Four coaches have been hired and not one has managed in the Major Leagues. Sigh...
When Manny Acta became the 40th skipper in Indians history, most fans were upset at what was perceived as a bargain hire. While a dynamic personality like Bobby Valentine would have pleased the masses, I felt building a diverse staff in terms of experience and background was important. Thus, I wanted Acta and even dedicated a Rosen’s Rumblings podcast to the subject, prior to the hire.
While I still like the hire, I’m frustrated with the coaching staff that has been compiled thus far. Yesterday, the Indians added Tim Tolman (bench), Steve Smith (third base/infield) and Scott Radinsky (bullpen) to go along with Tim Belcher, (pitching) who was hired last week.
Why exactly did the Indians fail to hire a key coach without previous major league managerial experience, again? Acta needs a reliable baseball man who has experienced some sort of success in baseball to help him out and to bring credibility to his coaching staff. It’s unfair to assume these men won’t do a terrific job but it is bothersome that diversity in experience and background was not taken into account. Here are some tidbits worth pondering about four of Acta’s key coaches:
- Among the four hires, only one (Radinsky) was on a coaching staff last season.
- Belcher and Tolman spent last season in front-office type positions while Smith sat the season out.
- Only Tolman and Smith have any experience on big league staffs and Tolman’s lone position on a major league bench was two seasons with Acta in Washington.
- Eric Wedge also had staffs compiled without major league managerial experience…
That last point demands that this coaching staff be judged very quickly this season, whether that seems fair or not. General Manager Mark Shapiro may feel more comfortable hiring coaches that he has worked with in the front office at one time or another but it appears that he has not learned from the past. With Joe Nunnally likely to get promoted from Columbus as the new hitting instructor, the “strategy” has apparently not changed at the Indians Executive Offices.
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I agree. If there ever was a list of no-name, nondescript coaches this is it. Was it just money, or a total lack of imagination by Acta and the front office. Either way, I don’t think this is a very good sign for both the short and long range futures of the Tribe.
Another stupid move by theGM. Where in the world are his brains? I guess sitting on them while watching the Yankees win the World Series has dulled them. This team doesn,t have a chance as long as he is GM. Come on Dolans wake up and get with it,dump this guy and help the team.
I don’t understand why everyone is getting concerned about the 2010 season?!? You should be voicing your displeasure about the impending 2012 firesale involving Grady, Shin Soo Choo and Asdrubal. The good news it that by 2015, all three of them will have won World Series titles as members of whatever teams we trade them to…