Wilmington Evening Journal - October 28, 1980
Green still prefers to step aside as pilot
By Hal Bodley, Sports Editor
NEW YORK – No decision has been made concerning Dallas Green's future with the Phillies, but the man who guided Philadelphia to its first World Series championship still would like to step aside as manager.
Green, here to attend Mike Schmidt's coronation as Most Valuable Player for the just-completed Series, says he's only had one short meeting with Player Personnel Director Paul Owens and that no decision was reached.
"My preference is still the same," said Green. "There's really little left for me to accomplish. And since I'm not going to be a career manager, I really see very little sense in coming back. I would prefer not to manage. But if the Pope and Ruly Carpenter feel it's best for us and for the organization, I have very seldom turned them down and I don't feel I can."
Although Green didn't admit it, one of his considerations has to be salary. As manager, he's probably earning $100,000 or more. In a front-office position, even as player personnel director, he would earn much less than that.
"Salary was one of the considerations when I took the job in the first place," said the former Phils' director of minor leagues. "It wasn't one of the most important ones, but it was something I had to think about. I have to think about the security of my family."
Another thing that troubles Green is the fact he does not want to see Owens retire to create an opening in the front office. "I know one of Paul's fears is that when I give this up, he's supposed to retire," said Green. "I think that's foolish. I think that's ridiculous. There's nothing that says I can't go upstairs as his assistant for a couple of years and just learn what it's like to be general manager. I've been so tied up as a farm director and scouting director that all the new things that have come into his job have been going over my head because I've been concentrating on my thing.
"So, there's a lot to learn there before you can really say you're comfortable as a general manager. So I think Paul's wrong in saying when I go up there he has to leave. I can work with him and work for him. And it would help me gain some of the experience he has."
Green, who turned 46 last Aug. 4, took over as Phillies' manager on Aug. 31, 1979, when Danny Ozark was fired. His appointment was only on an interim basis, but Owens talked him into continuing for 1980.
Owens, 56, has been player personnel director since June 3, 1972, succeeding John Quinn. "And the Pope's too damn young to retire," added Green. "It's that simple. And it would be ridiculous to send him to pasture when he still has good, productive years left. Nobody realizes what he has done for this organization. He adds strength to the team that a lot of people don't see. He handles the press effectively. He keeps them happy even though turmoil between the writers and players.
"He keeps the players in line, in that they know he is the strength and that what he says is golden. He has not said anything that hasn't happened and they know he will back up everything that has been promised. That's important."
Green insists when he does step up, aside or whatever, he wants a say in his replacement. Names mentioned most often are Bobby Wine, Green's right-hand man last season, and Pat Corrales, a close friend of Green's and a former Phils' catcher who was recently fired as Texas Rangers' manager.
"I know a lot has been said that I'm leaning towards Pat," confided Green. "I think Bobby Wine deserves a lot of consideration. I'll tell you one thing: Wino has not gotten enough credit for what he has done for this team in 1980 and for me, personally. He's been my right-hand guy, there's no question about that. I leaned on him to help me offensively run a ball game.
"I can handle the pitching and he stayed totally out of that, but he handled the lineup and he handled suggestions for most of the offensive part of the game. Bobby Wine helped us win a lot of games. Bobby Wine has gotten a lot of respect from our players and I don't think you can sell that short when you start looking for a manager."
Within the very near future, owner Carpenter, Owens and Green will sit down and come to a decision regarding the manager for 1981.
Dover plans ‘Renie Martin Day’
By Jack Ireland, Staff Writer
DOVER – When Renie Martin pitched so well for the Kansas City Royals against the Phillies in the World Series, he filled Dover with excitement. After all, Dover is the place where Martin grew up, went to school and played baseball.
In order to honor Martin for the pride he instilled in the residents of the city, several local businessmen, along with the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, announced yesterday they will sponsor “Renie Martin Day” Saturday in Dover.
The special day will be begin with a downtown parade at 11:30 a.m., capped off by ah awards ceremony in front of the Dover City Hall at noon. In the event of rain, the activities will be held indoors at a site yet to be determined.
Martin, a Dover High graduate, pitched, well in three appearances for the Royals In the Series. Although the Phillies won the Series four games to two, Martin allowed only 10 hits, three runs and three walks in 9⅔ innings of work. He compiled a 2.70 earned run average.
"I've been telling people since I heard about this that I won't know how to act," said Martin from his home in Dover yesterday. "They said, 'Just act like yourself and you will be all right.’ I'm not used to things like this. I really believe that the people here gave me a much as I have given i grew up here and was able to pay ball here.
“I really still haven't realized everything that has happened to me," added Martin, who posted a 10-10 regular-season record in his first full year with the Royals. “I’m pleased with the way I pitched (in the Series), but I was not happy with the outcome, of course.”
The “Renie Martin Day” activities will begin with a parade, starting from the old railroad station in West Dover at 11:30. The parade will move east on Lookerman Street and end up at City Hall. Included in the parade will be Martin, his parents Paul and Marjorie Martin and younger brother Timmy. The music will be provided by two marching bands from Dover High.
At Dover City Hall, the awards and recognition ceremony will be presided over by Dover Mayor Joseph McDonough, Lt. Gov. James McGinnis and Ron Bowhill, acting president of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce. Bob Reed, athletic director at Westley College and a close personal friend of Martin’s, will make a few remarks about Renie’s baseball career.
The special day for Martin is the idea of several Dover businessmen, including chairman Andy Foltz, and the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce. The committee consists of Foltz, Bob Maftzinger and Ray Book III, two former high school teammates of Martin; Bill Satterfield, news director at radio station WKEN; Paul Morris and Jack Richter, a Dover City councilman. Pat knight of Dover will serve as the master of ceremonies and Pat Lynn, Dover High principal, is the parade chairman.
“I think this is all great,” said Reed, a former standout pitcher for Parkway in the Delaware Semi-Pro League. “Renie has brought Dover as much national recognition as anyone in a long time. It may never happen again and I think he deserves to be recognized. Renie worked hard to get where he is and it’s nice the community is going to recognize him.”
“Renie is a good, clean-cut kid and I’m glad we could do something for him,” said Knight. “He did a good job.”