MetalSeadramons Gemach » batters before San Diego catcher Rene Rivera,

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. didnt see a reason to wait until the off-season to explore other possibilities. The Philadelphia Phillies removed the interim tag from Ryne Sandberg, signing him Sunday to manage the next three years. "I think this is the right person to take us forward," Amaro explained on the decision not to wait. "I know his philosophy on the importance of cohesiveness throughout the organization, and thats exactly what were looking for. I know he understands the importance of player development and scouting, hes got an idea and a vision of whats necessary to move this organization forward." Sandberg had been serving as interim manager since the Phillies fired Charlie Manuel on Aug. 16. He entered the season as the Phillies third-base coach after managing the teams Triple-A Lehigh Valley club for two years previously. The move was not a surprise, but Sandberg expressed his relief that it finally became official. "I think theres been a very large weight lifted off of me," Sandberg said. "Im still focused on the last eight games -- still focused on todays game to tell you the truth -- but Im looking forward to not only the eight games left but to 2014 and getting the wheels turning in that direction." Before joining the Phillies organization, Sandberg managed in the Chicago Cubs minor-league system for four years. As a player, Sandberg spent 15 of 16 major-league seasons with the Cubs. He left the organization in 2010 shortly after Chicago named Mike Quade its manager to join the Phillies, the team that originally drafted him and ultimately traded him to the Cubs in 1982. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, Sandberg hopes to overcome the notion that Hall of Fame players cant make good managers. "I dont know too many Hall of Famers who went to the minor leagues for six years to work their way up," Sandberg said. "I thought it was necessary. It was also the only job that was offered at the time -- that had something to do with it. As it turns out, it was the right path." The new skipper also believes he can succeed because hes a great communicator. "Communication is one of my strengths, which is ironic because as a player I think I wasnt strong at all at communicating. I was focused on catching the ball and hitting it, and it kind of stopped there," Sandberg said. "That was all part of going to the minor leagues and aging a little bit and maturing. "And I think raising five kids in the house, all teenagers at once, I think the communication skills really developed then too, and its continued." Since Sandberg took over in mid-August, the Phillies have gone 18-16. They were 53-67 at the time he took over the ballclub. "Based on the body of work that he did for us, we had to kind of take that into account," Amaro said. "It was very, very clear to me right from the get-go the way he handled the transition, which was a very difficult period, having to take over for an icon of sorts in Phillies history in Charlie (Manuel). "It was a very difficult circumstance, and he handled it well. He handled the players well and he handled the clubhouse well. I really liked the instincts and how he handled things." Sandberg signed a three-year contract, taking him through 2016 with a club option for 2017. Cheap Wholesale Nike Sb Shoes . -- First baseman Carlos Pena and outfielder Brennan Boesch have signed minor league deals with the Los Angeles Angels. Nike Sb Shoes Australia . -- Its been 21 years since Joe Gibbs Racing celebrated its only Daytona 500 victory. http://www.wholesalenikesbaustralia.com/ . But San Diego had even more trouble against right-hander Tanner Roark, who pitched a three-hitter for the first complete game of his career as the Nationals shut out the Padres 4-0. The 27-year-old set down the first 16 batters before San Diego catcher Rene Rivera, an . Nike Sb Sale . Grilli hasnt pitched since straining his left oblique in late April. Manager Clint Hurdle says the right-hander will make a couple of appearances in middle relief before the team determines whether to return Grilli to the back end of the bullpen. Cheap Nike Sb . "Win basketball games," Collins said. He will get at least a few more chances. Collins played the final minutes of a winning home debut with the Brooklyn Nets, who cooled off the Chicago Bulls with a 96-80 victory Monday night. With just a week left in the regular season, a number of coaches are coaching for their jobs while some have probably already had their fate decided. Names like Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings, Jim Schwartz of the Detrooit Lions, and of course Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins highlight TSN.ddddddddddddcas NFL head coaching hot seat. Go to TSN.ca/NFL to see the full list of coaches on the hot seat and how they got there. ' ' '