When the Cincinnati Reds parted ways with David Bell just a week before the end of the 2024 season, many fans speculated that Barry Larkin could be the team’s next manager. With strong connections to both the organization and the local community, Larkin, though lacking big-league managerial experience, had previously managed Team Brazil in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
As it turns out, Larkin was indeed considered for the position after Bell’s departure last fall. During a recent appearance on the Dayton Dragons’ radio broadcast, the Hall of Famer shared that Reds’ GM Nick Krall, along with Bob and Phil Castellini, had reached out to him about taking over as manager.
“They asked me. They asked me if I was interested in being the manager, and I told them no early,” Larkin said. He went on to talk about his family and other commitments being the chief reasons why he turned down the opportunity. After Larkin refused, the Reds turned their attention to Terry Francona, and eventually made the future Hall of Famer the team’s new skipper.
Barry Larkin made a surprising decision that will have Reds fans completely divided
Beyond family commitments and other endeavors, Larkin sounded quite content being more of an ambassador for the organization rather than someone who’s part of the day-to-day operation.
“I don’t have any aspirations of being a manager,” Larkin said. “But I certainly have aspirations of helping that manager. And hopefully helping this manager in some player development win a World Series.”
Larkin, once beloved as a player, has become a somewhat controversial figure since joining the Reds’ broadcast team in 2021. His focus on baseball fundamentals and traditional, old-school methods has earned him a loyal following among some fans. However, others in Reds Country see his views as outdated and disconnected from the evolving landscape of modern baseball.
This divide has led to mixed reactions about the possibility of Larkin becoming the team’s manager. While some would be thrilled to see the 12-time All-Star in the dugout, others might be alarmed at the thought of him leading the team.
Larkin hasn’t ruled out the idea of managing the Reds someday, although he emphasized that it’s not something he wants to pursue right now. He shared, “Would I ever want to do it? I don’t know. I know I don’t want to do it now\…But I do have a great relationship with the players. And I love the fact that they’ve accepted me and allowed me to come and be part of their development.”
Meanwhile, Terry Francona, who signed a four-year deal with the Reds this past offseason, is still at the helm, but at 66, questions about how long he’ll remain in charge are inevitable. Much of his future with the team may hinge on how competitive the Reds become in the coming seasons. If Francona’s first year with the team is any indication, he could be around for longer than fans might expect.
Leave a Reply