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You're Hired

metirish Sep 23 2009 06:55 AM

Bobby Valentine close to making return to TV, nears deal with ESPN It appears that BOBBY Valentine won't be unemployed for long. Television industry and baseball sources say Valentine, completing his final season as manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League, is on the verge of signing a lucrative multi-year deal with ESPN. Valentine, no doubt carrying his bag of disguises, will likely make his debut at the network working in its "Baseball Tonight" studio during next month's playoffs. "It's a done deal," one source said. "And it should be announced soon." This would mark Valentine's second tour of duty in Bristol. In 2003, he replaced Buck Showalter in ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" studio. Valentine, who took over the Mets during the 1996 season and managed them through 2002, also once worked as an analyst on NBC's Saturday afternoon "Game of the Week." Valentine, who pulled no punches in front of the camera, has already proven he has TV chops (sources said "The Baseball Network" also showed interest in him), but still wants to manage. If he comes to ESPN, it may be under circumstances similar to those in 2003. That's when ESPN put a "protection" clause in Bobby V.'s contact. Back then, ESPN suits set a precedent for hiring a manager-in-waiting. As part of the three-year offer negotiated with Valentine, network executives insisted that Valentine pay a monetary penalty if he bolted for a manager's job. Valentine, 59, stayed at ESPN for one season before heading to Japan. He managed the Marines (this was his second stint with the club) for six seasons, guiding them to a championship in 2005, their first title since 1974. Ownership said it could not afford to re-sign him at the end of this season, which sparked fan protests and a petition signed by 120,000 loyalists who wanted to the Marines to keep Valentine as manager. Valentine has one other ESPN connection. In 2008, he was featured in an ESPN documentary titled "The Zen of Bobby V." I'll tune in for that...can't remember the last time I tuned in to Baseball Tonight

Ashie62 Sep 23 2009 07:40 AM Re: You're Hired

Can he manage the Mets and do Baseball tonight from the dugout?

Edgy DC Sep 23 2009 07:55 AM Re: You're Hired

What I'd tune in for is a co-hosted opinion show called "Valentine and Phillips."

The Second Spitter Sep 23 2009 08:07 AM Re: You're Hired

Why not also throw Tim McCarver into the mix just for shits and giggles?

Ceetar Sep 23 2009 09:45 AM Re: You're Hired

This is a little weird to me. For one, I'd be surprised if the MLB Network wouldn't want him, and I don't know why he'd rather be at ESPN. Money explains that, however.. I'd think he'd want to at least consider managing first. It's not even the offseason, and I'm sure there will be managers fired (Manuel hopefully..). Why not hold out until November?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 23 2009 09:47 AM Re: You're Hired

He can always leave ESPN if he gets a managing job. (I'm feeling deja vu here... did he do that once before?)

Ceetar Sep 23 2009 09:55 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":130q4jyn]He can always leave ESPN if he gets a managing job. (I'm feeling deja vu here... did he do that once before?)[/quote:130q4jyn] True. Just seems somewhat silly. I imagine he may have had a contract when he went to Japan this last time. He worked for them in 2003 and then went to Japan in '04. On the other hand, I wonder if he's trying to set a value on his services. If ESPN is paying him X, he can tell teams..well, I'm more valuable as a manager than an analyst, so you should probably pay me...X++

The Second Spitter Sep 23 2009 10:01 AM Re: You're Hired

Given that salaries for Major League managers are a matter of public record, I can't see how getting a job as analyst puts him in a stronger bargaining position.

Ceetar Sep 23 2009 10:03 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Triple Dee":z0f7g0i5]Given that salaries for Major League managers are a matter of public record, I can't see how getting a job as analyst puts him in a stronger bargaining position.[/quote:z0f7g0i5] I'm talking strictly ego. If he feels he's "in demand" as a manager, he can point to his current contract with ESPN and say, "I'm making 3 million a year with these guys. Why should I leave to get paid half that?"

metirish Sep 23 2009 10:04 AM Re: You're Hired

Maybe he wants to be near home for a while and Bristol CT would fit that bill.

