Sandberg's Smokies Introduction

By Neil on February 8, 2009 3 Vote 0 Votes

In the midst of the flurry of moves made by the big league club following the 24th Annual Cubs Convention, Ryne Sandberg was introduced as the new manager of the Tennessee Smokies at Smokies Park in Sevierville, Tennessee on January 20th.

The Hall of Famer was issued his familiar number 23 and spoke with the local press at a luncheon at the Double Play Café. Sandberg "outlined his thoughts on coming to East Tennessee and his expectations of his first year at Smokies Park" according to the official release from the team.

Ryne Sandberg will be the first Hall of Famer to manage the Tennessee Smokies and during his press conference he spoke of "the importance of Double-A ball in the minor league system."

Here's video from the luncheon and an interview following his introduction.

JimK

It says here....and elsewhere: Ryno has paid some dues as a beginning coach/manager, and this AA shot is a big opportunity for him. Mr. Obvious says I hope he does very well. Three years ago while sitting near the Cubs dugout at a spring training game, I was the first to notice that Ryno was walking out to coach first base in a middle inning. I hollered, "Welcome back Ryno!" and he turned and waved from about 40 feet away. Thirty or 40 people around my wife and me stood and gave him applause. He waved again, and almost seemed embarrassed to be recognized.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has several observations today--including a wild one about the Cubs. He claims the Cubs are lined up with the White Sox and the Dodgers to sign Orlando Hudson for 2nd base. He says the Ricketts' purchase of the Cubs is a prerequisite. Maybe Cafardo thinks the 31 year-old switch hitting Hudson would do a 1 or 2 year deal at $4 mil or so (down from his $6.2 mil last year).

I don't see the deal happening. Orlando, as a type A, offered arbitration, FA costs a first round draft choice. At .305-8-41 in 407 AB's last year, he's like Roberts without the SB's--although apparently less expensive. If one can imagine getting Hudson, one can also envision it happening where the Pads get something approaching his salary equivilant (Fontenot and Gaudin) +, +, and the Rickett's family explodes on the scene with Peavy too. That has to be too wild--although I'm still thinking JH has a (lesser) move or two left.

Cafardo interviewed Chris Hill--who said JH treated him very well with the trade to the O's where he can try to rebound. Hill said that, contrary to reports, he got along well with Lou, and that the fault was Hill's own for being unable to pitch well. Hill further said that his lower back issues are gone, and that he expects his control to return.

Another Cafardo observation that would have been unthinkabe a month or two ago: Bobby Abreu may have to sign for $3 mil or so for a one or two year deal. The Dodgers, Angels and Braves are reportedly interested. In somebody else's news item it's said that the Giants have offered Aurelia a minor league deal for $1 mil plus incentives.

Cubs Faithful, "The times they are a changin"--as a social commetator once sang. Maybe we can sign Aurelia for a similar deal. That and a Jays trade that include Vizcaino and gets us LRP Scott Downs would float my boat.

Geoff

What is "young youthful talent"?

Barry

Wow! Great to see Ryno again in a Baseball uniform!! I like what he had to say and would love to see Ryno come up after Lou! I think he would be accepted immediately (of course) and he would be a bit more patient with rookies.

Not that I agree with some of you that Lou isn't but I just think that Lou's lack of patience mixed in with a CUBS mandate to "win now" is just a bad recipe for young youthful talent.

GO CUBBIES!!