I couldn’t believe my luck when the Red Sox said they wanted me to act as a stand-in while they rehearsed for their upcoming managerial interviews. I felt like Senator John Kerry helping President Barack Obama prepare for the first presidential debate.

After firing two managers in two years and missing the playoffs the last three, general manager Ben Cherington and president/CEO Larry Lucchino know that applicants for the post — such as Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach and former major league catcher and current Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus — will be quizzing them about the organization as much as the Sox brass will be grilling managerial candidates.