Padres Give McKeon Some Help : Siegle, Former Phillie Official, Named to Administrative Post

Jack McKeon’s general manager’s office, vacant since he took the Padres to spring training two months ago, has been filled by a man who neither resembles McKeon nor will fill his role of general manager.

Tony Siegle, a former vice president of baseball administration for the Philadelphia Phillies, joined the Padres Friday in the newly created position of vice president of player personnel.

McKeon, however, will still be Trader Jack, continuing to make all trades and minor league recalls even though he has not held the general manager’s title since Jan. 1.

“Jack will still be responsible for the makeup of the major league team,” Padre President Dick Freeman said.

Siegle’s responsibilities will include player development (minor leagues), scouting, major league administration and contract negotiations. Although he worked on many contracts in Philadelphia, this will be the first time Siegle has handled the minor leagues.

“This is a big step for me, definitely a promotion, that’s why I came,” said Siegle, 49, who had been with Philadelphia since 1983. “Jack still has the major job, the final decision on players will be his. When it comes to deals, I’ll just be doing his legwork.”

Siegle will begin working for the Padres around May 1. He said he has to travel to New York to handle a grievance filed against the Phillies by pitcher Doug Bair, who is trying to collect a major league salary for 1987 despite being sent to the minor leagues on a split major-minor league contract that season.

Siegle handled many such problems at Philadelphia where, according to Cincinnati manager and former Phillie Pete Rose. “Tony knew the rules better than anyone,” Rose said.

According to one Philadelphia source, Siegle was a careful behind-the-scenes type, working out contracts and arbitration cases and instructing club officials of waiver and trade rules. Those duties might have qualified Siegle to be general manager, but the Phillies hired two GMs over him while he was there--Woody Woodward in November of 1987 and Lee Thomas in June of 1988.

“I’m getting an opportunity in San Diego that I may not have gotten in Philadelphia,” Siegle said.

He was first contacted by Freeman in the final week of spring training, and closed the deal Thursday during his first interview in San Diego. He was always one of Freeman’s top choices, and not just because of his baseball knowledge. His businessman’s style is similar to Freeman’s, and he comes highly recommended; he is a good friend and former co-worker of Tal Smith, the consultant who conducted the talent search for this job.

“I feel great about Tony,” said Freeman, who conducted all interviews with Siegle without involving owner Joan Kroc or McKeon. “He seems to be the perfect blend of what we are looking for.”

Now, everyone will be watching to see how he blends with McKeon, who had done such a good job of forming and running the Padres that many wondered if another front-office person would be hired.

“He’s a fine young man, he’s well-versed on front-office dealing, I’m looking forward to a fine relationship,” McKeon said. “Dick spelled it out, I’m still in control of the major league club. I’ll still make all the deals. Tony will be there to help me.”

When asked if he knew about Siegle’s knowledge of on-field talent, McKeon said, “He’s got to be familiar with it, but how much, I don’t know. What was his title there, something to do with administration? But I’m sure by the end of the year, he’ll be up to speed.”

For starters, Siegle hopes to visit some of the Padre minor league clubs, the newest of which is in Waterloo, Iowa.

“I’d just as soon not start in Waterloo,” Siegle said. “Did some famous guy end everything in Waterloo? I’ll think I’ll save that for last.”