Sandberg Still 'Optimistic About The Future'
Ryne Sandberg spoke with Barry Rozner, of the Daily Herald and The Score, shortly after after hearing that Mike Quade would be named the manager of the Cubs.
"It's hard for me to answer questions I haven't thought about,'' Sandberg said. "I was thinking about what I had to do to get the Cubs' job. Now I move on and think about what else might be out there for me.''
Sandberg spent the last four years managing at various levels of the Cubs' minor league system in an effort to replace Lou Piniella once he stepped down. But, now that the Cubs have decided to go with Quade, Sandberg must look to the future.
"I'm optimistic about the future," Sandberg told Rozner. "I was optimistic about the Cubs job. I wasn't thinking, 'What if there's no other job out there for me? What if I don't find a managing job or coaching job?' My mind doesn't work that way.
"I was focused on doing my job well and developing players, and then the last few weeks have been about this job. Now, I move on.''
It is a distinct possibility that Sandberg will have to move on from the Cubs organization. Sandberg could find himself as the manager or a bench coach with a different organization this season. And despite that, he has no regrets after spending so much time in the Cubs' minor league system.
"It's been a great learning experience and very gratifying seeing young players grow up and get better and get to the big leagues. That makes it all worth it,'' Sandberg said. "I'm not sorry about any of it."
