Ryne Sandberg

Ryne Sandberg will make his second big-league debut with the Phillies in April and it will be fascinating to see where this career path leads him. The last time Sandberg debuted in a Phillies uniform, he was a 21-year-old infielder launching what became a Hall of Fame career. It became a painful experience for the Phillies and their fans to witness. Sandberg's resumé was crafted in Chicago after Cubs general manager Dallas Green persuaded his former team to "throw in" the young infielder as part of a deal that shipped shortstop Larry Bowa out of Philadelphia.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - There is a Hall of Fame second baseman in camp with the Phillies, and Chase Utley is well aware of the man's presence. "I'd be dumb not to pick his brain," Utley said. So Utley and Ryne Sandberg will talk often, Utley promised. Outside observers would say there are plenty of similarities between the players. They hadn't met before this spring, but Sandberg's hiring as the franchise's triple-A manager created an opportunity. During spring training, Sandberg will work with the major-leaguers in camp before heading off to Allentown.

WHEN I WAS hired at this place, way back in 1992, the sports editor painted me a rosy picture. I could write features for a while, cover baseball for a while, and when the columnist nearing retirement age got there, why I could slip right into that spot if I showed the right stuff. I wound up earning the position, which is the way you want get a job anyway. Last month, I got a call from the local sportstalk station, WIP, which said it had lost its pooh-bah, or at least it thought it had, and would I like to try the gig. I said sure, what the hey, but after a few weeks someone asked (begged?

TAMPA, Fla. - Concerns come and go in spring training. One day you're worried about Michael Young's defense at third base and the next your focus is on Roy Halladay's velocity and command. We'll get a better idea about Halladay's issues Sunday when he pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Bright House Field. As for Young's defense, it's officially OK to stop worrying about it. Young, acquired in a trade from the Texas Rangers in December, had started just 64 games at third base the last two seasons and made 19 errors in his last full season at the position, 2010.

Ryne Sandberg is ready to return to the big leagues. "Oh, I'm ready," the Hall of Fame second baseman said last week as he sat in the dugout at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. "In my mind, I'm ready for a major-league opportunity. " Good luck trying to find somebody who does not agree. Sandberg has spent six seasons as a minor-league manager, including the last two with the Phillies' triple-A Lehigh Valley affiliate, and the time has come for him to take the next step. You won't hear Sandberg say that.

The first step toward Ryne Sandberg's becoming the next manager of the Philadelphia Phillies was put into motion Thursday when the Hall of Fame second baseman was named the team's third-base coach and infield instructor. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied that was the intent after he recited the myriad changes to the coaching staff following the .500 season that ended the Phillies' run of five straight National League East titles. "We've made no promises to Ryne Sandberg," Amaro said.

Even Curt Schilling tipped his cap. Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg had just singled to left in the fifth inning yesterday at Wrigley Field. Manager Jim Riggleman, sensing a perfect opportunity to give Sandberg a proper send-off during the last home game of his stellar career, prepared to send Miguel Cairo in as a pinch-runner. Sandberg trotted slowly across the infield and to the dugout on the third-base side. The haunting theme from "The Natural" played in the warm fall air. The crowd of 29,922 accorded him a standing ovation and demanded a curtain call.

Through the first 19 games, Atlanta's new centerfielder, Kenny Lofton, ranked first in the NL in hits (38), second in batting (.437), second in runs (21), second in stolen bases (nine) and third in total bases (50). Through the first three weeks of last season, the Braves hit 22 homers and scored 88 runs while going 11-10. This year, the club hit 15 homers over the same period, but scored 102 runs and won 14 of 19 games. Lofton's 21 runs has him on pace to break Hugh Duffy's franchise record of 160, set in 1894.

All-Star second baseman Ryne Sandberg, one of baseball's highest-paid players, will be in town this weekend when the Phillies meet the Chicago Cubs at Veterans Stadium. Sandberg, who was in the last year of his contract, signed a four-year, $28.4 million extension before the season. In addition to Sandberg, the Cubs feature first baseman Mark Grace and outfielder Andre Dawson, and their pitching includes two ex-Phillies: Bob Scanlon and Chuck McElroy. Game time tonight is 7:35; Saturday, "Camera Night," 7:05; and Sunday, "Nostalgia Day," 1:35 p.m. Fans are invited to bring their cameras and come out early for Saturday's game.

