Andy Van Slyke--Hitting Coach Candidate

[bmfc1]

Tweets tell us that Andy Van Slyke interviewed to be the Mets Hitting Coach. I hated that SOB. I know that Hitting Coach is one step up from 1B Coach in terms of relevance but it's would suck to see him in a Met uni.

[Benjamin Grimm]

As far as I'm concerned, if he's good at what he does, then he's more than welcome.

[metirish]

As wholesome as apple pie





I'm sure MGIM has interviewed him in the past.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: As far as I'm concerned, if he's good at what he does, then he's more than welcome.

Good enough for Leyland is good enough for me

[TransMonk]

metirish wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: As far as I'm concerned, if he's good at what he does, then he's more than welcome. Good enough for Leyland is good enough for me

Yup to both of these.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I think they're relevant.

My concern is the same one I had with Johnson, that in most years, he couldn't figure lefties out, suggesting to me there wasn't a whole lot of successful problem solving in his history.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

He's definitely not an intellectual, from what I've gleaned. Not that I doubt he'd be dedicated and earnest and everything.

[metirish]

This blog makes a comment about his other coaching duties with the Tigers after he was not retained

http://www.blessyouboys.com/2009/10/9/1078535/andy-van-slyke-wont-return-next

[Frayed Knot]

A few Van Slyke observations:

- I never found him particularly hate-worthy. Kinda liked watching him play actually.

- Had a friend who knew him casually growing up (near Utica). Said he wasn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier and was a hot-dog to boot when he played American Legion ball against him -- not that either of those comments are all that surprising when describing a teenager who would eventually go on to play pro sports. My buddy tried to get his attention during warmups of a game at Shea once but AVS wasn't being too cooperative and I'm not sure he recognized him.

- Admitted to being a dyslexic which when either undiagnosed or belatedly diagnosed when he was a kid. Perhaps that explains part of the above.

- Drew some negative publicity a while back when he talked about how he'd never take a FA contract to San Francisco on account of the "lifestyle" that was not only tolerated but promoted in that city. Needless to say that didn't go over great with some gay & civil rights groups.

- Bonds hated his guts (so he's got that going for him) and blamed the black/white thing for why Slick was so popular while he himself was not. Yeah Barry, that was it.

[TransMonk]

Per Pikipedia:

During the 1991 Gulf War, when the MLB decreed all players would wear both the Canadian and U.S. flags on their batting helmets as a patriotic gesture, Van Slyke scraped the Maple Leaf off his helmet because, in his words "Canada is a pacifist, socialist country."

[metirish]

Per Pikipedia: During the 1991 Gulf War, when the MLB decreed all players would wear both the Canadian and U.S. flags on their batting helmets as a patriotic gesture, Van Slyke scraped the Maple Leaf off his helmet because, in his words "Canada is a pacifist, socialist country."

And this is who they hire to coach Jason Bay.......

Bring in Toby Keith while your at it Sandy

[A Boy Named Seo]

Handsome Kev, thinking he can keep the lid on his hot exclusive til tonight:

KBurkhardtSNY Kevin Burkhardt I'm hearing an interesting name might be in the mix for the Mets coaching staff. Find out who on Hot Stove tonight. 7pm on SNY. #Mets 54 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[metirish]

Handsome Kev, thinking he can keep the lid on his hot exclusive til tonight: KBurkhardtSNY Kevin Burkhardt I'm hearing an interesting name might be in the mix for the Mets coaching staff. Find out who on Hot Stove tonight. 7pm on SNY. #Mets 54 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

That's just so funny..what a tool.....I urge you all to avoid everything until tonight

[Theoldmole]

He'd be a good fit for Bobby V.

[TransMonk]

Pee hands for first base coach?

[MFS62]

I used many different words to describe Andy when he was playing against the Mets.
Funny, "coach" was never one of them.

Later