Diamondbacks Hire Bob Brenly as Manager
P H O E N I X, Oct. 30 -- Bob Brenly, a broadcaster and former major leaguecatcher, has been hired as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, ateam source said today, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Diamondbacks scheduled an afternoon news conference to make the announcement.
Brenly, a television analyst for the Diamondbacks and the Foxnetwork, replaces Buck Showalter, who was fired the day after theseason ended. The Diamondbacks interviewed seven candidates, then narrowed the list to Brenly and former Philadelphia Philliesmanager Terry Francona.
'Player-Friendly'
Owner Jerry Colangelo interviewed Brenly and Francona last week during the World Series in New York.
At the time Showalter was fired, Colangelo said he wanted aplayer-friendly manager whose personality would match the veteran makeup of the team. At that news conference, Colangelo identified Brenly as one who might fit the criteria.
Brenly caught for nine major league seasons, mostly with the SanFrancisco Giants, and appeared in one All-Star game. He teamed with Thom Brennaman on Diamondbacks telecasts during the franchise’sfirst three years.
Brenly, 46, spent a year in broadcasting in Chicago afterretiring as a player, then was a coach for four seasons with theGiants before returning to broadcasting.
He will have far less authority than Showalter, who had a say inmost aspects of the franchise, including personnel decisions.
In 1999, Showalter managed the team to 100 victories and the NLWest title in just its second season after the Diamondbacksinvested greatly in free agents, including Randy Johnson.
But this year, the team faded to an 88-77 record and athird-place finish in the division, despite the midseasonacquisition of Curt Schilling to bolster the pitching staff.
Arizona Needs a Win
With a roster full of aging players, including Matt Williams,Jay Bell and Steve Finley, Arizona is under pressure to win in ahurry.
Showalter’s strict, no-nonsense approach wore thin with the veterans, and Colangelo decided a personality change was needed at the top.
Related Stories
ABC News Live