Cleveland Guardians Executive Discusses Stephen Vogt Hire

Cleveland Executive Vice President and Assistant General Manager Matt Forman recently appeared on Bally Sports Great Lakes' "Guardians Report."

It has been over a month since the Cleveland Guardians hired Stephen Vogt as their newest manager.

After a substantial search process, the team officially announced Vogt’s hiring just over a month after its final regular season game.

Guardians Executive Vice President and General Manager Matt Forman recently appeared on Bally Sports Great Lakes’ “Guardians Report” to discuss the team’s process and eventual decision to hire Vogt.

Matt Forman, executive vice president and assistant general manager of the @CleGuardians, joined @AlPawlowski and @JLEWFifty on Guardians Report this week to discuss the managerial hiring process and what ultimately drew the organization to Stephen Vogt.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/yt7DcPEixc

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) December 15, 2023

“We started with a list of about 50 candidates, and through trusted contacts across the game tried to compile a reference profile of each candidate,” Forman said. “And from there, started to whittle things down over time.”

Forman explained that Vogt ultimately set himself apart with his compassionate personality and eagerness to grow in the position.

“More than anything, we tried to identify someone with three primary characteristics. We were looking for a caring connector, a collaborative partner, and a self-confident learner. And I think Stephen embodied all of those things. When you talk to people across the game about Stephen, the most consistent piece of feedback we heard was just how great of a teammate he was throughout his career.”

Dec 5, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt answers questions at a press conference during the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings / © Kyle Schwab-USA TODAY Sports

Vogt has been endorsed by multiple MLB managers, such as Bob Melvin, who was hired by the San Francisco Giants this offseason, to one day manage a Major League team. Some of Vogt’s former teammates have echoed the thought that he will be a successful MLB manager.

Early on, Forman said that Cleveland has enjoyed working with Vogt so far.

“He’s been with us now for a little over a month since that introductory press conference, and we’ve loved working with him. We’ve had a great dynamic, he’s got a great way about him. And so excited for him to be the face of the franchise as our manager moving forward.”