The Boston Red Sox watched their former general manager take a new job with an Ivy League university and hired another former general manager to join their coaching staff in 2016.
Ben Cherington, who resigned as Red Sox GM in August, joined Columbia University's faculty staff on Monday. The longtime front office executive declined interviews with the Seattle Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies in recent weeks as he was looking to take some time away from baseball.
Now he'll be a teacher.
"The Columbia University Sports Management Program today announced that Ben Cherington, one of the most respected executives in professional baseball and until this past August the general manager of the Boston Red Sox, is joining its world class faculty in the position of Executive-in-Residence," according to a press release from Columbia's website. "Cherington will be instructing a class on the topic of leadership in sports this spring, in the Master of Science in Sports Management degree program."
Cherington was reportedly engaged in "informal discussions" with the Pittsburgh Pirates about a potential front office job, according to ESPN Insider Buster Olney, but his new position at Columbia will likely conflict with a return to the MLB.
On the other hand, the Red Sox hired former Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro as their first base coach for 2016. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe first reported the news over the weekend and the Red Sox confirmed it on Monday.
#RedSox name Ruben Amaro Jr. first base coach on club's major league coaching staff.
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) October 26, 2015
Amaro will also serve as the team's outfield instructor and assist with baserunning instruction, according to a press release from the team. He signed a two-year deal.
It's a bizarre transition for Amaro, who spent 10 years as assistant GM of the Phillies before taking over as GM after the 2008 season. He was dismissed by the team's new president, Andy MacPhail, in September despite a winning record (573-539) during his tenure as well as his fine work making trades over the past year. However, the Phillies haven't had a winning season since 2011, which was the last time they won the NL East and made the playoffs.
Nonetheless, Amaro is excited for his new role with a new organization.
"I am truly honored to join the Red Sox, a first-class organization with a tremendous history," he said in the press release. "I was honored that Dave and John would consider me for this opportunity and add me to this dynamic coaching staff. I am poised, focused, and ready to bring anything I can in terms of experience and knowledge to this position, and I look forward to being a part of the Boston Red Sox."
