Maddux withdraws as Sox candidate, cites family reasons

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The field of candidates for the Red Sox managerial opening was reduced by one Monday afternoon when Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux withdrew from consideration.

Maddux had been scheduled to be in Tuesday for a day-long interview at Fenway Park. He did not, however, remove himself from the Cubs' managerial search and is still scheduled to interview with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.

According to an industry source with knowledge of the situation, Maddux pulled himself out of the running because of "family considerations," having decided that the "timing wasn't right," for his family to move from Texas to Boston.

Indeed, Maddux, in a statement released by the Rangers early Monday evening, admitted as much:

"I could give more reasons why an opportunity like this should be taken rather than not, but the reason for withdrawing my name from consideration comes down to a family decision. My wife and two daughters are together in the same state for the first time in three years and words cannot describe my happiness. The game of baseball has many sacrifices but being apart from family is the toughest. I feel there is too much distance between the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Boston to see my family as much as Id enjoy."

Maddux is one of the game's highest-paid pitching coaches and is a personal favorite of Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan, who lured him away from the Milwaukee Brewers to take over as pitching coach of the Rangers prior to the 2009 season. Maddux had previously served as the pitching coach for Round Rock, then the Double A affiliate for the Houston Astros, owned by Ryan.

Under Maddux, the Rangers have won the last two American League pennants.

Maddux was to be the third person to interview for the Red Sox' managerial vacancy. Last week, Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum interviewed for the position.

Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. is scheduled to be interviewed Wednesday.

A baseball source indicated Monday that the Red Sox were reviewing other candidates to be interviewed and that an announcement regarding future interviews would be made soon.

Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Tim Wallach and Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Dave Martinez were said to be on the Red Sox' original list of candidates, though neither has been been yet scheduled for an interview.

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