• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Cincinnati Reds Name Dave Miley Manager

Posted on: Thursday, 4 December 2003, 06:00 CST

Dave Miley's 24 years of loyalty to the Cincinnati Reds were rewarded Thursday with the chance to keep managing. The Reds gave Miley a one-year contract with a one-year club option, dropping the interim label from his title.

Miley, 41, took over when the Reds fired Bob Boone last July and guided the clubhouse through a tough time. Payroll-saving trades slashed stars from the roster, and injuries decimated what was left.

After an extended deliberation, the Reds decided to let Miley keep the job. Three other candidates also were interviewed two weeks ago, but Miley's history with the organization stood out.

"To be in the same organization as long as I have and to get this opportunity is really beyond words," Miley said.

Former Chicago White Sox manager Jerry Manuel, Pittsburgh Pirates director of player development Brian Graham and Tampa Bay Devil Rays bench coach John McLaren also were interviewed.

The delay in choosing a manager became a major topic among Reds fans, who figured Miley had the inside track. He was called in Thursday - one day before the team's annual fan festival - to meet owner Carl Lindner and receive the contract offer.

The club called a news conference for 9 p.m. EST - a late hour for such an announcement. Miley didn't mind, joking about the delay as he put on the home jersey he wore for the last two months of the season.

"It could have been at midnight and I'd be standing here," he said.

The Reds are the last major league team to fill a managing vacancy. The Boston Red Sox introduced Terry Francona as their manager earlier Thursday.

Boone got a two-year contract with an option for the third when he replaced Jack McKeon following the 2000 season. Miley got only a one-year deal with an option because new general manager Dan O'Brien wants to get to know him better before making a longer commitment.

"While we felt that Dave was the right person for the job, we felt we needed a period for both he and I to get better acquainted, and that was really the basis for going more on a short-term than a long-term focus," O'Brien said. "But I think Dave understands that we made this decision because we want him to be manager of the Cincinnati Reds for a long time."

Miley will try to put together the pieces of a team that lost 93 games in its first season in Great American Ball Park.

Disappointed by their first-half fade, the Reds fired general manager Jim Bowden and Boone on July 28, bringing Miley in to finish the season. Bowden's assistants then were ordered to trade stars for money and pitching prospects. O'Brien was hired on Oct. 27.

The Reds are expected to slash their payroll, which was $57 million on opening day, as they rebuild around young pitchers acquired in the trades. They also have to try to win back fans angered by the change in course midway through their first season at the taxpayer-financed ballpark.

Miley, who has spent 24 years in the organization as a player, coach and minor league manager, led the club to a 22-35 record last season. He got high marks from players for guiding the clubhouse through a difficult period.

The former catcher grew up in Tampa, Fla., where the Reds used to hold spring training, and signed with the Reds in 1980. He played in seven minor league season before deciding to coach.

Miley finally made it to the majors in 1993 as the bench coach for Tony Perez, who was fired by Bowden only 44 games into the season.

Miley went back to the minors after that season. He impressed the front office by winning at the Triple-A level and remaining committed to the franchise. One year, he told the team to pay him whatever it thought he deserved to stay on as a minor league manager.

Miley's minor league teams won 1,115 games and lost 841.

More News in this Category