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Sunday, August 30, 2009

Justice: Bagwell should be Astros’ next manager

Wow…the Miggy Era didn’t last long.

The first thing Drayton McLane ought to do this morning is telephone Jeff Bagwell and ask him to manage the Astros for these final 33 games.

If Bagwell is reluctant, McLane can turn on that Temple charm. The Astros need a makeover, and this is a good place to begin.

...Let’s keep going. Let’s bring in Manny Acta to be the bench coach. He has spent much of his baseball life with this organization, and he tells friends, “My heart is shaped like a star.”

Bagwell simply couldn’t find anyone better to help him get his feet wet, and if Baggy is serious about not managing in 2010, our search for a new guy will begin and end with Acta and Dave Clark.

Bagwell’s first move should be to bench Matsui and insert Edwin Maysonet at second, shift Tejada to third and put Tommy Manzella at shortstop.

Bagwell should summon Brian Bogusevic from Round Rock and have him play every day by rotating among the three outfield spots. J.R. Towles, who is running out of chances, should catch.

Finally, let’s put Felipe Paulino in the rotation with Yorman Bazardo and Bud Norris.

Repoz Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:40 AM | 41 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: astros

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Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

   1. Walt Davis Posted: August 30, 2009 at 07:39 PM (#3309230)
Well, they were pretty successful during the decade or so that he and Biggio were co-player-managers. :-)
   2. OCF Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:09 PM (#3309330)
Walt, I want a second opinion on that. Lisa - are you seeing this?
   3. flournoy Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:29 PM (#3309341)
What I don't like about former stars managing/coaching their former teams is that it usually ends badly, or unceremoniously at best. See Alan Trammell.
   4. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: August 30, 2009 at 11:34 PM (#3309343)
What I don't like about former stars managing/coaching their former teams is that it usually ends badly, or unceremoniously at best. See Alan Trammell.


For another side, see Ozzie Guillen.
   5. baric Posted: August 31, 2009 at 12:13 AM (#3309354)
Does Bagwell have any experience managing a team? Has he expressed a desire to do so?

The difference with Larry Dierker was that his knowledge of the players and the game was well-known by everyone in the Houston area. I don't recall getting the same vibe from Bagwell in his playing days. There is a huge difference between being "respected and well-liked" and "assessing and motivating players." How many first basemen become managers, anyway?
   6. Downtown Bookie Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:12 AM (#3309376)
How many first basemen become managers, anyway?


Gil Hodges was the first name that popped into my mind.

DB
   7. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:17 AM (#3309378)
What I don't like about former stars managing/coaching their former teams is that it usually ends badly, or unceremoniously at best. See Alan Trammell.

I don't know why writers and fans seem to always call for a popular ex-player, usually with no coaching experience, to manage the team. Ryne Sandberg should manage the Cubs. George Brett should manage the Royals. How many times has this worked? Ozzie Guillen at least had a pretty decent coaching resume before he was hired. Pete Rose was a decent manager I suppose. Did Lou Piniella go straight from playing to managing or did he coach some first?

I guess the example I think of most is Magic Johnson - coach the team for 30 some games, then get bored with crappy players and go back to playing golf.

Would there really be a buzz for Bagwell as skipper? How long would that last? A day or two?
   8. Darren Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:28 AM (#3309380)
Doesn't former catcher/2b all-around gritty guy Biggio seem like a better name to pull out of thin air? Or how about that Dierker guy--he won some games.
   9. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:33 AM (#3309383)
I don't know why writers and fans seem to always call for a popular ex-player, usually with no coaching experience, to manage the team. Ryne Sandberg should manage the Cubs. George Brett should manage the Royals. How many times has this worked?


This seems to happen literally about 75% of the time with European soccer teams. And that's a situation where the manager is usually also the person who picks all the players and negotiates with other teams to acquire them. Seems really dumb.
   10. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: August 31, 2009 at 02:07 AM (#3309409)
How many first basemen become managers, anyway?


Gil Hodges was the first name that popped into my mind.


Mickey Vernon preceded Gil by a coupla/three years in D.C.
   11. Dave Spiwak Posted: August 31, 2009 at 02:25 AM (#3309428)
Current/former Astros player **[INSERT NAME HERE]** should be the next (player) manager of the Astros.

Is Rusty Staub available? I don't anything about him other than he has a great baseball name ... but sports page column inches have been filled will much less substantial stuff than that.
   12. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: August 31, 2009 at 02:31 AM (#3309435)
Is Rusty Staub available?


man, he's gotta be about 80 by now...

::goes to check::

hmmm... surprisingly, only 65.
   13. base ball chick Posted: August 31, 2009 at 02:54 AM (#3309447)
OCF Posted: August 30, 2009 at 07:09 PM (#3309330)

Walt, I want a second opinion on that. Lisa - are you seeing this?