Edgy DC Sep 23 2009 10:05 AM Re: You're Hired

I don't know Connecticut geography as well as I should, but his stateside home is an hour or so from ESPN's studios, isn't it?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 23 2009 11:12 AM Re: You're Hired

It's probably also better to be out there in the public eye than to be in some quiet semi-retirement.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 23 2009 12:19 PM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Edgy DC":1xtx16a8]I don't know Connecticut geography as well as I should, but his stateside home is an hour or so from ESPN's studios, isn't it?[/quote:1xtx16a8] If he's still in Stamford, then, yes. He's roughly equidistant from both Secaucus and Bristol.

metirish Sep 23 2009 12:24 PM Re: You're Hired

IIRC his wife never did move to Japan , stills lives in Stamford and would commute once a month to see Bobby ...I think that was int he Bobby V documentry .

seawolf17 Sep 23 2009 01:07 PM Re: You're Hired

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2sygm49m][quote="Edgy DC":2sygm49m]I don't know Connecticut geography as well as I should, but his stateside home is an hour or so from ESPN's studios, isn't it?[/quote:2sygm49m] If he's still in Stamford, then, yes. He's roughly equidistant from both Secaucus and Bristol.[/quote:2sygm49m] Yes, but one involves driving around NYC, the other involves driving around... I don't know, Waterbury. Not exactly an equal commute. Either way, he's much closer when Fred & Jeff call now.

metirish Sep 30 2009 10:30 AM Re: You're Hired

Bobby Valentine hasn't followed the 2009 Mets as closely as he would have if he were not in another hemisphere. But the team's former manager said Tuesday that he has seen enough to consider the season "a tragedy." "I have some friends there that I've shared tears with because I think it's been a tragedy," he said from Japan, where he is concluding a six-year run with the Chiba Lotte Marines and preparing to join ESPN as an analyst in time for the League Championship Series. "It's been disappointment after disappointment, and I don't think anybody could've fixed it as the season was going on. As soon as it seemed like things were getting better, they seemed to get worse. I was kind of a fan that was really disappointed and upset by the outcome." Naturally, Valentine's name will come up if the Mets eventually replace manager Jerry Manuel - not to mention for other teams with openings - but for now he said he is "committed" to doing the best job he can for ESPN. In 2010, that will include regular work on "Baseball Tonight" as well as contributing to 1050 ESPN radio and ESPNNewYork.com, a Web site launching early next year. Valentine has provisions in his contract that would allow him to leave for a managerial job, but ESPN executive VP Norby Williamson said he assumes the network will have Valentine at least through 2010. After the Mets fired Valentine, he spent 2003 at ESPN. He said rejoining the network was an easy decision. (Even if it does mean also rejoining former Mets general manager Steve Phillips, with whom he had a frosty relationship.) "This is a situation that only a fool would refuse," he said.

Ashie62 Sep 30 2009 02:57 PM Re: You're Hired

I'm going to fool myself into thinking Bobby V is campaigning for the job

The Second Spitter Oct 01 2009 03:10 AM Re: You're Hired

Bobby Valentine hasn't followed the 2009 Mets as closely as he would have if he were not in another hemisphere. But the team's former manager said Tuesday that he has seen enough to consider the season "a tragedy." "I have some friends there that I've shared tears with because I think it's been a tragedy," he said This has go down as the biggest crock of shit I've read in ages. Even by his standards, it's pitiful.

Edgy DC Oct 01 2009 05:45 AM Re: You're Hired

Why?

The Second Spitter Oct 01 2009 07:51 AM Re: You're Hired

First, he admits he hasn’t followed them closely but apparently he’s invested sufficient emotional capital to actually cry over them. Really? With "friends" within the organization? I’m sorry but I’m having a real tough time forming a mental portrait of this, especially coming from the same man who was willing to share inside information about the same organization to a bunch of students. He equates the 2009 Mets to a "tragedy" – they’re a sporting organization; there’s nothing tragic about them. Unlucky? Most definitely. A disaster? In sporting terms, perhaps that’s a good summary of their season. Not to get all Tom Glavine on you, but tragedy is the not the word to use here. A tragedy implies undue and unmitigated suffering. He’s being melodramatic for no apparent reason, but his repeated restatement of the obvious through a series of hyperbole suggests to me he is being disingenuous.

