Black Comfortable With His Decision

By Bill Shaikin

April 29, 2003 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

CLEVELAND —

Rare is the man who would make the decision Bud Black did last year.

Black really ought to be managing the Cleveland Indians tonight, against the Angels. By all accounts, the job was his, but he withdrew his name from consideration and signed up for another year as Angel pitching coach.

“The decision felt right at the time,” Black said, “and it still feels right.”

After his interview with the Indians, Black decided he owed it to his daughters, 15 and 11, not to seek a job so far from their home in the San Diego area.

For a first-time manager, the Cleveland job would have been close to perfect for Black. He pitched for the Indians, then worked for the team as a scout, minor league coach and front-office advisor. He is close with the man who would have been his boss, Cleveland General Manager Mark Shapiro. And the Indians are rebuilding, so there is little pressure to win now.

“It would be a hard opportunity to walk away from, unless you had some really good reasons,” Angel bench coach Joe Maddon said. “I respect anybody who does walk away for some really good reasons.”

Maddon is painfully aware how precious those opportunities are. He would love to manage in the major leagues, but no other team has even interviewed him.

Black, 45, is just as aware that there is no guarantee of a second chance. He was interested in pursuing the Seattle Mariners’ managerial vacancy last winter, but the Mariners did not interview him, even though they did meet with Angel third-base coach Ron Roenicke. Black also realizes his stock may never be as high as it was last year, when the Angels won the World Series.

“I’m OK with that,” he said. “I’m very satisfied with myself, and with where I am as the pitching coach here.

“I do look forward to other challenges. Those could be as a pitching coach, as a manager or, if things work out, moving to a position in a front office.

“Right now, the focus is one season at a time.”

The Angels sent reliever Derrick Turnbow to triple-A Salt Lake. Reliever Francisco Rodriguez is expected to rejoin the team today after attending his grandmother’s funeral in Venezuela.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Cleveland Indians, three games.

Site -- Jacobs Field.

Tonight -- 4 PDT.

TV -- None.

Radio -- KSPN (710), KWKU (1220).

Records -- Angels 11-14, Indians 7-18.

Record vs. Indians (2002) -- 6-3.

Wednesday, 4 p.m. PDT --Jarrod Washburn (1-3, 4.76) vs. Brian Anderson (2-2, 3.51) or Jason Davis (2-3, 6.67).

Thursday, 4 p.m. PDT -- Mickey Callaway (1-3, 6.04) vs. Jake Westbrook (1-2, 2.28).

Bill Shaikin

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