You ready? Here’s three names to be the next US Ryder Cup Captain:

- Matt Thurmond

- Jay Seawell

- John Fields

Where’s Tiger? Matt Kuchar? I know, I know. Who are these geezers? You’re looking (in order) at the Head Ball Coaches of Arizona State, Alabama, and the University of Texas. That’s right. Three legendary names in college golf. But how will they work with Pros?! They already have. They’ve been pumping PGA players out of their programs for years. More to the point, they understand how to build a golf team. They carry none of the ego baggage that’s plagued US captaincy of the past. Hire a golf coach to be the team’s coach!

I must admit. The All Knowing Phillip Mickelson piqued my interest in this approach. That said, he recommended Coach K might be the man to rally the troops. SHANK. But his principle isn’t wrong. Coach K had no professional experience before taking over USA Basketball and delivering gold medals. I don’t see why any of the names above wouldn’t be up to the challenge. Give a try, and if it falls flat, then we can give Kuchar his shot.

It’s Coach Day. I made my debut last Sunday on the backfields of Santa Barbara Pony League Shetland Division. Grounders. Rollin grounders to 4yr olds. Gotta start somewhere. But now I’m qualified to write this piece.

Watch any broadcast and you’ll see an inordinate amount of face time of the Manager. I feel for these men. They’re in for a rollercoaster this month. Let’s check-in with who’s sweating the most.

Flame Seat: Aaron Boone (Yankees), Rob Thomson (Phillies)

It’s put-up or shut-up time for these two. Boone’s curse is less that the Yankees continue to underwhelm, but more how they underwhelm. A sloppy brand of baseball only rescued by the game’s best hitter. Boone’s talent is an unwavering ability to eat shit from the media and protect his bosses. That’s good! For some reason, GM Brian Cashman seems to have more staying power and at this point, anything less than a World Series won’t satisfy the higher-ups.

Thomson is in a similar position, but radically more respected within his locker room. Unfortunately, a few too many disappointing Octobers have left Philly fans wondering if someone else can get more from a veteran, expensive roster.

Economy Class: John Schneider (Blue Jays), Mike Shildt (Padres)

Schneider led the Jays to their first division title in a decade. He’s built an identity for the team and got them to the playoffs. It’s his role now to prove they belong. Are they ascending or was this a flash in the pan? Schneider needs to show management that win or lose the arrow in Toronto is pointed up.

Shildt is an edgy character that has clearly embraced the strategic bent of October Bullpen. Does that mean he can squeeze enough runs from his offense? I don’t know. He shouldn’t be on this list, but the Padres haven’t cashed in the Vibes their roster warrants. No longer the underdog, San Diego fans want progress in the form of at least a Championship Series appearance

Business Class: Stephen Voight (Guardians), Craig Counsell (Cubs), AJ Hinch (Tigers), Alex Cora (Red Sox)

Get comfy boys. You did it. You’re flying in style whether you raise the trophy or not. These names are too respected to feel any heat on their seat and they have command of their locker rooms.

PJ: Dave Roberts (Dodgers)

Oh how far you’ve come my friend. I don’t know if Roberts is guaranteed to coach next season only because he’s been under the microscope for so long that he probably deserves a break. At this point, only a generational breakdown in bullpen strategy could force Roberts out, but honestly we’ve seen that before and he’s still stuck around.

When you’re favorite manager pulls his starter pre-maturely, if the bullpen implodes, if the bats go silent, just remember: you could be in that manager seat. You could feel the weight of a city on your shoulders. And honestly, you could probably do just as good of a job.