Edgy DC Oct 01 2009 08:00 AM Re: You're Hired

Sure, I imagine he means "tragedy" hyperbolically, but it's not as if fans aren't hyperbolic every day. He should know better, but you've seen where trying to speak literally and with a reasonable sense of perspective got Glavine. My guess (and it's only that), is that if there's any truth to the weeping, his bawling partner was Reyes, a known weepyface, if you believe reports from the last year Reyes lost to injury. Valentine, who lost his legs (and, with them, his potential for stardom) early in his career* might relate. If all he's doing is getting in good with managment by letting him know his heart is with them, well, that's double plus good. * I don't literally mean that he lost his legs.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 01 2009 08:01 AM Re: You're Hired

The "sharing tears with other men" line is great though. Can't take credit for this idea, but how awesome would it be were the Mets to announce that Razor Shines has been fired and Bobby Vee is the new 3rd base coach? Ridonkulously awesome.

Edgy DC Oct 01 2009 08:11 AM Re: You're Hired

Being manager with Bobby Vee as your third base coach would be like sleeping every night with a gun to your head. It'd be like the dugout was full of bear traps. You'd technically be managing, but you'd be afraid to do anything, knowing that anything you screw up would doom you. You'd agonize over even filling out the lineup card. You'd be emotionally exausted by four o'clock.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 01 2009 08:19 AM Re: You're Hired

I think that's exactly why it would be fun. (And also one reason why it won't happen.) I do hope that the Mets have reevaluated their earlier position, and that we read of a Jerry Manuel firing early next week. There's really only one reason to keep him: the fact that he's signed, and is owed money, for 2010. Other than that, he's done everything a fired manager ought to have done.

Edgy DC Oct 01 2009 08:28 AM Re: You're Hired

He'd even get more camera time than Manuel. It'd be murdering the poor guy in tiny doses.

The Second Spitter Oct 01 2009 08:28 AM Re: You're Hired

I can;t imagine money will be the issue (although with the Wilpons you never know). He's owed less than the sum of two minimum wage Major Leaguers.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 01 2009 08:36 AM Re: You're Hired

I truly think the reason they won't fire Jerry is that they can't do that without also whacking Omar, and they're not prepared to do that. Yet. Omar's already had 3 whacks at naming a manager, considering Jerry's re-hiring at the end of last season. How many more chances should he get?

Benjamin Grimm Oct 01 2009 08:40 AM Re: You're Hired

None. But I suspect the Wilpons don't see it that way yet. There seems to be some buzz that Omar's leash is shorter, that he's in trouble, etc. But I don't think a firing is imminent, and if you don't fire your GM in early October, I would think that means he survives the offseason. (Unless he takes off his shirt and starts shouting.)

Frayed Knot Oct 01 2009 08:40 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":3bcyvx39]I do hope that the Mets have reevaluated their earlier position, and that we read of a Jerry Manuel firing early next week. There's really only one reason to keep him: the fact that he's signed, and is owed money, for 2010.[/quote:3bcyvx39] I don't think it's money when it comes to Jerry. There's also the conundrum of allowing Minaya to outlast the second of his own hires so they'd need to get rid of both (and be on the hook for a helluva lotta money) or have to answer for why their willing to see Manual axed but not the guy who constructed the team AND hired the last two fired managers. And, as we know, the specter of how a move will look is often as important to them as how it works. They seem willing to call this season an imperfect storm of events and give these two one more year to turn things around although with orders to make changes NOW!!!! where things aren't working: Shines, Int'l scouting directors, minor league officials, etc. I honestly don't think they're unwilling to eat the money - hell, they've done it with virtually every manager they've ever hired - but rather are ready to make both Jerry & Omar sing for their future suppers while probably going into next season with an eye towards (perhaps for the first time) looking [u:3bcyvx39]outside the organization[/u:3bcyvx39] for who could/will replace both guys if things don't turn around. oe: cross posted with several of the above

Edgy DC Oct 01 2009 08:48 AM Re: You're Hired

I like to think it's perfectly rational to continue with Minaya but not Manuel.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 01 2009 08:52 AM Re: You're Hired

It is. I'd fire both of them, but I think Jerry deserves firing on his own merits, not just because he was Omar's guy.

