Report: White Sox Consi
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Headlines of October 21, 2015 “GM Hahn working to find new bench coach” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Report: White Sox considering ex-Cubs manager Rick Renteria for bench coach” … CSN “Truth about Harry Caray: It was show business” … Josh Peter, USA Today Sports GM Hahn working to find new bench coach By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | October 20th, 2015 CHICAGO -- General manager Rick Hahn didn't present a specific timetable when asked during a 2015 season-ending media session about replacing Mark Parent as White Sox bench coach. "It takes as long as it takes to get the right guy," said Hahn, adding that they had put together a list of people of interest at season's end. "There could well be some turnover elsewhere that opens up some names that aren't on our list at this time." A source confirmed to MLB.com that former managers Manny Acta and Rick Renteria, as well as Raul Ibanez, are names on that list of potential bench coach candidates. The White Sox also talked to Sandy Alomar Jr., the Indians' first-base coach and highly respected former catcher over three different stints on the South Side. But a second source confirmed that Alomar Jr. is not a candidate for the vacancy. This hiring process could take a little longer than expected with bench coach possibilities also potentially being connected with managerial openings in Seattle, San Diego, Washington and/or Florida. Another possibility is moving Joe McEwing, the team's third-base coach, into the bench coach role and bringing in someone to take McEwing's spot. McEwing has been part of manager Robin Ventura's staff since its start in 2012 and interviewed for the managerial openings in Arizona, Texas and Minnesota last offseason. Hahn was looking for an experienced candidate to fill the bench coach opening, one who didn't necessarily need prior managerial experience, but "that would be a positive," the general manager stated. He also mentioned the plus of being bilingual in the search for this replacement. "It's not a necessity, but it's going to be a positive," Hahn said during that same season-ending interview. "Given the nature of not just our clubhouse but the way the game continues to grow over in that area, it's certainly a positive for any staff member to be bilingual." The White Sox also need to replace Harold Baines at assistant hitting coach, with Baines choosing to move into more of an ambassador's role within the organization. He will still work with hitters during Spring Training and when the team is home. Report: White Sox considering ex-Cubs manager Rick Renteria for bench coach CSN Staff | October 20, 2015 A familiar face could be returning to Chicago this offseason but this time to the South Side. According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, the White Sox are considering former Cubs manager Rick Renteria for their vacant bench coach position. The Sox decided not to renew the contract of Mark Parent during the final days of the season. Renteria was relieved of his managerial duties on the North Side last offseason when current Cubs manager Joe Maddon became available thanks to an opt-out clause in his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Renteria, 53, managed the Cubs for one season (73-89) and previously served as the San Diego Padres' bench coach. The White Sox reportedly also have Manny Acta and Raul Ibanez on their list of candidates. Truth about Harry Caray: It was show business Josh Peter, USA Today Sports | October 20, 2015 CHICAGO — Harry Caray had a cheat sheet — and yet he still mispronounced the names of Chicago Cubs players. So says Steve Stone, who for 14 seasons served as the color commentator alongside Caray, the legendary Cubs’ play-by- play announcer. With the Cubs chasing their first World Series title since 1908, Stone talked about the widespread notion that his fellow broadcaster was as error-prone as the once-forlorn Cubs. Trying to help out, Stone said he took Caray’s score book and phonetically spelled out names of Cubs players such as catcher Hector Villanueva. And then in the first inning of Villanueva’s debut, Stone said, he watched Caray pronounce the catcher’s name seven different ways — none properly. “He knew if he stumbled over the names, it was funny,’’ Stone told USA TODAY Sports. “Everybody would say, ‘Well, that’s just Harry.' And they would tune in to see which name he was going to mangle next." It was Stone who had the college degree — in history and government from Kent State — but Caray who provided the “local broadcast” education. ’’When God decided there should be a baseball broadcaster, he created Vin Scully,’’ Stone said, referring to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Hall of Fame announcer. “But the greatest salesman of the game of baseball, the city of Chicago, Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs and himself — not necessarily in that order — was Harry Caray. “One of the things Harry taught me was how to talk to the fans on a daily basis where they believed you were absolutely one of them." Stone, who now does color commentating for the Chicago White Sox, said one of his favorite Harry Caray stories is one Harry Caray liked to tell about himself. It was 1968, and Caray was the play-by-play announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals when he was hit by a car. Up until the day of the season opener, the team had left it unclear to fans about whether Caray would be ready to call the team’s first game. On the day of the opener, after the players were announced, the PA announcer called out the name of one more more — Harry Caray. Out of the dugout, he hobbled on two crutches toward a microphone. Suddenly, to the crowd’s delight, Caray threw one crutch to the side and kept hobbling. Then, eliciting a roar from the crowd, he tossed aside the other crutch, grabbed the mic and announced it was time to play ball. Said Stone, “As Harry puts the mic down, (pitcher) Bob Gibson comes over to him and says, ‘What’s with the crutches?’ And Harry looked at him and said, ‘It’s show business, Gibby. It’s show business, Gibby.’ ” “Harry knew it was showbiz. He knew from the beginning." .