9-News: 38.003 – Manager Hunt Heats Up

[RonCo]

YS9 GM Ron Collins has been uncharacteristic in his tight-lipped approach to this off-season, especially when it comes to the vacant managerial seat that the team suddenly finds itself with. The team was clearly unhappy with Bret Richard’s hands-off approach last year, a disaster of a tilt that saw the team win only 80 games and miss the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. Richards subsequently found a landing place in Huntsville.

The club has been quiet since that time, with no team officials discussing any aspect of the search except to note that “it will be exhaustive.”

Have you seen all the damned page opening you have to do to look at managers and coaches? Geez, Louise. “Exhaustive” is the nicest term for it!

Some voices in the organization are beginning to crack, however, with some suggesting Mexico City’s Mark Bruner as a possible candidate. Others suggest Edmonton’s Mark Larkin might fit the bill better. Of course, both of those candidates are elder-statesmen, Bruner is 63, and Larkin 65…which leads a third camp to be in Rene Ribbe’s favor, touting the fact that Ribbe’s background includes a diverse set of teams (including having a basis in the YS9 organization). Ribbe is only 51. RIbbe fans also like his blustery personality, feeling that it would bring a fresh air to the team that the Nine have been lacking. They also point to his approach to the game—that he likes to get his fingers dirty.

Collins continues to be tight-lipped except to say that he expects a decision soon. “We’re turning over all the rocks,” he said. “All I can say to the fans of our ball club is that we’ll find someone who fits us, and that we’ve got a great team. I expect we’ll be back in the fray again in 2038.”