Major League Baseball

Melvin attracts interest | BREWERS Team to interview ex-Arizona manager /

Published Oct. 14, 2010 10:09 p.m. ET

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The possibility exists that the Milwaukee Brewers could become a Melvin & Melvin baseball operation in 2011.

Bob Melvin is one of the candidates the Brewers will interview for their managerial opening and is scheduled to meet with general manager Doug Melvin next week.

"I don't want to get into it too much, but I would say I am very excited about this opportunity to interview," Bob Melvin said when contacted by telephone.

Melvin, 48, interviewed with the Brewers in 2002 when Ned Yost was hired as manager. He previously served as bench coach under former Brewers manager Phil Garner, but that was under a different regime. Melvin later managed two seasons in Seattle, going 156-168, and four-plus seasons in Arizona, with a 337-340 record.

Under Melvin, the Diamondbacks won the NL West title in 2007 and swept the Chicago Cubs in the division series before being swept by Colorado in the NLCS. Arizona was outscored by opponents that season, and Melvin was named NL manager of the year for leading that underdog team to the playoffs.

Melvin already has interviewed for managerial vacancies with the Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays this fall.

"I just love going to Miller Park because of the atmosphere there," he said. "The fans have been so supportive, and the place has a buzz when you go there that's very noticeable.

"And it's been like that since the ballpark opened. When you consider the market size, it's incredible." As for whether his experience with the Brewers might help his candidacy, Melvin said, "I don't know if that helps. It might help some because they know me a little better." Doug Melvin, still in Phoenix after four days of scouting meetings, said he interviewed four candidates there but wouldn't reveal their names. Melvin said he expected to interview as many as 10 candidates overall but would not confirm any specific names.

"I prefer not to get into the people we'retalkingto,"saidMelvin."I'dlike to keep it quiet from our standpoint. It's no big secret who some of the names are. Some of them know each other.

"A lot of people have asked about the job. I talked with Bob (Melvin), but I don't want to get into the level of interest." Fox Sports reported that two candidates interviewed by Melvin were former Cleveland manager Eric Wedge and Tim Wallach, the Los Angeles Dodgers Triple-A manager. Los Angeles Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke was reported to be another of the candidates.

Cecil Cooper, who has ties to the Brewers as a former star player as well as farm director, minor-league manager and bench coach, said he asked to be considered for the opening.

Doug Melvin said he hadn't called Cooper back yet but expected to make contact.

"I think I would be a perfect fit," said Cooper. "I hope they think so, too." Cooper served two years in the Brewers' system as manager at the Triple-A level. He was elevated to bench coach in 2002 after Jerry Royster took over as the Brewers' interim manager for the fired Davey Lopes.

Cooper was promoted from bench coach to manager of the Houston Astros in August 2007 when Phil Garner was fired. Cooper was dismissed in September 2009 after posting a 171-170 record with the Astros.

Cooper, 61, interviewed Tuesday for the managerial vacancy with Seattle but said he'd love to get a chance to manage the Brewers.

"I'm looking to get back," said Cooper.

"I've got something to prove. I know a lot of the players in Milwaukee and a lot of the people with the club. It would be perfect." Doug Melvin said he'd probably pare the group of candidates and do a second round of interviews.

Hesaidtheentire process could take "two or three weeks," which means the Brewers might not name a new manager until the World Series is over.

"It's not easy," he said. "It's very time-consuming. Somebody could come up that I'm not even thinking about right now.

"There's a lot of good candidates out there, including some that are exciting that haven't managed yet. There's a new group of guys who might do well." The New York Times reported Wednesday night that the Brewers alsomighthaveinterestinBobbyValentine, the former major-league manager now covering baseball for ESPN. Sveum interviews: Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum was interviewed Wednesday for the managerial opening in Pittsburgh. Sveum formerly managed in the Pirates' farm system.

"It was my first interview and you never know what to expect," said Sveum."ButIfeltrightathome.Theinterview lasted about four hours, and I thought it was only two hours. We talked a lot of baseball and the time went by." The Pirates also have interviewed Ken Macha, a Pittsburgh native, for that opening.

Copyright 2010, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. (Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media.)

Copyright, 2010, Journal Sentinel, All Rights Reserved.

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