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Friday, May 08, 2009

MLB: Diamondbacks dismiss Bob Melvin as manager

SAN DIEGO—Bob Melvin has managed his final game for the Arizona Diamondbacks, a baseball source confirmed Thursday night.

The team is en route back to Phoenix after finishing a road trip in San Diego on Thursday afternoon.

Speculation about Melvin’s job status has been circling for several days now with the D-backs, a team picked by many to contend for the National League West crown, but off to a disappointing 12-17 start.

Melvin was hired by the team on Nov. 3, 2004, and improved the team’s win total by 26 games in 2005. After leading the D-backs to an NL-best 90 wins in 2007, Melvin was named the NL Manager of the Year and received a contract extension that runs through 2010.

It is not known who will replace Melvin, but KTAR, the team’s flagship station, reported that it will not be third-base coach Chip Hale.

Esoteric Posted: May 08, 2009 at 02:07 AM | 37 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: arizona

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1. Robert S. Posted: May 08, 2009 at 03:50 AM (#3170212)

Prediction: He never manages in the majors again.

2. Tripon Posted: May 08, 2009 at 03:53 AM (#3170214)

He'll be a bench coach though.

3. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:00 AM (#3170217)

John Gambadoro on Twitter:

AJ Hinch is new Dbacks manager.......Done deal

4. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:06 AM (#3170223)

The AJ Hinch who was traded for Johnny Damon and Mark Ellis? That AJ Hinch?

5. Earvin 'Gold Stars' Johnson Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:08 AM (#3170225)

Does Hinch have any managerial experience? I don't think he does.

6. Crispix Attacks Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:09 AM (#3170228)

He has catcherial experience.

7. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:12 AM (#3170231)

This AJ Hinch.

From Wikipedia:

Hinch retired after the 2005 season, and was hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks as their manager of minor league operations.[1] Even while playing, he was planning his post-playing career. He went so far as to go to the 2003 General Manager's winter meetings to look for future job opportunites and contacts. In July 2006, Baseball America named him one of baseball's "10 to watch" in the next 10 years for his promise as a Farm Director and future General Manager. In August 2006, the Diamondbacks named Hinch director of player development.

AJ is the youngest manager in baseball. He will be 35 next Friday.

8. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:16 AM (#3170236)

More changes, reports Nick Piecoro:

Director of Player Development A.J. Hinch is expected to be named as Melvin's replacement Friday at a 3 p.m. news conference. KTAR-AM was the first to report Hinch's promotion.

In addition, hitting coach Rick Schu was fired, and pitching coach Bryan Price resigned.

9. Tripon Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:27 AM (#3170242)

Shouldn't the D'Backs have done this last off season?

10. Tom Nawrocki Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:36 AM (#3170246)

The DBacks are going to be in real trouble without Melvin's mystical ability to make them exceed their Pythagorean projection.

11. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:42 AM (#3170250)

They would've done it last year, but were tripped by Manny's mystical ability to 'roid up the Dodgers clubhouse.

12. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:52 AM (#3170264)

Gambadoro's busy on Twitter tonight...
Reporting that Mel Stottlemeyer Jr will be the pitching coach

13. The George Sherrill Selection Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:54 AM (#3170265)

Price should be able to find a job, he had a terrific reputation back in Seattle.

If you were a guy that Hinch brought in, would that make you a Hinch-man?

14. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 04:59 AM (#3170271)

Supposedly Jack Howell will be the hitting coach. Hopefully this is a case of "those who can't hit, can teach".

15. Walt Davis Posted: May 08, 2009 at 05:01 AM (#3170272)

Bob Melvin has managed his final game for the Arizona Diamondbacks

So you think someone wrote this the first time the Yankees fired Billy Martin?

16. outoftownscoreboard Posted: May 08, 2009 at 05:14 AM (#3170280)

there have been three glaring holes in the dbacks line-up; 2 to injury; 1 to an abysmal month despite high expectations.

not a melvin fan but can't really hang that on him? (if it simply makes for convenience at this time, fine)

i wish a.j. success!

17. Walt Davis Posted: May 08, 2009 at 05:33 AM (#3170299)

there have been three glaring holes in the dbacks line-up; 2 to injury; 1 to an abysmal month despite high expectations.

I get what your'e saying but they're carrying a team OPS+ of 73. The problems have been deeper than 3 holes.

18. Shock Posted: May 08, 2009 at 05:34 AM (#3170300)

Prediction: He never manages in the majors again.

You have no idea how many times I've said a similar thing about Mike Keenan.

19. Robert S. Posted: May 08, 2009 at 05:45 AM (#3170309)

Is there any manager in baseball who was hired with less experience than Hinch? Would he even get an interview with another organization?

20. Drexl Spivey Posted: May 08, 2009 at 06:08 AM (#3170317)

"Those who can't just instruct others."

