1.   And from the first round of interviews, bench coach Jim Tracy and hitting coach Rick Down remain the favorites, sources said.

2.   Russell, now a bench coach for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, flipped the ball around like he was a child with a new toy.

3.   So has bench coach Grady Little.

4.   The Los Angeles Dodgers as of Monday have trimmed their managerial search to a pair of candidates -- bench coach Jim Tracy and hitting coach Rick Down.

5.   Watching him were Russell, Dodgers scouting director Terry Reynolds, Dodgers bench coach Mike Scioscia and Dodgers bullpen coach Mark Cresse, his father....

6.   However, bench coach Bill Russell, bullpen coach Orlando Gomez and hitting coach Leon Roberts were fired.

7.   Others interviewed included Orioles hitting coach Rick Down, Indians scout Ted Simmons, Tigers bench coach Larry Parrish and Marlins bench coach Jerry Manuel.

8.   The Blue Jays also interviewed former Blue Jays players Ernie Whitt and Willie Upshaw, Milwaukee bench coach Jerry Royster and former Kansas City Royals manager Hal McRae.

9.   Van Gaal, took the bench to coach his side Wednesday but there was no shaking of hands between him and Cruyff.