Next up: Dodgers to interview Bob Geren for manager’s opening

If you thought it was getting difficult to keep track of everyone the Dodgers are interviewing to be their next manager, hang tight. They might be doing their Al Jolson routine and you ain’t seen nothing yet.

To the growing list of candidates you can now add the Mets bench coach and former A’s manager Bob Geren.

Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson told reporters at a news conference in New York on Wednesday that the Mets had granted the Dodgers permission to speak to Geren for their managerial opening. Then he momentarily fainted and fell to the ground, scaring all, but awakened quickly, apparently no worse for the wear, and walked off without assistance.

Geren spent four-plus seasons managing the A’s (334-376) at the same time that current Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi was with Oakland. He’s been the Mets’ bench coach for the past four seasons.

And for fans who could never get past ex-Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly being a Yankee, yep, Geren was a catcher with the boys in pinstripes.

So now you can add Geren to the growing list of those interviewed -- or expected to interview -- to be the next Dodgers manager: Gabe Kapler, Dave Roberts, Tim Wallach, Ron Roenicke, Dave Martinez, Darin Erstad and Bud Black.

But, hey, it’s only Wednesday. Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said he hoped to have a new manager in place by baseball’s winter meetings and that’s over a month away.

No need to rush; it is something of a significant hire. The only other manager Friedman has ever hired was Joe Maddon, and that worked out rather well.