Ryne Sandberg's managing career is taking another step forward -- and perhaps a step closer to Wrigley Field someday -- with his promotion to manage the Cubs' Class AA affiliate.
Sandberg, who managed the Class A Peoria Chiefs the last two seasons, will take over the Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League, a significant jump in responsibilities and one the Hall of Fame player covets. ''I'm very excited about it,'' Sandberg said Wednesday. ''Double-A is a big step, not only for the players, but for coaches and managers and the personnel involved. It's running the game in the National League style and having the pitcher in the lineup. You get a taste of everything.''
Sandberg compiled a 131-146 record in two seasons with the Chiefs, getting the assignment after expressing interest in the Cubs' managerial vacancy eventually filled by Lou Piniella. Midwest League games are played with a designated hitter, while Southern League games have no DH.
The move is significant because Class AA talent includes most organizations' top prospects, who at times are promoted directly to the majors.
''I know what I did managing in the Arizona Fall League for seven weeks will help because a lot of the Class AA and AAA players were there,'' Sandberg said. ''I've heard good things about the players and the league, and I know players can go straight to the majors.
''I really feel like I'm a minor-league manager now. Believe it or not, in some ways I've forgotten what I did as a player. This is what I feel I should be doing, and it feels good. It's the next best thing to playing, and I wouldn't have thought that when I was playing. I played for so many years that I wouldn't have thought I'd have stayed in Baseball.''
The Smokies are based in Kodak, Tenn., just outside Knoxville.
''The first thing I did was get a map and look at Tennessee,'' Sandberg said. ''I've never been to the state, so that will be nice.''
The rest of the Cubs' minor-league assignments have Bobby Dickerson taking over as Class AAA Iowa manager, Buddy Bailey at Class A Daytona and Marty Pevey at Peoria. Former Cubs catcher Jody Davis, who had been Daytona's manager, will become minor-league catching coordinator, while former Cubs outfielder Bob Dernier returns as outfield and baserunning coordinator.
Sandberg said Ron Santo's latest denial in Hall of Fame voting by the veterans committee might be a reflection of Baseball itself.
''The system was improved to favor someone getting in,'' said Sandberg, who has a vote. ''But it's the obligation of the members to vote. Ron has competition on the ballot, and maybe that spreads the vote, but it's hard because so many of the current members were lifelong American League players and never saw Ron play.
''The system goes with the game -- the game isn't perfect, and that gives people something to talk about. This is just one more thing for people to talk about, but it's too bad for Ron.''
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