The Phillies have given permission to the St. Louis Cardinals to interview Triple A manager Ryne Sandberg for their vacant managerial position, according to reports. FoxSports.com first reported that permission was requested. The Cardinals are looking for a replacement for Tony La Russa, who retired after St. Louis won the World Series. The Cubs have a managerial opening, too, after Mike Quade was told yesterday that he would not be brought back. Cubs president Theo Epstein has said previous big-league experience is a prerequisite for the job. Epstein called Sandberg yesterday to tell him that he was not being considered.

When the two men sat in a cafeteria at Bright House Field two springs ago, there was no acrimony. Ruben Amaro Jr. unveiled a three-year extension for Charlie Manuel, a contract that would make him one of the highest-paid managers in baseball. "More than likely," Manuel said then, "I'll stay around as long as they'll have me. " When a disappointing 81-81 season ended last October, the two men faced a row of cameras in the basement of Citizens Bank Park to explain what would change.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Sal Agostinelli stood just outside the Phillies' clubhouse at Bright House Field on Tuesday morning and shouted in Spanish at Freddy Galvis as the 23-year-old Venezuelan shagged fly balls in left field. The translation: "I told him that 'I thought I signed you to be a shortstop,' " said Agostinelli, the Phillies' director of international scouting. Galvis continued to expand his positional resumé by starting in left field for the Phillies 10-1 Grapefruit League win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

TAMPA, Fla. - Concerns come and go in spring training. One day you're worried about Michael Young's defense at third base and the next your focus is on Roy Halladay's velocity and command. We'll get a better idea about Halladay's issues Sunday when he pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Bright House Field. As for Young's defense, it's officially OK to stop worrying about it. Young, acquired in a trade from the Texas Rangers in December, had started just 64 games at third base the last two seasons and made 19 errors in his last full season at the position, 2010.

WHEN I WAS hired at this place, way back in 1992, the sports editor painted me a rosy picture. I could write features for a while, cover baseball for a while, and when the columnist nearing retirement age got there, why I could slip right into that spot if I showed the right stuff. I wound up earning the position, which is the way you want get a job anyway. Last month, I got a call from the local sportstalk station, WIP, which said it had lost its pooh-bah, or at least it thought it had, and would I like to try the gig. I said sure, what the hey, but after a few weeks someone asked (begged?

Ryne Sandberg will make his second big-league debut with the Phillies in April and it will be fascinating to see where this career path leads him. The last time Sandberg debuted in a Phillies uniform, he was a 21-year-old infielder launching what became a Hall of Fame career. It became a painful experience for the Phillies and their fans to witness. Sandberg's resumé was crafted in Chicago after Cubs general manager Dallas Green persuaded his former team to "throw in" the young infielder as part of a deal that shipped shortstop Larry Bowa out of Philadelphia.

The first step toward Ryne Sandberg's becoming the next manager of the Philadelphia Phillies was put into motion Thursday when the Hall of Fame second baseman was named the team's third-base coach and infield instructor. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied that was the intent after he recited the myriad changes to the coaching staff following the .500 season that ended the Phillies' run of five straight National League East titles. "We've made no promises to Ryne Sandberg," Amaro said.

When his ninth season as Phillies manager begins in February, Charlie Manuel will be 69 years old and without assurances. He is not under contract beyond 2013. He will not pursue such a guarantee. And it is entirely possible he will share a dugout with the man to ultimately replace him. "That doesn't put any pressure on me," a defiant Manuel said Thursday. In the aftermath of a lost season, Manuel and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke for 43 minutes in the basement of Citizens Bank Park.

IMAGINE YOU ARE Andy Reid and you just finished your season's work when you find out the Eagles have hired a young, popular, up-and-coming coach as one of your coordinators. Or you're Doug Collins and the Sixers decided to put a hotshot, on-the-rise college coach on your staff. You can continue the analogy with Peter Laviolette and the Flyers, but you probably get the point. When the proverbial other shoe dropped on the Phillies' end-of-the-season coaching changes on Thursday, Ryne Sandberg found a spot on the major league coaching staff.