MFS62 Oct 01 2009 08:56 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2wrh145l] Omar's already had 3 whacks at naming a manager, considering Jerry's re-hiring at the end of last season. How many more chances should he get?[/quote:2wrh145l] Without some recoveries from injury and improvements to the team, Omar naming a new manager would be like General Custer naming a new platoon leader. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 01 2009 10:58 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":2uql0ueo]I think that's exactly why it would be fun. (And also one reason why it won't happen.)[/quote:2uql0ueo] Even more fun: hire Mustachioed Bobby Valentine under an alias. Or take a page out of the wrestling-storyline playbook, and hire a luchador-masked "man" from Parts Unknown to coach there. Is it Bobby V... or a slimmed-down Davey? A Lost Wilpon cousin? An anthropomorphic pile of money in a baseball uni?

Ashie62 Oct 01 2009 02:18 PM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Benjamin Grimm"]It is. I'd fire both of them, but I think Jerry deserves firing on his own merits, not just because he was Omar's guy.

They can just fire them on different days then

The Second Spitter Oct 02 2009 02:41 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Frayed Knot":2g28fql2][quote="Benjamin Grimm":2g28fql2]I do hope that the Mets have reevaluated their earlier position, and that we read of a Jerry Manuel firing early next week. There's really only one reason to keep him: the fact that he's signed, and is owed money, for 2010.[/quote:2g28fql2] I don't think it's money when it comes to Jerry. There's also the conundrum of allowing Minaya to outlast the second of his own hires so they'd need to get rid of both (and be on the hook for a helluva lotta money) or have to answer for why their willing to see Manual axed but not the guy who constructed the team AND hired the last two fired managers. And, as we know, the specter of how a move will look is often as important to them as how it works.[/quote:2g28fql2] Problem is, with this organization you never know the extent to which Omar is responsible for decisions we are holding him accountable for.

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2009 07:36 AM Re: You're Hired

I don't know if the Wilpon's are interfering at rates greater than what other owner do (they seem to alternately be criticized both for doing too much and too little). Does that mean I think Omar has "full autonomy" for baseball decisions? ... to the extent that most GMs do, yes. Any mgr/dept head in any business is going to have to run decisions by upper mgmt and fit within general rules and budget guidelines. But I don't think Omar would have a managerial hire of his rejected unless Fred & Jeff strenuously objected for some reason and then you wonder if he'd stay under those circumstances. What I was getting at in the earlier post is that if Omar is whacking and hiring his third manager in a relatively short time essentially saying to his bosses; "don't wory, I'll get it right this time", it reflects at least as badly on him as it does on those he hired in which case the owners would be tempted to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Instead, I think they're willing to write this year off as the mother of all bad-break scenarios with the provision that there'll be no such assumptions made again so the areas where we know the weak links are better be cleaned up and if anything like it happens again it won't be treated as a coincidence and it will be your replacement deciding on the next field manager, not you.

The Second Spitter Oct 02 2009 09:07 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Frayed Knot":24klnz1v]I don't know if the Wilpon's are interfering at rates greater than what other owner do (they seem to alternately be criticized both for doing too much and too little). Does that mean I think Omar has "full autonomy" for baseball decisions? ... to the extent that most GMs do, yes. Any mgr/dept head in any business is going to have to run decisions by upper mgmt and fit within general rules and budget guidelines. But I don't think Omar would have a managerial hire of his rejected unless Fred & Jeff strenuously objected for some reason and then you wonder if he'd stay under those circumstances.[/quote:24klnz1v] Gee, I don't know. I don't purport to have insider information into the Mets organization, but things the Wilpons have said post-2004 (eg about not eating contracts), Minaya's moves in the FA market this past off-season, and stuff Phillips' has said throughout the course of the season (admittedly through his own agenda) makes me believe they do. But even if they're not interfering directly in the decision making, as you point out they still control Omar's budget. So, say if Omar wanted to whack Willie at the end of 07 to hire Torre, the Wilpons may have barked at the price, that takes Omar off the hook to a degree. [quote="Frayed Knot":24klnz1v] What I was getting at in the earlier post is that if Omar is whacking and hiring his third manager in a relatively short time essentially saying to his bosses; "don't wory, I'll get it right this time", it reflects at least as badly on him as it does on those he hired in which case the owners would be tempted to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Instead, I think they're willing to write this year off as the mother of all bad-break scenarios with the provision that there'll be no such assumptions made again so the areas where we know the weak links are better be cleaned up and if anything like it happens again it won't be treated as a coincidence and it will be your replacement deciding on the next field manager, not you. [/quote:24klnz1v] Sure, I understood your point. I get the distinct impression the Wilpons judge the magnitude of a mistake in financial terms and not what it means in baseball terms. So his argument to the Wilpons could be something like this; "I admit Jerry was a mistake, but he was an inexpensive mistake", which is something I believe they would be inclined to accept. FWIW, I think where Omar screwed up was not having chutzpah to whack Willie in 07 and risking a more expensive solution (like Torre) and then rewarding Jerry for his failure. Essentially he's taken the fiscally conservative approach in both instances. Whether that's a result of Wilpons' influence or because it was the decision that involved less risk, is unclear. But in both cases it didn't portend well for the Mets.

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2009 09:59 AM Re: You're Hired

"... but things the Wilpons have said post-2004 (eg about not eating contracts)" I don't remember specifics about not eating contracts - and they have eaten a few: Marlon Anderson, Julio Franco, Castro, and several mgrs come to mind just in the last year + a half. No real huge contracts there but there haven't been any big ones worth eating recently. Many called for Castillo's to be swallowed last winter (or on a night in May this year) but it's not like there was a sure-fire replacement waiting in the wings and not doing so turned out to be a good move as opposed to a reaction to a bad year (or bad night). Jerry's contract is for one more year and not for very much money in the grand scheme of things (750K?). I can't see Fred/Jeff laying down the law that Jerry can't be fired on account of the money owed unless Omar's only suggestion for a replacement is giving LaRussa 5 years @ $10-per. "Minaya's moves in the FA market this past off-season" Like taking on ~$18mil to fix a bad bullpen while still paying a unusable closer $15mil? Not spending to fill every fan's wish is not the same as being unreasonably restricted. Every business has a budget and it's tough to argue that they one they use is too low considering it's among the highest each year. "and stuff Phillips' has said throughout the course of the season (admittedly through his own agenda) makes me believe they do." IIRC, Phillips comments had to do mostly with the Duquette regime that followed his directly and the "wise old men" they brought in as advisors who clearly had the ability to go over and around the green GM, someone who not only never had the training wheels taken off his GM car but even had it written into his contract that he could be demoted at any time. That clearly WAS them interfering with a rookie they didn't trust but Omar wanted no part of the proposed 'co-GM' set-up at that time and came in without the layers between him and the owners and at least the promise that the baseball decisions would be his. " But even if they're not interfering directly in the decision making, as you point out they still control Omar's budget." As does any manager in any business. I don't see what's so unique about this. If they're saying to Omar 'you can spend this but not that' that's S.O.P. as far as I'm concerned. If they're somehow saying you can spend this amount but we're going to have a say in how/i] you spend it then I'd say they're interfering. An Omar, for example, who thinks the best moves are adding Manny & Elijah Dukes only to have the Wilpons reject them for pr reasons is not being allowed to improve his team the way he thinks best. But not being allowed to add Teixeira & Sabathia on top of F. Rodriguez and less than a year after adding Santana because it's way more than they have available (or think is wise) to spend then I don't see that as unreasonable restraint.

Edgy DC Oct 02 2009 10:09 AM Re: You're Hired

The way money enters into a potential managerial change is not so much the money they would eat from Jerry's contract, but the money they would presumably pay a bigger-name replacement.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 02 2009 10:50 AM Re: You're Hired

I suppose that could be true, assuming the replacement has to be a bigger name. My 21-year-old self was very disappointed that the Mets didn't go "big name" for their 1984 manager; instead they just promoted the Tidewater guy. That turned out to be a terrific move. Maybe Ken Oberkfell is the answer. Or some third base coach from the NL Central. (I have no idea who they are; don't ask me for specifics.) I just want a smart guy. He doesn't have to be a famous guy.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 15 2009 11:55 AM Re: You're Hired

