Is Down Up for Manager?

Jose Vizcaino has been busy in the World Series.

The New York Yankee infielder has focused on the New York Mets this week, but Vizcaino made time to speak with former Dodger teammates, many of whom hope Rick Down becomes their next manager.

So who is Rick Down?

That’s a question Dodger fans will ask if Chairman Bob Daly, as expected, promotes the longtime batting coach shortly after the Subway Series.

“Man, all those guys really want him to get that job,” Vizcaino said Wednesday before Game 4 at Shea Stadium. “I talk to a lot of those guys, and they all say the same thing.

“They think he’s the right guy, and he would do a really good job. I know he did a good job when I was there, and everybody you talk to is always saying good stuff about him. They want Rick Down.”

Daly, President Bob Graziano and General Manager Kevin Malone are attending the World Series to conduct interviews, and bench coach Jim Tracy is considered the other top candidate.

The Dodgers are today scheduled to interview New York Yankee coaches Willie Randolph and Chris Chambliss, who are being considered for other openings.

Randolph interviewed with the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, and Chambliss is on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ list.

Many baseball sources said Down is the Dodger favorite because of his relationship with Malone, support from key players and minor league managerial record.

Down impressed Daly, Graziano and Malone in a recent interview, sources said, clearing a key hurdle because Daly and Graziano had not worked as closely with Down as Malone had the last two seasons.

The Dodgers are not commenting on the process, and Down, at the Dodgers’ instruction, declined an interview request.

“We have interviewed a number of strong candidates, but we have not come to any conclusions as of this time,” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president. “We are still in the midst of the process, and we will not comment on the status or results of any of the interviews.”

Down, a minor league third baseman in the early 1970s, was the only member of former manager Davey Johnson’s staff whom Johnson and Malone both wanted to hire, sources said.

Down was the Baltimore Orioles’ batting coach from 1996-98, working under Johnson and Malone, then the club’s assistant general manager. The Orioles hit 251 homers in ‘96, setting a major league record that has been broken.

Malone told sources that Down did an outstanding job this season, praising his work ethic and approach with players.

Because of the disastrous Malone-Johnson partnership, Daly said the Dodgers’ next manager must be able to coexist with Malone. Down has already displayed that skill.

Sources said that pitcher Kevin Brown, right fielder Shawn Green and first baseman Eric Karros are among the players who have endorsed Down.

They made their feelings known to Daly and Malone, who had been considering elevating a member of the coaching staff after firing Johnson on Sept. 29.

Why is Down the players’ choice?

Many said Down communicates well with them, something Johnson did not do during his turbulent two years at the Dodgers’ helm.

Down has confronted players, leading some to believe he would run a tighter ship than Johnson.

The Dodgers established a franchise record with 211 home runs, and finished eighth in the National League with 798 runs. They were 12th in batting with a .257 average.

“Rick Down will do anything he can to help you get better,” third baseman Adrian Beltre said in a recent interview. “He gives you all the time you need and he’s willing to work whenever you want to work.

“He talks to you any time you want to talk. It helps you when you know you have somebody like Rick behind you.”

Down, who turns 50 on Dec. 14, has not managed in the majors.

He had a 371-273 record in six seasons managing in the Yankee farm system, leading the club’s triple-A team to three consecutive division titles and two league championships.

Down became the Yankees’ hitting instructor in 1993. The club led the American League in batting in ’93 and ‘94, but owner George Steinbrenner fired Down after the ’95 season.

The Angels considered Down when they hired Terry Collins in 1996, and Down has been a candidate elsewhere.

“Just because he’s never been a manager doesn’t mean anything, a lot of guys have been managers and they do a bad job,” Vizcaino said. “He has the respect of a lot of big guys on the team, and everybody knows he works real hard. All he needs is a chance.”