Tigers Coach Gene Lamont Will Not Be Red Sox Manager

The Boston Red Sox have reportedly named former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine as their replacement for departed manager Terry Francona.

That bit of news means that Detroit Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont, who was one of the finalists for the much-coveted and much-scrutinized position as Red Sox manager, will not be leaving the Tigers for the Red Sox.

Valentine worked as an analyst for ESPN last season and previously managed the Texas Rangers and in Japan in addition to the Mets.

Lamont had been invited back for a second interview with team ownership last week but ESPN's Karl Ravech cited sources saying that he was no longer in the running.

The 64 year-old Lamont has been with the Tigers for the past six seasons, prior to which he managed the Chicago White Sox from 1992-1995 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1997-2000. Lamont was named AL Manager of the Year in 1993 and holds a career record of 553-562.

Tigers Coach Gene Lamont Finalist For Red Sox Manager

Detroit Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont figured to be one of the finalists for the Boston Red Sox manager’s job after being invited back for a second interview with team ownership last week.

That interview took place last Wednesday, according to Lamont. Toronto Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo didn’t receive a second interview, which didn’t speak well of his chances for the job. Sure enough, the Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham reported on Monday that Lovullo had been eliminated from consideration.

However, eliminating Lovullo seemed like a formality. The two finalists for the Red Sox managerial vacancy have been Lamont and ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine ever since Dale Sveum opted to become the Chicago Cubs’ manager. But it’s now official.

Abraham talked to Lamont about the possibility of becoming the Red Sox manager. Here’s what he had to say:

“I’m excited, a little antsy to be honest with you,” he said. “This has kind of dragged on. But it’s a good job. They have a good team and it’s a great place. I’d be lucky to get the job I guess there are two of us left and I’m glad to be one of them.”

As mentioned, Lamont met with the Red Sox ownership last Wednesday. Abraham reports that Valentine hasn’t spoken with management since last week, either. He takes that to mean that Valentine isn’t the lock for the job that many think he is. After all, if ownership and GM Ben Cherington were in complete agreement on Valentine, wouldn’t he have been named the manager by now?

UPDATE: The New York Post's Joel Sherman reports that the Red Sox are expected to name a manager on Tuesday when Valentine returns from Japan. (via Eye on Baseball)

Tigers Coach Gene Lamont Meeting With Red Sox Again This Week

He’s still alive, Tigers fans.

As the Boston Red Sox further whittled down their list of managerial candidates after meeting with Bobby Valentine on Monday, one name still remained: Detroit Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont.

Lamont is set to meet with the Red Sox ownership again this week, reportedly on Tuesday or Wednesday, to further discuss his candidacy for the manager’s job.

Boston Herald beat writer John Tomase wonders if Lamont could ultimately end up being the pick as sort of a compromise between the preferences of new Red Sox GM Ben Cherington and team ownership.

Cherington is believed to want a manager who’s willing to work closely with the GM, and is versed in incorporating data and advanced metrics into his daily routine. Ownership (especially team president Larry Lucchino) is reportedly more interested in bringing in an experienced manager, one who wouldn’t allow the fried-chicken-and-beer escapades that have come to symbolize the Red Sox’s apathetic September collapse.

But if the Red Sox are looking for an experienced manager who won’t clash with the front office, as Valentine did late in his tenure with the New York Mets, Lamont might be seen as the safer hire.

Regardless, the Red Sox apparently won’t make a decision until after Thanksgiving. Cherington says he wants the new manager in place by baseball’s winter meetings, which begin Dec. 5.

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