Snooze today says Tueful will manage AA (mainly to assist Reese Havens learn 2B) and Wally will get Class A managing job (not sure which team). Mookie Wilson and John Stearns also likely to be hired for organizational jobs as the Mets make a show of "honoring their history" in typical Met fashion. Razor to bench coach, Sandy Jr. to 1B coach, may re-hire Acta for 3B if he doesn't get managing gig elsewhere.

metirish Oct 15 2009 12:24 PM Re: You're Hired

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1ncxxslk]Snooze today says Tueful will manage AA (mainly to assist Reese Havens learn 2B) and Wally will get Class A managing job (not sure which team). Mookie Wilson and John Stearns also likely to be hired for organizational jobs as the Mets make a show of "honoring their history" in typical Met fashion. Razor to bench coach, Sandy Jr. to 1B coach, may re-hire Acta for 3B if he doesn't get managing gig elsewhere.[/quote:1ncxxslk] It's all coming together......GM Jeff knows how to get the fans on board.

Edgy DC Oct 15 2009 12:32 PM Re: You're Hired

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]Snooze today says Tueful will manage AA (mainly to assist Reese Havens learn 2B)

I was kind of hoping he'd eventually teach a few infielders (like Hector Pellot) how to hit.

Teufel ain't my go-to guy on double-play technique.

MFS62 Oct 15 2009 12:37 PM Re: You're Hired

Edgy, I still like your line (if not yours, take credit fo it anyhow) that Teuffel and Backman can platoon as coaches. Later

Ashie62 Oct 15 2009 12:46 PM Re: You're Hired

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":ugywf9zj]Snooze today says Tueful will manage AA (mainly to assist Reese Havens learn 2B) and Wally will get Class A managing job (not sure which team). The Mets have lierally made a deal with the Devil Mookie Wilson and John Stearns also likely to be hired for organizational jobs as the Mets make a show of "honoring their history" in typical Met fashion. Razor to bench coach, Sandy Jr. to 1B coach, may re-hire Acta for 3B if he doesn't get managing gig elsewhere.[/quote:ugywf9zj]

MFS62 Oct 17 2009 09:25 AM Re: You're Hired

And somewhere, Camera Carter is sobbing. Later

Edgy DC Oct 19 2009 08:47 AM Re: You're Hired

Mike Hargrove is campaigning to return to the Indians, but he doesn't appear to be in the mix as the Indians have reportedly narrowed their candidates to a short list that includes Bobby Valentine (boooo!) and Manny Acta. Don Mattingly is pimping himself for a job, but they're going to have to wait until the Dodgers exit the playoffs. That may be soon.

metirish Oct 21 2009 11:20 AM Re: You're Hired

Has Valentine been on ESPN yet...what's the deal there?

Frayed Knot Oct 21 2009 11:46 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="metirish":2m8iv98f]Has Valentine been on ESPN yet...what's the deal there?[/quote:2m8iv98f] Yes

Edgy DC Oct 26 2009 07:35 AM Re: You're Hired

So, how about Acta getting the Cleveland job? More importantly, that leaves Bobby still out there.

metirish Oct 26 2009 07:59 AM Re: You're Hired

For me if you are choosing Acta over Valentine then it's about money.....

Edgy DC Oct 26 2009 08:25 AM Re: You're Hired

And that's probably fine, especially from Cleveland's point of view.

MFS62 Oct 27 2009 01:34 PM Re: You're Hired

Astros name Brad Mills new manager. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hot ... 88176.html Who? Brad Mills. Later

Frayed Knot Oct 27 2009 02:46 PM Re: You're Hired

[quote="MFS62":2pkj0j6o]Astros name Brad Mills new manager.[/quote:2pkj0j6o] Nickname: The General? ... as in 'the field general' or General Mills

Benjamin Grimm Oct 27 2009 02:51 PM Re: You're Hired

Can you elaborate on your nickname methodology?

Frayed Knot Oct 27 2009 04:51 PM Re: You're Hired

Yeah, I thought it might be too obscure without an explanation but having to explain it too much means it probably wasn't worth it.

SteveJRogers Oct 27 2009 04:57 PM Re: You're Hired

Well, you are no Val big guy!

themetfairy Oct 27 2009 04:58 PM Re: You're Hired

I liked it, FK.