- oh it would go over BIG with the fans. and they would want biggio as his bench coach too

like bagwell has ANY idea how to do anything in a dugout but throw his weight around. he has never managed a thing in his life, has wandered in and out for number retiring day/booblehead day, etc. big deal. actually, he and biggio managed to get 3 managers fired, including dierker (who will never manage again) and it would serve them right to get thrown into the fire.

amusement

the honey moon wouldn't last real too long
   14. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:16 AM (#3309458)
Baseball chick, what are your thoughts on Gerald Young? Could he manage? How bout Tim Bogar?
   15. Quinton McCracken's BFF Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:26 AM (#3309463)
How many first basemen become managers, anyway?


Cecil Cooper?

Although he kinda stumbled into it.
   16. base ball chick Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:30 AM (#3309467)
gerald young???

he hasn't had anything to do with baseball for 15 or so years, best i know, but i have heard some stuff about bogar - he at least has had experience with both coaching and managing - and actually, i'm not sure why he left the astros Organization at all - guess they didn't want to promote him again.

he'd certainly fit with the ex-stro luuuvvv, but he wasn't exactly a hero. which would probably make him a better manager. hey, he had success with the astros low minor league teams and no one has since he left.

given the absolutely HORRIBLE manger/coaches we have now, don't see how it could get much worse. well, we could get buddy bell/don baylor/tony muser...

- as for cecil cooper, he didn't stumble into nothin - bud selig, who drayton mclane drops on his knees in front of to, uh, worship him, "recommended" cecil for the job. so naturally, drayton obeyed
   17. dejarouehg Posted: August 31, 2009 at 12:48 PM (#3309558)
It does seem to be hard for star players to manage. Hodges is a great example of the exception to the rule. Ted Williams did an OK job with the Senators, though he was a bitter hitter than his players, other than Hondo. His BP perofrmances with them was legendary.

To be fair to Trammell, there wasn't a ton of talent and what they did have was young.

Torre is a decent manager and was a very good player. (Not a huge Torre fan after seeing how he destroys relievers careers, but he thoroughly outmanaged Cox in the 96 WS.)
   18. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:00 PM (#3309569)
Frank Chance was a star player and a successful manager.

John McGraw obviously.

Cap Anson.

Bill Terry

Tris Speaker

Pie Traynor

Red Schoendiesnt

Ty Cobb

Every one of these guys was over .500 as a manager. Granted, some of them had limited tenures as managers. But it is true that no real star player in the last 50 years has been a highly successful manager.

Unless you count Mike Scioscia as a 'star'. Or Dusty. Or Felipe Alou.

I would consider those guys all good players in their day obviously. But not "stars".
   19. RJ in TO Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:10 PM (#3309575)
Did Lou Piniella go straight from playing to managing or did he coach some first?


He retired in 1984 and was manager of the Yankees in 1986. If he had coaching experience, he didn't have much of it - apparently he was the batting coach for the Yankees for the 1985 season, but that's it.
   20. retro-shiite Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:10 PM (#3309576)
But it is true that no real star player in the last 50 years has been a highly successful manager. Unless you count Mike Scioscia as a 'star'. Or Dusty. Or Felipe Alou.

Torre? Not a HOF player, but he was more of a star than those other guys. Won an MVP. 9-time all star.
   21. The Essex Snead Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:16 PM (#3309580)
Maybe Larry Dierker can interview while wearing Bagwell's goatee & get the job again.
   22. zonk Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:17 PM (#3309581)
It does seem to be hard for star players to manage. Hodges is a great example of the exception to the rule. Ted Williams did an OK job with the Senators, though he was a bitter hitter than his players, other than Hondo. His BP perofrmances with them was legendary.


Based on what I read about Ted's time at the helm, I think that's an appropriate typo.
   23. Tim Stauffer, Trot Nixon's Coming (Dan Lee) Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:32 PM (#3309585)
Mike Hargrove went from being one of the most successful first basemen in recent (at the time) Indians history to being the most successful Indians manager since Al Lopez.

Granted, Hargrove's relative level of stardom says more about the Indians of the 60's, 70's, and 80's than it does about his ability, but he seems to fit the bill of a successful popular player who went on to very successfully manage his old team. He's also a first baseman who became a manager. Two birds with one stone.
   24. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:34 PM (#3309586)
I have the solution for the Astros and for bbc: Brad Ausmus.

