BOSTON – When the Mets interview Rudy Jaramillo today in New York, they’ll be talking to a man who is earning raves from people all over the game.
Just another reason why the Texas hitting coach is one of the leading candidates to become the next Mets’ manager.
“He’s a Hall of Fame hitting coach,” said Alex Rodriguez, who had Jaramillo as his hitting coach during his Rangers tenure. “Any capacity the Mets would use him in, he’d do a great job.”
A-Rod didn’t hesitate when asked what Jaramillo’s biggest strength is.
“Trust,” he said. “You can trust this guy. That’s the biggest compliment you can give anyone, is trust. Players love him. It doesn’t matter who you are, the 25th man or the first guy. They all love him the same. He’d be a great asset.”
Similar sentiments were shared by former major leaguer Pete Incaviglia, who was a player for the Astros years ago when Jaramillo was the hitting coach there.
“Best hitting instructor in the business, bar none,” raved Incaviglia, who’s now the hitting instructor for the Tigers’ Double-A affiliate. “He’s head and heels over everybody else. He’s really intelligent inside. Outside, he has the look of a grinder. He’s one tough son of a [gun].”
Asked whether Jaramillo can manage, Incaviglia replied, “Absolutely. He will be a great manager. He has passion and intelligence for the game. He’s one of the most organized people I’ve ever been around. Somebody will be getting a real good manager.”
Meanwhile, Cardinals special assignment scout Jim Leyland (rumored to be a potential darkhorse candidate) told the Post yesterday that he’s “not really sure” whether he’d want to get back into managing but said he has not talked to the Mets about his own candidacy.
Leyland, however, did reveal that several days ago, he spoke to Mets GM Omar Minaya in order to recommend third base coach Gene Lamont for the job.
Bobby Valentine, of course, remains an outside candidate, though there are questions whether they can afford him, considering they are already paying Art Howe. The Mets may contact Valentine, though, and his agent, Tony Attanasio, said Valentine will certainly listen.
“Bobby would always be interested in talking to anybody about baseball and more specifically, major league managing,” Attanasio said. “He lives in Stamford. He knows the organization. Why would anybody not be interested?”
