Ryne Sandberg wanted to manage the Chicago Cubs four years when Lou Piniella received the job. Sandberg had no managerial experience and agreed to work his way up the ranks in the Cubs system. Sandberg reported to Peoria for the 2007 season. After two years riding the buses in the Midwest League, Sandberg took over the Smokies in 2009 and this season he is calling the shots for the Iowa Cubs.
It is no secret Sandberg wants to take over for Lou Piniella when Piniella’s contract runs out at the end of this year. Sandberg has told multiple media outlets that he would like to manage the Chicago Cubs.
In a recent interview on XM Radio with Jim Bowden, the I-Cubs manager was asked if he would consider managing the Baltimore Orioles. Sandberg is “hoping for a chance with someone” and said he would listen if Andy MacPhail made the phone call. According to a report in the Des Moines Register, Ryne Sandberg said, “The last time I talked to Andy was during the winter meetings, when we were on a committee together. But I’d listen if someone called, for sure.”
“When I got into this, my first goal was to see if I liked it and to see if I was any good at it. Four years into it, it’s been a nice transition, climbing the ladder through the system. That’s how it started, now my whole focus is to get to the big leagues with somebody. I’m gaining experience and doing all this to get to the big leagues. I’m waiting for an opportunity.”
Andy MacPhail is looking to find a permanent replacement for Dave Trembley. MacPhail named Juan Samuel the Orioles interim manager.
Most have assumed that once Lou Piniella’s time was over in Chicago that Sandberg would take over in the Cubs’ dugout. But Ryno wants to be a big league manager and it appears he is willing to go outside of the organization.