Ron Roenicke Reportedly Hired As Brewers Manager

In an offseason in which different reports have claimed that the Brewers hired Bob Brenly and that the Brewers reached an agreement with Bobby Valentine, you have every right to be skeptical of a report claiming that the Brewers have hired Ron Roenicke. But this one seems a bit more reliable than the last two:

Earlier Tuesday, we learned that candidate Tim Wallach was no longer under consideration for the vacant Brewers job. That left Roenicke, Valentine, Bob Melvin, and Joey Cora as the presumed remaining finalists, and it would appear that Roenicke won out. It’s possible that the Brewers preferred Valentine, but salary demands got in the way, as Valentine was known to be seeking a significant contract.

Anyway, the 54 year old Roenicke is, naturally, a big league veteran, having played for six teams between 1981-1988. The utility outfielder made a name for himself later on as a coach. He spent two years on the Dodgers’ coaching staff, and then began his managerial career in the minors in 1994. He continued climbing the ladder and wound up managing in AAA before joining the Angels as Mike Scioscia’s third base coach in 2000. In 2006, he was promoted to bench coach to replace the departed Joe Maddon.

He has remained in that position until now, when it appears he’s off to Milwaukee to become a full-time Major League manager. If he’s able to have the kind of impact with the Brewers that Scioscia’s had with the Angels, that Bud Black’s had with the Padres, and that Maddon’s had with the Rays, then the team should be thrilled with this hire.