THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9411300571
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Larry Bowa has removed himself from consideration to manage the Norfolk Tides, leaving Toby Harrah as the apparent favorite for the job.
Bowa, the Philadelphia Phillies' third base coach and a good friend of New York Mets manager Dallas Green, pulled out after discussing money with the Mets.
Bowa said in an interview Tuesday that he was told the job would pay less than the $65,000 Bobby Valentine made as the Tides' manager last season.
``That's way too low,'' said Bowa, who noted last week that, if he managed in the minors, he would forfeit $70,000 or more in licensing money he receives annually as a Phillies coach. The former major league shortstop managed the San Diego Padres from 1987 to May 1988.
Bowa had Green's backing but said, ``It doesn't matter when it comes to the money part of it.''
Harrah, meanwhile, said he is scheduled to fly to New York on Friday to meet with Mets executives.
``That's encouraging,'' Harrah said. ``I'm very excited about it.''
Harrah lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and managed the Texas Rangers for the second half of the 1992 season. A 17-year major leaguer, he has been a minor league hitting instructor for the Rangers the past two seasons. He managed in Triple-A Oklahoma City in 1987 and '88.
Gary Allenson, a coach with the Boston Red Sox the past three seasons, interviewed but said Phillips told him Monday that he will not get the job.
``They're looking for somebody with some major league experience,'' said Allenson, who spent last week at his in-laws' house in Virginia Beach. ``I assume that's going to be Toby Harrah.''
Another candidate, Mets Double-A manager John Tamargo, said he expects to hear a decision by Friday. He was interviewed for the Tides' job two months ago, however, and did not sound optimistic when reached Tuesday.
``In Triple-A sometimes you look for a name,'' said Tamargo, a Mets minor league coach since 1982. ``I'd be disappointed if I don't get it. I deserve it. I've done everything the organization has asked for 12 years. I'm ready for it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Larry Bowa's withdrawal leaves ex-Rangers boss Toby Harrah, above,
as heir apparent.
by CNB