[ifspuds]

Pirates Coaching Staff Shuffled
by Lang Thomason
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Success, it seems, makes other teams take a second look and wonder if they can catch a bit of that lightning in a bottle. After being seriously considered for the Pirates managerial job that went instead to Vic Gorin, Pirates pitching coach Bob Bussman has apparently been offered the manager's job with the Minnesota Twins. The Twins recently lost manager Foster Hempkins to a sudden heart attack, the third manager in the past year to pass away unexpectedly. Bussman, hired by the Pirates prior to the 1962 season, was known to be looking toward a manager's position, and the team has allowed him to interview -- ultimately unsuccessfully -- for positions in past seasons. In addition, long-time Pirates outfielder and bench coach Cecil Reed has decided to retire and return to his home in Canada, meaning the team will be seeking to replace two well-respected coaches in the offseason.

General manager George Baldwin would not comment specifically on Bussman's status with the team, but had words of praise for both men when reached for comment. "I think a great deal of our team's recent success can be attributed to both Bob and Cecil. Both men are no-nonsense, hard-working individuals who refuse to accept complacency. I know Cecil has been thinking about retiring for a couple of seasons, but we're very glad he decided to stay and make Vic (Gorin, Pirates manager) at home on the Pirates bench. And I have always maintained that Bob Bussman will make an excellent manager if given the opportunity."

Reed's bench coach position has been offered to former Cardinal and Pirate catcher Chris Proverbs, currently managing at single-A for the Atlanta Braves organization. His ties to both organizations makes him a good fit with Vic Gorin, and he's known to Pirates fans for some late-inning heroics in the pennant race of 1953. He is considered to be a fine strategist and a future manager by some.

If Bussman does indeed leave the organization, some have speculated that the Pirates will offer the pitching coach position to Bourbon Allen, recently resigned from the same position with the Mets. Allen, 66, tendered his resignation after long-time colleague George "The General" Ward retired, but many expect Allen to stay in the game if offered the right position. The defending World Series champs might be just what the Hall of Fame hurler is looking for. It's widely expected that the organization is grooming AAA manager Russell Toledo for a future pitching coach position, but Toledo has already stated that he would prefer to remain at AAA for another few seasons. Under the circumstances, a man with more experience would almost certainly fit the bill better.

The remainder of the Pirates coaching staff remains intact under third year manager Vic Gorin and will go into the 1967 season hoping to build on the success that has so many people interested in the team for the first time in years.