Larry Andersen On Ryne Sandberg's Resignation: 'Losing Really Got To Him'
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies' press conference at 3:30 p.m. on Friday was a major mystery. What could the team possibly have to announce just a few hours before they were set to take the field at Citizens Bank Park?
The mystery turned out to be the resignation of Ryne Sandberg as the manager of the team.
Ryne Sandberg has resigned as manager of the Phillies. Pete Mackanin will serve as interim manager.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 26, 2015
As surprising as the announcement was, his reasoning for walking away was not. Sandberg took the questions and emphasized that the losing was weighing on him and was the major factor that pushed him to this decision.
However, was the losing avoidable?
On Friday, Phillies broadcaster Larry Andersen was a guest on Innes and Bruno and discussed the Sandberg's decision right after the press conference. He acknowledge that the losing was drastic and more than likely expected.
"I don't think anyone expected it to be a whole lot different here," Andersen said of the Phillies time under Sandberg. It's fair to ask whether or not Sandberg's decision to quit mid-season will impact his ability to coach anywhere else in the majors.
Andersen expressed that he did not think that would hinder him in getting another managing job and that teams will more than likely understand the card he was dealt when he became the manager of the Phillies.
One of the criticisms of Sandberg during his time in Philadelphia was based on communication. It is well known that Sandberg has an introverted personality and is not a 'get in your face,' type of motivator.
"He communicates differently than players are used to," Andersen said of Sandberg. Clearly Sandberg did not have the jovial personality that Charlie Manuel had and was very far away from having a lot of fire in his approach.
"I think the losing really got to him," Andersen explained. The Phillies were 119-159 in Sandberg's parts of three seasons with the team.
Pete Mackanin, who was serving as the third base coach for the Phillies, will now take over as interim manager.