CLEVELAND: If Sandy Alomar was hiring a manager to lead the Indians, it would be Terry Francona.
Maybe that’s not quite accurate. Alomar and Francona are the two known (and possibly) only serious candidates for the position. Obviously, Alomar wants it, but he recognizes that Francona is a man whose list of managerial accomplishments is difficult to beat.
“I don’t have the resume that Terry has,” Alomar said Tuesday. “Maybe when I was a player but not as a manager. To me, it’s a slam dunk. Anybody would want Terry. Who wouldn’t want a guy like that? He’s the perfect guy to have.
“He been a winner and he’s a good communicator and a good guy, and I don’t feel like anybody owes me anything.”
Alomar always has been a little too self-effacing for his own good. As the Tribe’s All-Star catcher in the 1990s, then-General Manager John Hart told Alomar if he didn’t mind waiting to reap the big, long-term deal, the GM would take care of him.
Not wanting to impose his ego on the situation, Alomar agreed and never did get his money.
Nevertheless, there’s no question that Francona’s achievements as manager of the Red Sox were impressive. He brought them their first two World Series championships in almost 100 years and dealt with the tough New England media and a zealous fan base. His overall record in Boston was an enviable 744-552 (57.4 percent).
But Francona’s four-year stint as skipper of the Phillies was no bed of roses. In another city that’s tough to please, he posted a .440 winning percentage and was accused of being too soft on the players.
Alomar has neither the baggage nor the trophies that Francona carries around, because he has not been a manager.
“This is a business, not about who’s the most popular guy,” he said, referring to his stature in Northeast Ohio. “And it’s a decision for the Cleveland Indians to make, for the Dolans [owners Paul and Larry Dolan], whether it’s me or Terry. That’s the way I feel.”
Regardless of Alomar’s near-endorsement of Francona, he is confident he can do the job.
“I believe I’m ready,” Alomar said.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SheldonOckerABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
