Bob Melvin

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Hey, he's one of two finalists, he probably deserves his own thread.

As I explain here ( http://mbtn.net/what-about-bob), he's trailing the field with me because I can't distinguish him from Doug Melvin, Bob Brenly, Bruce Bochy or Bruce Botche. But finding out more hasn't turned me off more, that's good I suppose. My confusion between he and Brenly (his boss in '01 with the d-bags) even fouled up the Manager Scorecard.

Both of his firings left him with fans, and his age, modest experience and overall lack of going-in brand equity could be an advantage if you, like Sandy Alderson, had a longer term perspective in mind and believed in the guy.

From an article following his whacking by the Mariners in 2004:

"I've been a broadcaster, and there are a lot of things that come to mind that you question (about managers)," he said not too long ago. "But you know what? The manager is the only one to know the temperature of his own team. "There is never one clear-cut move to make. There are always options. And a lot of times when it seems like the clear-cut thing to do doesn't work, it doesn't mean it was the wrong thing to do."

...

His players like Melvin, although some would prefer to see him be more in your face. "Sometimes he needs a Tyson punch," one said recently. But Melvin has been tough in different ways. He's deflected criticism from his players time and again this year. When players have missed signs, he hasn't gone to the media to point fingers. He's been ejected a handful of times and hasn't backed off from umpires. He's bit his tongue publicly when he's had a difference with a player. He's had his moments when he hasn't wanted to talk, but he's basically been a standup guy for a team that needs that, given the scope of the Mariners' collapse and the mass turnover of the roster.

[G-Fafif]

When Jerry was on the hot seat last season, Melvin was widely considered the default interim option, with the concomitant implication being why not wait out the season so we can get someone more exciting than Bob Melvin. Then the front office is made over and getting closer, perhaps, is Bob Melvin.

I don't need to have my fire stoked by shiny objects, but geez these are fucking depressing reported managerial finalists.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

G-Fafif wrote: . I don't need to have my fire stoked by shiny objects, but geez these are fucking depressing reported managerial finalists.

Some folks here are gonna think I have no credibility by saying this (well, others have already reached that conclusion anyways) but given the choice of Melvin, Collins and the Genius, I'd take the Genius.


(....and still don't believe I typed that).

[metirish]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Hey, he's one of two finalists, he probably deserves his own thread. As I explain here ( http://mbtn.net/what-about-bob), he's trailing the field with me because I can't distinguish him from Doug Melvin, Bob Brenly, Bruce Bochy or Bruce Botche. But finding out more hasn't turned me off more, that's good I suppose. My confusion between he and Brenly (his boss in '01 with the d-bags) even fouled up the Manager Scorecard.

That's brilliant and so true.

[Gwreck]

G-Fafif wrote: I don't need to have my fire stoked by shiny objects, but geez these are fucking depressing reported managerial finalists.

Problem is -- like Lunchbucket suggested in his article -- I don't see anyone being satisfied if it's not Valentine or Backman.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Snooze article today suggests Melvin is likely to wind up in the Mets employ no matter what: He'd likely be selected as Bench Coach for whoever is manager if not named manager himself.

Melvin is also close to Chip Hale, they were co-workers in Arizona.

Plus, daughter-actress.

[duan]

y'know something
I really don't like managers who give out about their players to the media.

[Theoldmole]

[Vic Sage]

beware "exciting" managers...

Sandy, pick the boringest guy you can find to keep the egos in check and everyone pulling in the right direction, puts the stoplight up on low % basestealers and threaten his life if he bunts anyone but the pitcher.

Then get a SPer or 2, and lets get started.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Vic Sage wrote: beware "exciting" managers... Sandy, pick the boringest guy you can find to keep the egos in check and everyone pulling in the right direction, puts the stoplight up on low % basestealers and threaten his life if he bunts anyone but the pitcher.

This. And that's Melvin.

We've had our "rock star" moment of the offseason, and then had two others join him the next week. Give me the dull guy in the dugout.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm having trouble discerning Melvin's tendencies as a manager, particularly pitching/bullpen-wise. What do you look for?

His teams have been all over the pythagoreus curve, from +11 to -11 I believe.

His Dbaggs teams sac-bunted at or below average in the NL in each of his years.

[metirish]

In the minds eye I picture Melvin standing erect , arms crossed looking thoughtful.....with a smile no less.....oh dear.