Ryne Sandberg On Second Half Of Phillies' Season
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Chris Stigall spoke with Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT about his All-Star break and the team's philosophy heading into the second half.
Sandberg said he enjoyed relaxing for a few days down the shore in Cape May, but baseball was always on his mind.
"It was a good getaway as far as a mental break, as far as getting away, but also hard not to have the wheels turning on scenarios or possibilities for the second part of the season. As you know, a lot of Phillies fans down there, a lot of "hellos" and shaking of hands and "good luck in the second half," things like that. It was hard to get completely away from baseball," he said.
Sandberg also addressed the possibility that the team might trade Chase Utley in advance of next week's trade deadline, saying the team will take many factors into account before making a final decision.
"Those decisions are made organizationally. There are certain players you want to keep and have them be your mainstay guys and set the tone for the organization. In a lot of ways, Chase would fall into that category, as far as being productive and being under contract and being a guy you want to represent your organization going forward…I'd rather be in the other end of things, being at the top of the division and talking about adding. It's not the best scenario being in this situation, but it what it is," Sandberg commented.
Sandberg said he has a healthy working relationship with General Manager Ruben Amaro and appreciates the freedom he has to make the best decisions for the team.
"What I've found to be, even in the minor leagues under Ruben, and now this year, he likes to hire the best people, and he likes the baseball people to do their job. He likes to share his thoughts and ideas along the way, but he basically lets the baseball people do their jobs," he concluded.