Former A's Catcher Stephen Vogt a Candidate for Cleveland Guardians Mangerial Opening
Monday morning Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that former Oakland A's catcher Stephen Vogt is now a serious candidate for the managerial opening in Cleveland, following Terry Francona stepping down at the end of the 2023 season.
Vogt retired following the 2022 season, and he did so in the most memorable way possible, homering in his final plate appearance. Funnily enough, Vogt's first big-league hit was also a home run. Both dingers were hit to the same spot in right field in Oakland.
Vogt played ten seasons in the big leagues as a member of the A's, Braves, Brewers, Giants, Diamondbacks, and Rays after debuting at the age of 27. He hit .239 with a .301 OBP for his career, but it was the knowledge he brought to the field, and the humor he brought to the clubhouse that gave him such longevity along with his bat.
Last season with the A's, Cole Irvin had been struggling in the first inning and finished the year with an 8.40 ERA in the first frame. He said that Vogt had told him about how Madison Bumgarner would warm up before games, and that little bit of knowledge led to Irvin having more success in the first inning and led to a stretch of very solid starts for the left-hander.
Vogt spent this past season as a bullpen and quality control coach for the Seattle Mariners, the team closest to his home in the Pacific Northwest.
With Vogt under consideration for the Guardians' gig, it just shows how well liked he is around the game. The former catcher could do just about any job in baseball he wanted, whether that was a media personality, a coach, or in the front office, but he has really enjoyed his time on the field in his new role.
Earlier this season in Oakland, Vogt told reporters, "I really love being a coach. I love being around he game. I love just being available for people. It hasn't been all that difficult of a transition, just kind of being a backup catcher the last few years, you kind of have that player/coach mentality. I'm just happy I don't have to face Major League pitching anymore.
"The biggest difference coaching is that there's nothing about your day that's about you. When you're a player, everything is about you preparing yourself to go out and do your job for the game. Now your job is to prepare to help the 26 guys go out and do their job. It's really not about you anymore. Not one aspect of it. When you're a player, it's a lot about you."
He sounds like a manager already. If Cleveland doesn't hire him this offseason, there will undoubtedly be a team that will scoop him up before long. The San Diego Padres would be an interesting fit, if former A's manager Bob Melvin ends up with the manager job in San Francisco.