MLB

O’Neill ‘not disappointed’ over Reds job

BOSTON — Paul O’Neill said he never really got beyond the intrigued stage when it came to the Reds managerial opening, which was filled when the organization opted to elevate piching coach Bryan Price to replace Dusty Baker.

O’Neill has a relationship with Reds owner Bob Castellini, which has kept him tied to his original organization. But he never discussed the managerial job with general manager Walt Jocketty, who was empowered to do the search.

When Baker was fired, O’Neill surfaced as a long-shot candidate and admitted being intrigued.

“I am not disappointed at all,” said O’Neill, a four-time World Series winner with the Yankees. “My best years playing and not playing have been in New York, and I already have my schedule [as a broadcaster with YES] for next year and couldn’t be happier.

“When this came to me, yes, I was intrigued. It was something to think about. But YES has been great to me.”

O’Neill was a Reds fan, born and raised in Columbus, who has lived in the Cincinnati suburbs since his playing days (1985-92) for the franchise. It was those ties that made this particular job interesting to him.

But his lack of experience as even a coach certainly did not help his candidacy.

When I asked if he were interested in being considered for Price’s staff as a way to determine whether he likes the daily grind of being in uniform and give him experience to help any future candidacy, O’Neill said, “You have to understand that coaching takes up more time than managing. Managing was interesting because you are in charge of the wins and losses.

“If you are going to be a coach, you should probably do that right away after you retire. For me, I am happy doing just what I am doing now.”