11/15 Sandberg to Phillies

Ryne Sandberg has come full circle. The Phillies announced Monday they’ve hired Sandberg as their Triple-A manager, and he is back with the organization where he started. He’ll now be skipper of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. It’ll be his fifth year managing in the Minors after four seasons in the Cubs system. Sandberg was named Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year after leading the Triple-A Iowa Cubs to an 82-62 record. He interviewed for the Cubs managerial opening but GM Jim Hendry picked Mike Quade after he led the team to a 24-13 record in the final six weeks. The Phillies drafted Sandberg in 1978, and he was traded to the Cubs in 1981.

“I’m happy for him and applaud him for wanting to pursue his goal,” said Hendry, who was in Orlando, Fla., for the GM meetings.

– Carrie Muskat