Hatcher up first; two added to list

© St. Petersburg Times
published October 10, 2002

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Rays kicked off their search for a new manager Wednesday amid several developments.

Billy Hatcher was the first to interview, meeting with general manager Chuck LaMar for five hours in St. Petersburg. Triple-A manager Bill Evers and Oakland bench coach Ken Macha were officially added to the list of candidates. Detroit ended its search by hiring Alan Trammell. And Lou Piniella's availability remains a subject of speculation.

Hatcher, the only member of the major-league staff for all the Rays' five seasons, said the talk went well after the initial awkwardness of interviewing with his boss of the past seven years.

"Everything went pretty well," Hatcher said from his St. Petersburg home. "There's a lot of things you don't think about until you're in there, and then it comes naturally. It went okay."

Evers, 48, has been with the Rays since October 1995, managing five seasons at Durham and winning division titles in 1998-2000 and this year's International League championship.

An Eckerd graduate, Evers played four seasons in the minors, then began a minor-league coaching career that has lasted 23 years, managing over 2,000 games. He interviews Tuesday.

"It's going to be a great opportunity," he said. "It's something I've worked hard for and I hope they feel I'm the right guy for the job."

Macha, 52, is considered by many baseball officials to be one of the most promising managerial prospects around. A fringe major-leaguer during a 14-season pro career, he has been a coach with Montreal, California and Oakland and spent four seasons managing in Boston's minor-league system.

Oakland manager Art Howe praised Macha for his energy level, knowledge of the game, winning background and communication skills. "I think he'd be a perfect fit," Howe said.

Macha interviews with the Cubs on Friday, the Mets on Tuesday, the Brewers Oct. 17 and the Rays Oct. 18.

Trammell may have been a candidate for the Tampa Bay job, but his hiring by the Tigers could be a good thing for the Rays. The Tigers and Rays had interest in several of the same candidates, including Macha. Now there is one less team in the competition.

Piniella is signed to manage the Mariners next season, but there has been speculation he would like to work closer to his Tampa home, where his elderly parents, children and grandchildren live.

The Mariners have said repeatedly they "expect" Piniella to fulfill his contract to manage in 2003, and general manager Pat Gillick's decision Wednesday to return for another season may lead to a resolution soon.

Gillick said if the Rays, or any team, sought to talk with Piniella "our CEO and president would deny permission."

But what if Piniella asked to be allowed to leave? "I think they'd have the same position," Gillick said, adding he didn't think a departure could be negotiated.

"He's under contract to us and we want him back," Gillick said. "Lou is a valuable asset to the organization."

Interviews continue today with Rays third-base coach Tom Foley. Yankees first-base coach Lee Mazzilli interviews Friday and third-base coach Willie Randolph on Monday. Randolph interviews with the Brewers today.