Good stuff from Metsmerized who I hope will forgive the long excerpt…. definitely worth a read!
Sandberg is as intense as Wally Backman and more experienced, but comes without any of the risk or baggage. He is intelligent, confident and understands the fundamentals of the game like Bobby Valentine, but doesn’t have the desire to be the main attraction and center of attention.
You want someone who can emphasize playing solid defense to Wright, Bay and Reyes? Sandberg has nine gold gloves to back him up…
You want someone who can teach this team the importance of fundamentals on the basepaths and the art of stealing bases? Sandberg has 344 career stolen bases to back him up…
You want someone who can get some of our players to elevate their game and performance level? Sandberg has 10 All Star selections to back him up…
i like it! having managed at double and triple a, sandberg has dealt with a dynamic that i think most people underestimate when they think about appointing a manager: dealing with stars. at double and triple a, you’re much more likely to have to manage an up-and-coming, blue chip prospects’ personality as opposed to making sure cory vaughn gives you all he has in brooklyn; absolutely a bigger challenge. it’s an important aspect of the job once you get to the major league level and you’re dealing with multi-million dollar stars, and it gives sandberg legitimacy in a major league clubhouse where, i believe, wally could be lacking. consider me very, very intrigued at this idea.