Ashie62 Oct 27 2009 05:21 PM Re: You're Hired

Enjoy General Mills Breakfast Cereals and fine Wise snacks

MFS62 Oct 29 2009 01:06 PM Re: You're Hired

I guess a "stayin' on" belongs in this thread. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/b ... itter_feed Later

Frayed Knot Nov 12 2009 08:22 AM Re: You're Hired

Nationals reportedly opt to retain Riggleman over hiring Valentine

Ashie62 Nov 12 2009 09:09 AM Re: You're Hired

Bobby V have Swine flu or something? Saw Bobby V on ESPN Tuesday sitting on the right. He just didn't look at home. Whoever colors his hair did a great job.

Edgy DC Nov 12 2009 09:17 AM Re: You're Hired

Bobby Vee, already getting paid good money to stay home, has a higher asking price, I'm sure.

Ashie62 Nov 12 2009 09:49 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Edgy DC":fpaki4mr]Bobby Vee, already getting paid good money to stay home, has a higher asking price, I'm sure.[/quote:fpaki4mr] You betcha..ante up Fred! Easy for me to say

Centerfield Nov 12 2009 10:26 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Ashie62"]Bobby V have Swine flu or something?

I hear he's not getting these jobs because he's showing up at interviews wearing this:

metirish Nov 12 2009 10:31 AM Re: You're Hired

Bobby not getting hired is a good thing, he can take over if the Mets flounder out of the gate.

Edgy DC Nov 16 2009 09:35 AM Re: You're Hired

It's official. Wally gets the Cyclones.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 16 2009 09:39 AM Re: You're Hired

Hopefully he'll make it through the week without getting fired.

Edgy DC Nov 16 2009 09:46 AM Re: You're Hired

Well, he'd already signed with the organization sometime back so any new skeletons have had their chance to emerge over the last several weeks. [quote="Backman":2hqel5nh]“I am thrilled and grateful to be coming back to the Mets’ organization,” said Backman. “The greatest days of my professional career were spent here in New York, and I have always felt a special connection to the city. I am especially excited to be joining the Cyclones. Brooklyn is a major minor-league team, and I know the borough’s fans are – like me – intensely passionate about baseball and about winning.”[/quote:2hqel5nh] [quote="Cyclones GM":2hqel5nh]Blah, blah, bliddy, blah scrappy. Blah, blah, blue, collar, blah, blah. Short, white blah, blah, committed to winning. Brooklyn, baby, bliddy, blah. Blah-blah.[/quote:2hqel5nh] Short-season A is probably a really good job. You get three months (four counting spring training) down there in St. Lucie evaluating your talent as they work out in extended spring limbo, so you know them inside and out by the time the season starts, which certainly is different from a full-season minor league job. You get a handful of guys coming to you from the draft, but you've read the scouting reports, and they're generally high draftees, and they're pretty much the birthday presents waiting for you when you get to Crooklyn.

metirish Nov 16 2009 09:48 AM Re: You're Hired

Good for Wally , good for the Mets and good for The Cyclones.

Frayed Knot Nov 16 2009 10:35 AM Re: You're Hired

Also factoring in the Wilpon's (alleged) penchant for intentionally stacking the (self-owned) Brooklyn squad with their best young talent (to the detriment of other minor league affiliates) should supply Wally with a (hoped-for) soft landing.

MFS62 Nov 16 2009 10:39 AM Re: You're Hired

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":1m8c9fcc]Hopefully he'll make it through the week without getting fired.[/quote:1m8c9fcc] Or a 9-1-1 call. Later

Ashie62 Nov 17 2009 11:29 AM Re: You're Hired

Wally Backman..2 arrests and financials problems..Sounds like half of America..Welcome to Wally's World

Edgy DC Nov 18 2009 01:09 PM Re: You're Hired

By the way, with all the hackocracy focusing on the "Backman as Next-in-Line" angle of this story, how perfect that he first found hot water years ago as a AA manager in the White Sox when he allegedly asked Gardenhire to go hard after the South Siders to help grease the skids for then-Sox-manager Jerry Manuel.

metirish Nov 18 2009 01:11 PM Re: You're Hired

The media loved that one.....Manuel for his part said he is happy that Wally got another chance.