Add new comment

Hey Doc!
I finally got around to making an account over here.  ;)  Here is what I had to say over at Mariner Central regarding the M's manager search ...
The greatest manager in the history of this franchise is Lou Piniella. Ever since Piniella stepped down after the 2002 season, it's like the organization has said to themselves that never again are they going to have a manager who will dare to challenge/question them. Lou most certainly had his flaws, but there was one thing you could definitely say about him -- he was a winner. He expected to win and demanded excellence from everyone around him (players, staff, GM, Front Office, etc.) I would argue that the central reason that the Mariners won and experienced the success they did was BECAUSE of Piniella. Before he arrived in Seattle in 1993, the Mariners had a culture of losing. He turned that around -- he created a culture of winning. No one questioned that this was Lou's team. It was his way or the highway -- and that's precisely the kind of power and respect that a manager should have. And I would argue that this exactly the kind of manager that this club needs again to get back on the winning track.
That's why I believe that at this juncture, bringing in an experienced, in charge, and fire in the pants kind of manager who wants to win and won't accept any excuses is exactly what this team needs right now. For my money, (if I'm the one making the decision -- which I'm not) the guy out there right now who best fits that mold -- is Bobby Valentine.  Of all the candidates out there ... his resume is the most impressive and IMO lines up perfectly with what this team needs.  Not only is he cut from the same cloth as Piniella ... but his managerial experience is second to none.  He not only has experience managing in a World Series ... but also experience managing in Japan, which makes him the perfect candidate not only to get the most out of Ichiro, but also to potentially attract other Japanese players as well.  With Yamauchi as majority owner, it makes too much sense not to happen.  That said, the Front Office may ultimately decide it doesn't want the headache of being harangued for perceptions of not wanting to give it their all ... or Valentine may decide he's more interested in the Marlins job.
I don't know if they'll ultimately bring Valentine in or not, but IMO this organization needs to bring in that type of guy ... to give him the power manage the clubhouse ... and to have his back when he makes a tough call. The Figgins incident this last year and the way the Front Office handled the situation was a HUGE red flag. That kind of thing CANNOT ever be allowed again. The successful teams out there all have managers that they both: 1) Empower and 2) Stick with through thick and thin. Successful and stable teams do not change managers as often as they change socks.
If during this offseason this club goes out and hires another political-type, feel good manager and fails to give him power ... the Mariners will continue to struggle. IMO, this particular hire -- who they ultimately decide to bring in -- is very symbolic and will say a lot about just how much the leadership of this club has (or has not) changed.  You would think with as many managers as the M's have had since Piniella left that they would have learned their lesson. We'll see if they really have.   
MA