Tho I suppose he'd have to retire from the Dodgers first.
   25. jwb Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:50 PM (#3309599)
Retire? Nah. Ausmus for player/manager. He's as good as Humberto Quintero.
   26. rfloh Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:53 PM (#3309602)


This seems to happen literally about 75% of the time with European soccer teams. And that's a situation where the manager is usually also the person who picks all the players and negotiates with other teams to acquire them. Seems really dumb.


Sure, but in European soccer, you need some paper qualifications / coaching certificate from the governing body to manage. You are required to sit for various coaching courses.

Exceptions are sometimes granted for ex-players who don't yet have those coaching certificates; but, those exceptions are temporary, the manager is required to sit for those courses quickly.

Also, the ex-players often do have some experience as an assistant manager / coach.

And nowadays, it is becoming rare that the manager does the actual negotiations over financial details. There usually is someone else to do that.
   27. TVerik Posted: August 31, 2009 at 01:58 PM (#3309609)

Unless you count Mike Scioscia as a 'star'.


He was in that Simpsons episode.
   28. BK Arbour Posted: August 31, 2009 at 02:34 PM (#3309654)
Gerald Young? Tim Bogar? There's a whole host of former Astros who are just as funny?

Jose Lima has some time on his hands these days.
If the Astros called, Erin Anthony would listen.
Once you've had Phil Garner as manager, don't you have to have Denny Walling fill in as the platoon partner.
My father always believed Terry Puhl was "due." Due to manage the big team.
Heck, Casey Candaele's brother is a DIII football coach. That's got to be worth more than Bagwell's non-experience.

One former Astro leaps to the top of the list, based on his detailed theories about baseball--Joe Morgan.
   29. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 31, 2009 at 02:37 PM (#3309658)
Why haven't they hired Tony Eusebio as manager yet?
   30. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:00 PM (#3309675)
You are required to sit for various coaching courses.

That would be a terrific requirement for MLB.
   31. JJ1986 Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:02 PM (#3309679)
Jose Lima has some time on his hands these days.

I think he's still playing. He's like Rickey Henderson, if Rickey were a terrible pitcher instead of the greatest leadoff man of all time.
   32. jwb Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:19 PM (#3309692)
It's Lima Time in Edmonton!
   33. Sam Hutcheson is the Rickey Henderson of... Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:38 PM (#3309707)
Unless you count Mike Scioscia as a 'star'. Or Dusty. Or Felipe Alou.

Throw Frank Robinson into the pool.
   34. The District Attorney Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:42 PM (#3309712)
I have no idea who Edwin Maysonet, Tommy Manzella, and Brian Bogusevic are, but they sound like future Tim Bogars.

Hell, I have no idea who Yorman Bazardo and Bud Norris are, and they're apparently in the Astros' rotation already.
   35. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:42 PM (#3309713)
Throw Frank Robinson into the pool.


Frank's 74 years old today... prolly a bit fragile to be throwin' around...
   36. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Molina Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:43 PM (#3309716)
Not a huge Torre fan after seeing how he destroys relievers careers


That Rivera kid was sure washed up in a hurry.
   37. RJ in TO Posted: August 31, 2009 at 03:45 PM (#3309719)
Throw Frank Robinson into the pool.


While I think he's been a good manager, as he's often done a good job with dreadful teams, he's got a career 0.475 winning percentage, and has never made the playoffs in 17 chances (over 16 seasons). By the standards of actually winning things, he can't really be considered a success.
   38. dejarouehg Posted: August 31, 2009 at 04:04 PM (#3309743)
Hey 36, why don't you as Scott Proctor how he's feeling today?

It's a little insulting to Rivera to give Torre credit for what he's become.
   39. SoSH U at work Posted: August 31, 2009 at 04:06 PM (#3309747)
It's a little insulting to Rivera to give Torre credit for what he's become.


Well, he didn't (of course, it does make me wonder why Torre can't be given any credit for Torre's amazing run). Nonetheless, if you're going to point to Torre's reliever-destroying tendency, you do have to get over the Rivera hurdle.
   40. RJ in TO Posted: August 31, 2009 at 04:08 PM (#3309750)
It's a little insulting to Rivera to give Torre credit for what he's become.


Why? It's Torre's usage of him which allowed him to rack up all those saves, and his modified usage of him in the playoffs which has been a big part of Mo's legend.

Besides, if you're going to slap Torre around for things which go bad (his handling of Proctor), you also should give him at least some credit for things which go right (moving Rivera into the setup and closer roles, rather than just allowing him to kick around as a crappy fifth starter).
   41. dejarouehg Posted: August 31, 2009 at 04:48 PM (#3309787)
Fair point. His handling of massive egos is second-to-none. He clearly out-managed Bobby Cox in 96.
He was a helluva player and had the courage to bat ARod 8th. His use of the bullpen was key to their 96-00 run.

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