/Queens of the Stone Age

21. Guapo Posted: May 08, 2009 at 06:12 AM (#3170318)

Terrific. Now there's a major league manager who's younger than me. Thanks a lot, ############# doucheguzzling donkeyblowing Arizona Diamondbacks.

22. Lassus Posted: May 08, 2009 at 06:21 AM (#3170322)

I hope this doesn't somehow negatively affect Carlos.

23. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: May 08, 2009 at 06:29 AM (#3170331)

Is there any manager in baseball who was hired with less experience than Hinch? Would he even get an interview with another organization?

Close, but different.

Kevin Towers, aka the "Sludge Merchant", or "Dumpster Diver"

1989: pitcher for Spokane (A Ball)
1990-91: Padres scout
1992-93: Pirates scout
1994-95: Padres scouting director
1996 - Current: Padres General Manager. No current MLB GM has been in the position longer.

24. Shock Posted: May 08, 2009 at 06:33 AM (#3170334)

I hope this doesn't somehow negatively affect Carlos.

Shouldn't; they traded him to the White Sox.

...(I know)

25. Sleepy supports unauthorized rambling Posted: May 08, 2009 at 07:24 AM (#3170348)

1996 - Current: Padres General Manager. No current MLB GM has been in the position longer.

I had no idea. Given the way the last few years have gone, I'm surprised it's true.

26. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: May 08, 2009 at 07:44 AM (#3170351)

I had no idea. Given the way the last few years have gone, I'm surprised it's true.

Actually I am surprised he lasted this long.
Outside of Jake Peavy, (who right about now, would probably agree to go to any team that could just lay down a bunt), Towers minor league systems, gave us the likes of Sean Burroughs, Matt Clement, and Wiki Gonzalez over the years. His rosters are routinely made up of other teams castoffs.

When he found out his new ballpark suppressed left handed power, he immediately traded for left handed power. (Ollie Perez/Jason Bay for Brian Giles).

His does get credit for the Adrian Gonzalez/Chris Young for Adam Eaton heist though.

Every dumpster diver has their day I guess. I know I am ready for him to go. 14 years of trash is enough.

27. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 07:53 AM (#3170353)

I'm not older than A.J. Hinch but I remember when he was a prospect.

28. baudib Posted: May 08, 2009 at 08:29 AM (#3170358)

Wait till guys you saw in college and as rookies retire and go to the Hall of Fame.

29. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 09:53 AM (#3170364)

At least Melvin accomplished something during his tenure. Ned Yost hung around for years because the organization liked the cut of his jib...........

30. Repoz

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 11:15 AM (#3170370)

Reporting that Mel Stottlemeyer Jr will be the pitching coach

I hope they don't have a Doc Gooden Jr. in their system.

31. greenback

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 11:59 AM (#3170380)

You have no idea how many times I've said a similar thing about Mike Keenan.

I'm surprised David Stern doesn't pay Isiah Thomas millions to sit in solitary confinement somewhere.

32. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 12:19 PM (#3170387)

AJ Hinch? Damn, I'm now older than an MLB manager. That is...depressing.

33. BK Arbour Posted: May 08, 2009 at 12:35 PM (#3170398)

Wait till guys you saw in college and as rookies retire and go to the Hall of Fame.

At least there is an upside to the fact that nobody will be going into the Hall of Fame for while.

34. Obi One Kenobi Nil

Posted: May 08, 2009 at 12:44 PM (#3170402)

Mel Stottlemeter? Our pitching staff is the one thing that's kinda working

35. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: May 08, 2009 at 07:40 PM (#3171203)

You have no idea how many times I've said a similar thing about Mike Keenan.

I've been saying the same thing about Mike Dunleavy Sr. for a decade.

Some are saying with Hinch's scouting background, he is just an interim manager to evaluate the talent and decide who is staying and who is going. Will we start to see massive roster turnover soon? Who will be on the chopping block? Chad Tracy? Chris Young? Conor Jackson? Chris Snyder?

36. SouthSideRyan Posted: May 08, 2009 at 07:45 PM (#3171214)

gave us the likes of Sean Burroughs, Matt Clement, and Wiki Gonzalez over the years.

How does Matt Clement fit in that list?

37. baudib Posted: May 08, 2009 at 07:46 PM (#3171219)

At least there is an upside to the fact that nobody will be going into the Hall of Fame for while.

It is quite a stunning thing when you see guys you remember when you were a kid...or worse, when someone who's a young star and the same age as you, gets to a point where he's just an old, washed-up guy. There was a shocking moment in my life a few years ago when Troy Aikman retired and Willie Stargell died-- two guys who played on teams I hated -- in the same week.

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MLB: Diamondbacks dismiss Bob Melvin as manager

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