Dodgers Move Forward to Fill the Manager Job

Two internal candidates with major league managerial experience are interested in the opening left Monday when Jim Tracy parted ways with the Dodgers after five seasons.

And the interest appears mutual.

Terry Collins, the director of player development, and Jerry Royster, the manager at triple-A Las Vegas, are among those expected to be interviewed next week by General Manager Paul DePodesta.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates said Tracy was a strong candidate for their managerial opening. So far, Pirate General Manager Dave Littlefield has interviewed only Atlanta Brave third base coach Fredi Gonzalez.

“I’m aware of Jim Tracy and I have a great deal of respect for him,” Littlefield said. “I would have interest in him now that he is available.”

The Dodgers are moving forward as well. DePodesta leaves today for Italy and will return next week to a full schedule of interviews. Besides Collins and Royster, Angel pitching coach Bud Black and Oakland third base coach Ron Washington could be among the candidates.

Collins and Royster have the benefit of knowing DePodesta and are familiar with his philosophies. Both say they could work smoothly with the front office. And both want the job.

DePodesta contacted Collins on Monday, informing him the job would be open and saying he would get back to him next week. The Dodgers are pleased with the job Collins has done with the minor league system.

“I’m honored to have my name involved,” Collins said. “I work in a whole different department than the major league team, but are we on the same page? The answer is yes. Our communication is really good.”

Collins managed the Houston Astros from 1994 through 1996 and the Angels from 1997 until he was fired late in the 1999 season. He posted winning records in his first five seasons, finishing second in the division each year, and has an overall record of 444-434.

Collins, 55, interviewed for openings in Seattle and with the New York Mets last off-season and for the Kansas City job at midseason.

Royster, 52, is a former Dodger infielder whose major league managing experience is limited to 147 games in 2002 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He inherited a team with questionable talent and went 53-94. He has spent nine seasons as a minor league manager.

“I definitely have interest in the opening,” he said. “It’s actually a dream job. It’s something that anyone who is aspiring to be a manager, you’d want to be the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“And for me, it’s home because that’s where I started my career.”

Orel Hershiser, the former Dodger pitching great who has been mentioned in several published reports, would be a long shot, sources said. Hershiser is the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers.

Pitching coaches traditionally have not made great managers, and DePodesta knows that. However, the Angels’ Black could prove an exception. He has turned down several opportunities because he wants to remain in Southern California, but the Dodger opening could interest him.

Washington is a strong motivator and is well-schooled in the “Moneyball” approach developed by Oakland General Manager Billy Beane and DePodesta, who was Beane’s assistant for several years.