CLEVELAND: Sandy Alomar spent most of the season as bench coach for Indians manager Manny Acta, who was fired last week and replaced on an interim basis by Alomar.
Serving as a bench coach can be the equivalent of attending graduate school for would-be managers. How was it for Alomar?
“You had to be prepared,” he said. “Manny is a very bright person. He would take control of the games and have limited questions. But if he asked you something, you’d better be ready.
“You also had to understand that near the end he was trying to save his life [job], and when you manage like that, it’s a little different.”
Alomar will go through the interview process with team officials today.
TRIBE PROFITS FROM BIDDING WAR — It’s an open secret that WTAM (1100-AM) has retained the rights to broadcast Indians games on radio for another three years.
The Clear Channel Communications station outbid newcomer to the market, WKRK (92.3-FM), a sports-talk station owned by another heavyweight, CBS.
One source with knowledge of the negotiations said that the Tribe will reap more than twice the revenue from the new deal than the old one, thanks to the competition from 92.3.
GOING HAND IN HAND — Alomar thinks that the more Carlos Santana improves his offense, the better his catching will become.
“I still think he has more potential offensively,” Alomar said. “He takes his offense so seriously that when he’s going well at the plate, he’s a better catcher.”
— Sheldon Ocker
