Tigers fans may not have Jim Leyland's long-time 3rd base coach, top strategist and sidekick, Gene Lamont, to kick around much longer. He is reportedly interviewing with the Red Sox and new GM Ben Cherington for their open managerial job.
For those of you who have it in for Lamont, I wouldn't get your hopes up. It seems he's one of a cast of thousands the Red Sox are interviewing. It's damn near a cattle call.
Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. will interview for the post at Fenway Park on Wednesday.
Torey Lovullo, who managed Boston's Triple-A Pawtucket affiliate in 2010 and was the first-base coach for the Blue Jays this past season, will interview on Friday.
Tigers third-base coach Gene Lamont, who filled that same role for the Red Sox in 2001, will get his chance to speak with Cherington about the job on Saturday.
The Red Sox have already interviewed Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum.
And yes, that is former Tiger Torey Lovullo. Sparky Anderson fell in love with Lovullo back in spring training 1989, handing him the starting 1st base job. Lovullo proceeded to hit .115 and was sent down in mid-May, never to return to Detroit. It was deja vu all over again, if you remember Chris Pittaro.
As for Lamont, the Red Sox wanting to interview the baseball lifer isn't a huge surprise, if you look at his background. Lamont does have plenty of big league managerial experience, piloting the White Sox from 1992-95, leading them to the playoffs in 1993. He then took over the Pirates from 1997–2000, only to be replaced by...Lloyd McClendon.
Small world, isn't it?
To make an educated guess, this is much ado about nothing. I don't think the Red Sox would hire a coach Boston fans would feel is one, a retread member of the good ol' boy network, and two, not big enough of a name. Talking to Lamont is the Red Sox doing their due diligence, nothing more.
Not to worry, Lamont fans. I'm sure he will be back on the Tigers' bench next season, hanging out with Leyland, and getting runners thrown out at the plate.