Once the Brewers bypassed Dale Sveum in their hunt for a new manager, they made it clear that they are looking for someone with major-league experience and a record of success.

Given the current state of the club, which snapped a 26-year playoff drought earlier this month, it would help if some of the candidate's success came during post-season play. It would also help if the next manager has a feel for the Brewers' strengths and weaknesses, as well as knowledge about other teams in the division and the National League.

Considering that media relations is a huge part of the modern manager's daily life, and knowing that many fans soured on Ned Yost because of the way he handled post-game press conferences, it seems plausible hat the Brewers will look for someone who is accomplished in that department, too.

In a nutshell, the list of job requirements includes:

• Experience managing a big-league team
• Experience and / or success in the post-season
• Knowledge of the Brewers and their key rivals
• A polished presence in front of TV cameras

Based on those parameters, the Brewers can wrap up their search and start thinking about the best time to schedule a press conference during the Packers bye week:

Bob Brenly is the guy.

Brenly, currently employed as an analyst on Cubs television broadcasts, managed in Arizona for three seasons between 2001 and 2004 and guided the Diamondbacks to a World Series title in his first year.

Of the winning managers in the last 19 World Series, only three are not currently managing in the majors. Jack McKeon (Florida, 2003) and Tom Kelly (Minnesota, 1991) retired. Brenly is the other.

In Brenly's second year, the D-Backs posted 98 victories and won a division title in his second season, went 84-78 in his third season and were 29-50 when he was fired in 2004.

In four seasons as an announcer for the Cubs, Brenly has developed an intimate knowledge of the Brewers' chief geographical rival and one of the tougher clubs in the division. He's seen more games among division games than anybody else the Brewers will consider has.

As for dealing with the media, Brenly is one of the best. He preceded his stint with the Cubs with a few years doing national games for Fox. Although he signed a four-year, $3.5 million contract extension with the Cubs last month, Brenly has indicated that he would like to manage again.

Add up all those factors and it's a slam-dunk, right?

Well, maybe not.

What makes baseball fascinating is that things that seem logical and obvious often blow up in your face. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who will make the decision in tandem with owner Mark Attanasio, has been around long enough to know this and may decide to go in a different direction.

"Some of these names are the people that you've seen talked about and seen in the newspapers," Melvin said during a conference call. "All have been let go of jobs but I've been a big believer that sometimes the second time around people are better. I don't have front-runner. I have talked to a couple of people already."

The thing about candidates with "experience" is that they usually have failed somewhere down the line. (When Joe Torre was hired by the Yankees in the 1990s, a New York tabloid ran a headline declaring him "Clueless Joe.")

There were questions in Arizona about Brenly's in-game strategies, but that comes with the territory. There were whispers that he was blessed with a veteran roster and two Hall of Fame-caliber starting pitchers (Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling), but that wasn't his fault.

Brenly seems to be a solid, "safe" choice. The players would like him. The media would like him. But, those things don't win ballgames and they don't form a strong foundation for a managerial search.

When Melvin conducted his first managerial search after the 2002 season, Oakland bench coach Ken Macha was his first choice. Macha remained in Oakland, took over for Art Howe and guided the A's to two division titles. In four seasons, his victory totals were 96, 91, 88 and 93.

Macha was bounced in part because the A's didn't win in the playoffs and many players found him cold, aloof and clueless. Some in the media assumed that general manager Billy Beane called many of the shots and that Macha, like Brenly in Arizona, had been blessed with outstanding starting pitching.

The other "experienced" candidates also have flaws. Willie Randolph, who probably should have been given the Brewers' job instead of Davey Lopes in 2000, flamed out in New York. Buck Showalter, who was Melvin's minor-league teammate, wore out welcomes in New York, Arizona and Texas and developed a reputation (deserved or not) as a control freak that eventually alienated his players. Bobby Valentine is one of the smartest managers you'll meet, but he has been in Japan for several years and isn't considered a front-line candidate at this point.

Then there are "nice guys" like Jim Tracy and Jerry Narron, who haven't encountered great success in previous stops. Then again, Terry Francona who had four losing seasons in Philadelphia before leading Boston to a pair of championships.

For most of their history, the Brewers hired managers because they were in a losing rut and needed to create buzz among fans.

The new manager, usually one without a lot of experience, was placed on the cover of the media guide. Well, they are beyond that stage now. The Brewers are coming off their most successful season since 1992. They have all-star caliber players to market. The manager they hire should be a guy who can come in and keep things pushing forward instead of backward. This is not a rebuilding job. They don't need a miracle worker; just a steady hand at the controls.

Brenly could be that guy. Then again, so could Macha. Sveum might have been as well.

The only way we'll know if they've made the right choice is if the man they choose ends up winning games and pushing them farther than they went this season.