Frank Victores – USA Today Sports
Former shortstop and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin spent his whole career with the Cincinnati Reds. If the Reds are looking for someone related to the team to fill the vacancy created by the firing of former manager Dusty Baker, then he would definitely be a good choice.
Granted, Larkin was not part of Baker’s coaching staff nor did he spend the better part of the year with the Reds’ players like pitching coach and managerial candidate Bryan Price did, but he is closely associated with the team and has been for many years. He knows how the organization works and Reds fans everywhere already know and love him.
However, Larkin said today that he has not heard anything from the Reds regarding the open position but said that he would definitely talk to them if they contacted him. He seems very interested, also saying that he would enjoy managing a team someday.
In Larkin’s 19-year career with the Reds, he hit .295 with 198 home runs and 960 RBI. He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2012.
Larkin has stayed close to baseball since he retired by working for ESPN and occasionally for MLB.
There is a good chance Price could get the job, but that is still speculation at this point. The Reds have confirmed that he and Jim Riggleman, the manager of the Reds’ Triple-A team in Louisville, are candidates for the position and will be interviewed.
Price and Riggleman are both ideal candidates, but so is Larkin. The Reds may not consider him for the position now, but they should keep open minds and consider him for other coaching positions that may become available in the future with the Reds. Any organization would be lucky to have him in their clubhouse.
Jenna Aquino is a Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, “Like” her on Facebook, or add her to your network on Google.
