MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred yesterday during World Series Media Day in K.C. said that the league continues to monitor the marked industry decline in minority hiring for field managers and minorities and women in front-office positions. The league is working with leadership search firm Korn Ferry to help develop minority and female candidates, but MLB could enter the ’16 season with no black managers for the first time since ’87. "We have had a year where our numbers are down in terms of the diversity that have had in some of our key positions," Manfred said. "I think it’s incumbent upon us to come up with additional programs and ways to make sure that our numbers look better over the long haul" (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer). USA TODAY's Lacques & Ortiz note at a time in which the player population "consists of roughly 40% foreign-born, African-American or Latino players," just one current manager, the Braves' Fredi Gonzalez, is a "person of color." Manfred yesterday said, "We are focused on the need to promote diversity. Not just African Americans, but Latinos in the managerial ranks" (USA TODAY, 10/27). Manfred this morning said there needs to be "significant minority representation at entry-level jobs" across MLB and MiLB, as that "helps us build a pipeline of qualified diversity candidates -- male, female, African-American, Latino -- who are available to interview for top jobs." Manfred: "The goal is to get them a job, so we are going to try and expand our program over the offseason. I think the clubs are committed to this, and I think you will see progress on this issue over the long haul" (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 10/27).
JUST PART OF THE PROCESS? Baseball HOFer Frank Robinson, who in '75 became the first black manager in MLB, said that he is "concerned" about the dwindling number, but noted that owners "can't be forced to hire managers based on race." Robinson: "You have to have enough qualified people to present to them. There are qualified people out there. But they have to get the opportunity." Former Rangers manager Ron Washington, who resigned in '14 after four consecutive 90-win seasons and two AL pennants in eight years, said, "We could have more [minorities] managing right now, but it's a process. One thing you have to make certain when you go into an interview is to convince a GM and owner that you can guide them in the right direction. For African-Americans, it's always been about paying your dues and when they pay their dues, the opportunity will be there" (AP, 10/27). However, in N.Y., Michael Powell writes this "is an industry sliding backward, its emergency brake not engaged." There were 10 "black or Latino managers" as recently as '09, compared to just one right now. It is "salutary that baseball’s front offices are throwing open doors to young men with excellent degrees," and a change of the demographic guard "can be refreshing." However, based on their hiring record, the new guard "is deeply inclined toward hiring people who look quite a bit like the faces they see in the mirror each morning" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/27).
NEW-BOY NETWORK: In Seattle, Stefanie Loh notes former MLBer Scott Servais yesterday was introduced by the Mariners for his "first stint as a manager." But Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto said that he "was not deterred by Servais’ lack of experience, citing the fact that about one-third of current big leagues managers got their jobs with no experience" (SEATTLE TIMES, 10/27). FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal noted the hiring of Servais "continues a trend of former players becoming managers with little or no previous experience." Rosenthal: "Welcome to the new-boy network, in which the best way to become a GM is to present your fancy degree to an owner, and the best way to become a manager is to enjoy a close relationship with the GM." Rosenthal noted he does not "mean to disparage" Servais or new Phillies GM Matt Klentak, whose résumé "actually is quite sufficient for his new position." However, it is a pattern that "should trouble baseball," as it is "disrespectful for teams to overlook the value of experience when considering prospective managers" (FOXSPORTS.com, 10/25).
