Rumors have been rampant on the future of Coach Sandberg’s coaching career. While we would enjoy nothing more than Sandberg’s return to the IronPigs for 2012, unfortunately that appears unlikely.
It’s well known that Ryno wants to manage in the Majors and has been engineering his successful MiLB managerial career along that track. The IronPigs have been lucky to be stop-over along the way. The following are brief summaries regarding recent rumors on the next destination of the Ryno Train – All aboard!
Chicago White Sox
Shortly after the release/trade of Ozzie Guillen, the rumors began circulating of Sandberg taking the Sox managerial position. However, there have been no concrete reports about Sandberg moving to the cross town rivals. As of Monday, Phillies GM Rubén Amaro, Jr. stated no other team has approached the Phillies about retaining Coach Sandberg’s services for 2012 and beyond.
Even our old friend Mitch Williams has perpetrated this rumor stating “Cubs fans would become Sox fans if Ryno was the coach.” – Cubs fans aren’t having any of that! Surely, this has raised a lot of ire with Cubs fans and seems to be the main purpose of this rumor.
Chicago Cubs
A recent report from the Chicago Sun Times states the Cubs are likely to reconcile with Ryne Sandberg. However, owner Tom Ricketts would most likely need to replace fired GM Jim Hendry before searching for a new team manager and this could certainly take a while.
It was Jim Hendry who hired Mike Quade (also now released) over Ryno last fall. With Hendry removed and Ricketts reportedly being Sandberg friendly, is this enough to bring Sandberg back to the Windy City? Perhaps Ricketts will hire Sandberg before replacing Hendry. At this point, still just rumor fodder.
Philadelphia Phillies
GM Rubén Amaro, Jr. told mlb.com. “He should get an opportunity to be in the big leagues as a coach or manager. I’m certain he has the ability to do that. For his sake, I hope people come calling for him. For our sake, I hope they don’t because we’d love to have him in our organization.”
Sounds like Sandberg is on waivers and Amaro is waiting to see if another team claims him. Last I checked Sandberg is not a player. Perhaps there is someone more wise in the contracting of MLB managers than I that could shed some light on why the Phils couldn’t hire Ryno right now if they so choose.
So far those are the three main teams in the rumor mill at the moment. Much like the SWB Yankees 2012 Season we may not know the result until well after Thanksgiving or beyond. At least the off-season seems full of ongoing speculation and drama.
In the mean time here’s the Rumor Dish to add to the mix: In 2012 Ryne Sandberg will become the coach of the SWB Yankees who will play in the parking lot, in the Bronx before each Yankees’ home game. “Peanuts, Popcorn, Lawn-Chairs”
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
The Phillies can hire him now if they choose. Anybody else would need permission to make a move. I suspect they’re waiting until after the postseason; with the team in the playoffs, they don’t want to start firing coaches and shaking things up unless there’s a good reason, and the Cubs haven’t asked to talk to him yet, so Amaro probably feels he can afford to wait (assuming they don’t already have some kind of gentleman’s agreement along the lines of “You’re bench coach next year if you want it,” which seems likely). With Hendry gone, I don’t think anybody really expects Ryno to settle for bench coach in Philadelphia if Ricketts offers him Quade’s job, but if Ricketts is smart, he’ll call today — not take a chance on A.) a Phillies collapse driving Manuel into early retirement and putting Ryno on the top step of the dugout, or B.) a Phillies win in the Series giving Ryno a taste of success he’s never had before.
Looks like you can add Terry Francona to the list of qualified people looking for a job as a big league manager.
If I’m the new Cubs GM, I hire Francona to replace Quade and bring in Sandberg as bench coach. Francona’s a onetime Cub who brought glory to a team with a legendary WS drought. Sandberg, arguably the most beloved living Cub, is a promising AAA manager who took a popular but previously fruitless club to its first-ever postseason appearance. Hendry’s loaded the payroll with so many bad contracts, I’m not sure Jesus could get the Cubs to the postseason with Moses as his bench coach, but Francona can make ’em look fairly respectable while Ryno puts butts in the bleachers and gets some big-league seasoning. When Francona gets a better offer, Sandberg can move up — hopefully into a better situation by that time.