Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke isn’t dwelling on job security
By Sean Penney
Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke isn’t dwelling on his job security.
Ron Roenicke currently holds the title of manager for the Boston Red Sox but how long he retains that role is uncertain. He’s only under contract through the 2020 season, a season that is in jeopardy over a heated labor dispute. It’s within the realm of possibility that the club goes in another direction when his contract expires before Roenicke has the opportunity to manage a single game but he isn’t worrying about what the future holds.
Roenicke served as the Red Sox bench coach for the last two seasons under Alex Cora, who parted ways with the team in the wake of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal that resulted in a one-year suspension for his involvement. The interim tag was removed from Roenicke’s title once MLB cleared him in their investigation of the 2018 Red Sox but a contract extension didn’t accompany the promotion.
We’ve all heard the whispers that Cora could potentially return after serving his suspension but Roenicke isn’t concerned about his managerial future, according to what he told Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal.
"“It goes through my head, but it’s not something I dwell on too much,” Roenicke told McAdam. “Maybe that’s because I’ve done this for so long. I would say I if was 40 years old and I was in this position, I would definitely feel that way. But I don’t so much.”"
The 63-year-old has five years of managerial experience with the Milwaukee Brewers. He led his former club to a division title in 2011 when he was the runner-up for the NL Manager of the Year award. Roenicke has proven he can succeed in this role.
On the other hand, it’s easy to see why some fans are still pining for the return of Cora, who led the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 wins and a World Series title in his first year as the manager.
A portion of the fan base is ready to wash their hands of Cora due to his tainted past in Houston but there are many who are willing to accept a manager that gives the Red Sox the best chance to win. His shady tactics to steal signs aren’t among the traits that brought Cora to Boston to begin with. He has an intelligent baseball mind, great communication skills and an ability to create a rapport with his players. Those traits haven’t diminished, which means Cora is still capable of being a great manager.
Cora’s reputation was stained by the Astros scandal but Roenicke knows what kind of man he is and remains impressed by what he witnessed while serving beside him in the dugout for two seasons. Roenicke believes that Cora deserves a second chance, even if it comes at his own expense.
"“This is a guy I would really like to see manage again,” he added. “And if it’s in Boston, it’s in Boston. I don’t know. I’m just going to the best I can at this job while I have it. And then what happens, happens. I’m not going to be mad about whatever goes on.”"
It doesn’t seem fair that Roenicke could be replaced without doing anything wrong to warrant losing his job. Unfortunately, his position could be part of the collateral damage if the season is canceled. Even if baseball returns in 2020, a shortened season leaves Roenicke less time to prove he’s the right fit to lead the Red Sox into the future, putting more pressure on him to succeed.
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While his “that’s the way it goes” mentality regarding his job security suggests that Roenicke has accepted his fate that he’s simply keeping the seat warm for someone else, his comments may merely be a way to deflect that type of negativity. He can’t worry about factors that aren’t in his control. Roenicke is here to do his job and he’ll do it to the best of his ability for as long as the Red Sox allow him to hold the position.