Guessing the preferred drinks of big league managers - MLB

It’s tough to say for sure from just looking at a cellphone picture, but I’m going to guess that Jim Riggleman was downing Jack and Cokes while “solving the world’s problems” with “some beautiful young ladies” last night.

He seems like a Jack and Coke kind of guy, although probably Diet Coke because he has to keep The Gun Show open at age 58.

All of which got me thinking about the preferred drinks of other managers. For instance, I’d peg Twins manager Ron Gardenhire as a Budweiser guy.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I’m mostly a beer or vodka guy, with “whatever else there is” coming in a close third. And we know Calcaterra is hooked up to a bourbon drip 24-7.)

I asked for suggestions on Twitter and they’ve been rolling in by the dozens with the hashtag #ManagerDrinks, so here are some of my favorites so far …

Jack McKeon: Metamucil, Prune Juice

Joe Maddon: Wine (for the sophistication), Pabst Blue Ribbon (for the hipster-ness)

Charlie Manuel: Chocolate Milk

Ozzie Guillen: Tequila, Four Locko, Wine (because he’s a romantic)

Bob Melvin: Whatever Billy Beane is having

Kirk Gibson: Whiskey and Tabasco Sauce

Bud Black: White Russian

Jim Leyland: Old Fashioned

Terry Collins: Tom Collins

Tony La Russa: Something with an umbrella

Don Mattingly: Jeremiah Weed

Joe Girardi: Apple Juice

Terry Francona: Hot Toddy

Clint Hurdle: Arnold Palmer

Ned Yost: Box of Wine

I’m fairly certain we could entertainment ourselves with this for the afternoon and it’s Friday, so why not …

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to rejoin the rotation at Cleveland after missing nearly 14 months because of Tommy John surgery.

The Rays’ Opening Day starter last year hasn’t pitched this season after undergoing the procedure on Aug. 4, 2021.

“I think we’re pretty confident he’ll be starting for us,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said before the game with Toronto. “This is the first time he’s thrown pain-free in quite some time, so he’s encouraged by it.”

The 6-foot-8 right-hander went 5-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 14 starts last year and is a key addition as the Rays near a wild-card spot.

“Compared to the past, like, three years it feels way better as far as postday and the week leading into starts and stuff,” Glasnow said. “It’s good to have an UCL, you know.”

Cash said Glasnow will throw around 45 pitches in his initial outing, which should allow him to go two or three innings.

“Two innings of Glasnow is still a huge plus for our team,” Cash said. “Like to get three innings. If we do, great. If we don’t, that’s fine, too.”

Glasnow allowed one run, one hit, four walks and had 14 strikeouts over seven innings in four starts with Triple-A Durham.

“I’m really excited,” Glasnow said. “I’m approaching it like normal, staying on routine. Feels normal.”

Glasnow signed a two-year, $30.35 million contract that will delay the start of his free agency by one year last month. He’s making $5.1 million this year and will get $5.35 million next season and $25 million in 2024, which is the first year he would have been eligible for free agency.