For now, Hale is managing the possibilities in his head

CHICAGO — DeMarlo Hale stood in the manager’s office, looking as if he belonged. With Red Sox manager Terry Francona under the weather yesterday, Hale took over his duties in addressing the media before last night’s game.It’s a task Hale soon might be doing every day, with his name out there as a potential candidate for any team with a managerial vacancy.“I try not to get too far ahead and having other people’s thoughts of what they’re going to do,’’ said Hale, the Sox bench coach. “If it takes place, and I’m one of the ones that they do consider, I’m looking forward to sitting down and interviewing with them, no doubt. If it doesn’t, I don’t think I can send my résumé out there and say, ‘Here, come to me.’ It doesn’t work like that.“But just let it take its course is basically what I’m saying.’’There could be several openings this offseason, including Hale’s hometown Cubs, along with the Braves, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Marlins, and possibly the Mets and Brewers. Hale interviewed for the Mariners job that went to Don Wakamatsu before the 2009 season, but Wakamatsu was fired midseason this year, so general manager Jack Zduriencik could be interested in Hale again.But Hale has not allowed the possibilities to occupy too much of his time, especially with the Sox not being eliminated from playoff contention until Tuesday night.“My concentration really has been on what was at hand here,’’ Hale said. “We were still fighting, trying to find a way, if somebody slipped, we’re in. I know Tito and the way he approaches things, looking at the lineup and what we’re trying to do. We’re going out here to win baseball games.’’While Hale believed he was ready to manage last offseason, he knows he’s even more prepared now. After working as a first base coach and third base coach, he became bench coach this season to replace Brad Mills, now managing the Astros.Hale has been with the Red Sox since 2006, when he was made third base coach. Before that, he was the Rangers’ first base and outfield coach from 2002-05, and he has continued to tutor outfielders in the Sox organization as well.“I think when you look at my progress from first base coach to third base to bench coach, that’s an indication that there’s confidence that’s been built,’’ Hale said. “I think it’s natural and hopefully other people say the experience that I’ve had at the major league level at these three different positions I was at can only be positive.’’He spent this season in charge of the running game, delving into the details. It was far different from what he did in previous seasons.“When I coached third base, I found myself more on an island,’’ Hale said. “Over the last four years, really [no one] could help me out there. It was my preparation, my decision, game situation. But this year being in the dugout, communication with Tito, John Farrell from the pitching [side], it’s experience. You gain more experience. You see the game from a different view.“So it’s just first-hand experience and I’ve enjoyed it. The results haven’t been where we want it to be — each year we’re expected to qualify, point blank. That’s what it is, we leave spring training with the goal of qualifying for the playoffs, giving ourselves a chance to win the World Series. That didn’t happen.’’But even as the season was disappointing for Hale, there should be better days ahead, whether he returns to the Sox as the bench coach or is managing his own team next season.Mills’s success in Houston could be a boost for Hale.Though the Astros got off to a rough start, Mills has a team picked to finish at the bottom of the National League Central a more-than-respectable 75-83.“I think there’s some positives to that,’’ Hale said. “The success that has been here over the years, you understand winning. You understand what it takes. Hopefully, I’m sure people in that position who make those decisions giving people opportunities look at that and say, ‘He knows what it takes.’“Winning a World Series, that’s the ultimate, and it’s been two here over the last six years. That says something. There’s some things working here, good players, too, but you look at the coaching staff, the accomplishments that take place, that’s positive.’’Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmalieBenjamin.