Scott Servais’ two seasons in San Francisco were enough to convince him that Dusty Baker would be a terrific fit for the Cubs.
“If there’s an opportunity to hire him, I can’t think of a better guy to bring in,” he said.
The Cubs announced Friday that Servais, who played on the North Side from 1995 through 1998, will rejoin the organization as a roving minor-league catching instructor.
That could be a preview of things to come.
“Down the road [Servais] could be a manager or front-office guy,” general manager Jim Hendry said. “He’s a real student of the game and a class guy. He always had a good way with younger players.”
Hendry has known the 35-year-old Servais since he was 17. Hendry recruited the Wisconsin native to play for him at Creighton University.
“He told me, `You’re going to play 10 to 15 years in the big leagues,'” Servais recalled. “He was right on that. Now I’d like to help him get the Cubs back on the map.”
Servais praised Baker for his motivational skills.
“He has the unique ability to get players to play for him,” Servais said. “You always feel like he’s in your corner. Your everyday guys and starting pitchers will be happy but it can be tough for a manager to rally the troops and get all the bench guys and platoon guys to buy in.”
In the neighborhood
Baker drove straight to South Bend on Friday after landing at O’Hare International Airport on a trip to see Saturday’s Notre Dame game.
And, no, Hendry will not be at the game. He wants to avoid the slightest hint of tampering.
Hendry plans to leave Sunday for Mesa, Ariz., where the Cubs’ organizational meetings will be held next week.
He’ll also watch first baseman Hee Seop Choi play in the Arizona Fall League.
Free-agent talk
Hendry expects catcher Joe Girardi to test the market. The Cubs might try to re-sign him after determining who their manager will be.
Hendry has not contacted the agents for Tom Glavine and Jeff Kent but indicated he might do so later this month.
With the Cubs declining his option for 2003, Jon Lieber officially became a free agent Friday.
Off the list
Fredi Gonzalez, whom Hendry interviewed for the Cubs’ managerial vacancy, will be the Atlanta Braves’ third-base coach next season.
