Cleveland Promotes Manuel to Manager

As a hitting instructor, Charlie Manuel helped the Cleveland Indians score more runs than any other team in the last half-century. Now the club wants him to be the manager who brings Cleveland its first World Series title since 1948.

The Indians hired Manuel as manager Monday, ending a search that took General Manager John Hart outside the organization but wound up back at the Cleveland dugout.

Manuel has never managed in the major leagues but is a player favorite in Cleveland and has worked for the last six years as the team’s hitting instructor.

Contract terms were not disclosed.

Manuel’s former boss, Mike Hargrove, was fired after the Indians collapsed in the first round of the AL playoffs against Boston. Cleveland went up, 2-0, in the series but lost the next three games.

When Hart fired Hargrove, he talked about finding a manager who could take the Indians to the World Series title. Manuel made it clear he understands the goal.

“The only way we’re going to get national recognition, I know, is to win a World Series,” Manuel said. “Believe me, I’m starting to work for October. I want it to go down to the end of October.”

Hart also promised to find a “new voice and new energy” in the clubhouse, but Hart said his familiarity and respect for Manuel outweighed the credentials of the other candidates.

“It’s based on the fact that we know him--there are no gray areas,” Hart said. “Charlie’s going to bring a new atmosphere and a new environment into the clubhouse with his day-to-day relationships with the players.”

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The Milwaukee Brewers wanted him. The Angels and Indians were interested too.

The team Don Baylor really wanted to manage was the Chicago Cubs.

“There’s not that many times you’re going to have the chance to manage a franchise with great tradition like the Chicago Cubs,” Baylor said after he was introduced as the Cubs’ new manager. “It grabbed me right away because I really never envisioned managing this team. There are not that many guys that they ask that.”

The Atlanta Braves’ hitting coach replaces Jim Riggleman, who was fired last month. Baylor is the Cubs’ 46th manager.

Baylor’s deal is reportedly worth $5.2 million over four years.