears the names that are floated as managerial prospects and wonders why Rich Dubees name is not mentioned.
He should be considered for some of these jobs, Manuel said recently. I see that kind of skill in him. Hes a real good baseball man. Why shouldnt his name be out there?
Dubee has been Phillies pitching coach for all seven of Manuels seasons as manager. He presided over the staff with the best ERA (3.02) in the majors in 2011.
Dubee is my man, Manuel said. I lean on him. He totally handles our pitching. He breaks down all our reports. He organizes all of our spring training. Hes tremendously important in what this team and this organization have accomplished. Hes my all-everything guy. I throw a whole lot at him about everything that goes on in the game.
Pitching coaches have often been pigeonholed as just that. Only a handful has gone on to manage in the majors in recent years. San Diegos Bud Black and Torontos John Farrell are both former pitching coaches.
Pitching coaches can definitely be good managers, Manuel said.
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Dubee was recently asked if he aspired to manage.
I cant say I dont sometimes, but I love what Im doing here with the Phillies, he said. Would I consider it? Of course, who wouldnt?
The Red Sox are looking for a manager and the Cubs could be once they hire a general manager. Phillies Triple A manager Ryne Sandberg is likely to get a look for the Cubs job, if it opens. Bench coach Pete Mackanin has been mentioned as a candidate for the Red Sox job. Mark Parent, the Phillies Double-A manager in 2011, is leaving the organization to become the White Sox bench coach. Clearly, there are some attractive people in the Phillies system. Manuel points out that Dubee is one of them, as well.
Dubees contract is up, but he, and the rest of the Phillies coaching staff, has been invited back for 2012.
I want him to get whats coming to him, Manuel said. Hes one of the best pitching coaches in the game.
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