References Available Upon Request

One thing I'm not used to following is the Red Sox manager search. With the exceptions of Joe Kerrigan and Joe Morgan, both promoted from within, and ex-player Butch Hobson, I'd never heard of any of their managers until they were hired.

Now I'm wondering if that is the organizational pattern. According to various sources, Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont is the next candidate, to be followed by Torey Lovullo (pictured), currently first base coach of the Blue Jays. Lamont is 65, Lovullo a spry 46.

Yes, THE Gene Lamont and THE Torey Lovullo.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are looking at Ryne Sandberg. Hmmm, I say. Hmm.

If this is a deliberate strategy by the Sox, I like it. I think the mood of the town (and not just this year) calls for a lunchbucket manager. Come to think of it, the Sox have not had a glamour manager in my lifetime, unless you count Butch Hobson -- and under Butch, the Sox never exceeded .500, so maybe we shouldn't.