Bill Russell One of Four Finalists for Job as Manager of White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are expected to fill the major leagues’ last managerial vacancy this week, and Bill Russell of the Dodgers has emerged as one of the four finalists.

The others: Rene Lachemann, Oakland Athletic coach and former Seattle and Milwaukee manager; Larry Bowa, Philadelphia Phillie coach and former San Diego manager, and Gene Lamont, Pittsburgh Pirate coach.

Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ executive vice president, said Monday that he did not know the status of the White Sox search, only that he had given Chicago General Manager Ron Schueler permission to talk with Russell, who had earlier agreed to manage the Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate at Albuquerque, N.M., a possible steppingstone to eventually replacing Tom Lasorda as the Dodgers’ manager.

Russell, who played youth baseball against Schueler in Kansas, refused to discuss the White Sox situation Monday.

In another development involving the Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs’ new general manager, Larry Himes, said he would like to sign free-agent pitcher Mike Morgan.

“Morgan is a guy we’re very interested in,” Himes said. “He’s shown me he’s healthy and that he gets his innings in. He would be a great stabilizer for our staff.”