Managerial Openings
Changes made in Boston, Memphis, Los Angeles
It's a tough job, and when the results are lacking, changes happen. But that doesn't make them right.
A year after guiding the Los Angeles Idols to a PBL Championship and consecutive postseason comebacks from 3-1 series deficits, Charlie Manuel is out as skipper of the Idols.
After a pair of sub-.500 seasons his first two years at the helm, the Idols won the PBL Championship in 2016, and won 96 games this season, held off by eventual Southern League champion Arizona.
"I think 96 wins is a fine year," Manuel said. "I guess my honeymoon was over."
The Boston Riders fired Sparky Anderson, who landed on his feet, signing on to take over the helm with the Oklahoma City Scorpions - where he will benefit from the #1 pick in the draft. That job was opened when Pat Moran was relieved of duty, only to later sign on to lead Memphis.
That came about when Buck Showalter was let go in Memphis. He'll serve as bench coach in Indianapolis under their new skipper, Whitey Herzog, who was fired by Memphis in August. Herzog led the Wichita Brigade for 7 years, and led them to three first place finishes, including the inaugural title in PBL history.