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Jim Tracy Gone (and Jim Tracy Back Again!)

Edgy DC Oct 03 2005 11:06 PM Jim Tracy Gone

Why, yes! I do see Bobby Valentine returning to Los Angeles. Thank you for asking.

Valadius Oct 03 2005 11:09 PM

Tommy Lasorda's on the cross-Pacific wire with his good buddy, one would bet.

Edgy DC Oct 03 2005 11:15 PM

And thought it would be bad Yes though it would right stink Los Angeles is better Than Yankee stripes, I think

metirish Oct 03 2005 11:15 PM

Talk was that ownership wants Dusty Baker, although that's old talk, Trammell got fired from the Tigers as well.

Edgy DC Oct 03 2005 11:27 PM

Wow. Not too fair. Trammell, Tracy, McKeon No one heard their pleain' On the third of October Their teams threw them over "Go work at ESPN"

Yancy Street Gang Oct 04 2005 08:58 AM

I read in the Philadelphia Inquirer that our old friend Juan Samuel is among those being considered for the Tigers job.

Elster88 Oct 04 2005 09:28 AM

Juan Samuel is not my friend. I like him less than any other Met in history. And it's not even his fault. He didn't do anything. I'm just crazy.

Frayed Knot Oct 04 2005 03:11 PM

Maybe Juan was just the token minority consideration: Leyland to manage Tigers http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2180682

Edgy DC Oct 04 2005 03:14 PM

That was a quick interview process. Old joke: "Juan, thanks for coming in, talking to us, and being named 'Juan'."

metirish Oct 04 2005 03:24 PM

I've no problem with Dombrowski hiring who he thinks is the best man for the job, the process stinks though, Juan was part of Trammells staff, he gets an interview, Dumbrowski calls Leyalnd Monday and he's hired Tuesday, you think Samuel was wasting his time? Leyland was the manager when the Marlins won the WS in 97, Dumbrowski ws the GM.

TheOldMole Oct 04 2005 09:01 PM

Less than Mike Hampton?

Willets Point Oct 05 2005 11:24 AM

Ms. Tiger on Trammel firing: "Wah!" (actual quote)

Edgy DC Oct 05 2005 11:27 AM

The first crisis of your marriage. Everytime there's a new post in this thread, I fear clicking on it, lest it be news of a Bobby Valentine hiring. Then you'll hear some "Waaaaah!"

Frayed Knot Oct 05 2005 01:57 PM

Texas GM John Hart also "resigned" yesterday. His 28 y/o assistant gets the job. Wonder how HE gets along with Buck?

willpie Oct 05 2005 03:41 PM

What'd Trammell do wrong? He took a really shitty team and turned it into a darn mediocre team. Sounds like progress to me.

Valadius Oct 05 2005 06:11 PM

Ken Macha is now done in Oakland.

Edgy DC Oct 05 2005 08:37 PM

BRING BACK HOWE! BRING BACK HOWE! BRING BACK HOWE!

Johnny Dickshot Oct 06 2005 01:56 PM

"I want rustlers, cutthroats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con-men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglars, horse thieves, bull-dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, ass-kickers, shitkickers, and Methodists!" D-rays whack GM Chuck "Hedley" LaMarr

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2005 03:30 PM

The Marlins have received permission to talk to Joe Girardi, and I suspect the D-Rays may be close behind them in asking. I wonder if the Yanx could get away with granting permission to one but denying it to the other based on the long-standing bad relations between the two teams, or if the Commish would jump in and call 'Foul' if they tried it?

DocTee Oct 06 2005 08:44 PM

Bay Area scuttlebutt has A's Bullpen coach (and longtime--since they were etenagers in San Diego-- Billy Beane friend) Bob Geren to be the frontrunner to replace Macha. Macha was born and bred in Pittsburgh-- runors have him headed there (sucks for Art Howe, who'd been rumored as leading candidate for Bucs job) And A's third base coach Ron Washington scheduled to be interviewed by both Florida teams (among others)-- apparently he's the next WWSB, getting tons of interviews 'cause he's black and thereby fufills MLB's mandate--

sharpie Oct 07 2005 10:47 AM

On ESPN last night they thought Tracy would get the Pittsburg job.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2005 11:51 AM

Joe Girardi will indeed interview for the Tampa job as well as the Marlins (he's already talked to the fish and is scheduled to again). And Bobby V is also on the Tampa list. There's been some contact although apparently nothing official yet. Jim Duqette is a candidate for the Baltimore GM job. Of course there's a snag there since they not only still have one but actually have TWO. Speculation has Mike Flanagan being bumped to a different job within the org and Jim Beattie being just plain bumped.

metirish Oct 10 2005 04:22 PM

Ed Wade gone as the Phillies GM, Larry Bowa was on the FAN talking about the palyoffs and when asked about Wade said that Cashman was the name being mentioned down there.

metirish Oct 10 2005 04:27 PM

]And Bobby V is also on the Tampa list. There's been some contact although apparently nothing official yet. Oh I don't think that would be a good fit,hasn't the new owner has hired a few Harvard guys to run things?, I just don't see Bobby working with guys like that.

Valadius Oct 10 2005 05:03 PM

My dad knows the new owner. I'll ask him.

metirish Oct 10 2005 11:09 PM

Yeah Val make yerself useful and do that, finaly someone on the "inside" with a contact, except it's with the freaking Devil Rays...Val can you find out what they want for Baez?

smg58 Oct 10 2005 11:30 PM

I think they asked for Milledge and/or Petit in July. The price may go down this coming July, because this is his out year, but I wouldn't blame them for demanding a lot for players they still control, and for getting the most out of their good players while they have them unless somebody makes them an offer they can't refuse. The strategy did get them Kazmir. However, at some point they really do have to spend some money...

metirish Oct 11 2005 12:42 PM

Tracy hired by the Pirates. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/4981982

Edgy DC Oct 11 2005 12:49 PM

Jim Tracy, new manager of your Pittsburgh Pirates.

Valadius Oct 11 2005 02:52 PM

I DO know that Stu Sternberg, the new owner of the Devil Rays, is very serious about moving the team to Las Vegas if Tampa doesn't help him build this enormous complex. I forget if it includes a new stadium or not. I'll have to probe my dad for info on specific players, though. My dad knows him from work. Sternberg and a whole bunch of his friends from work all retired at the same time and got a ton of money, which they used on the D-Rays. My dad wasn't one of them, and I did yell at him when all this was going on for not even being the tiniest bit involved, but he does know a lot of people in that ownership group.

metirish Oct 11 2005 09:37 PM

Paul DePodesta has four finalists that will interview for the Dodger job ]DePodesta Identifies Four Candidates for Manager Collins, Royster, Trammell and Lovullo will interview for Dodger job. An unidentified fifth person is in the mix. By Steve Henson, Times Staff Writer Four of the five managerial candidates to be interviewed by the Dodgers next week will be Terry Collins, Jerry Royster, Alan Trammell and Torey Lovullo, General Manager Paul DePodesta said Wednesday. DePodesta would not divulge the fifth candidate because he has been unable to reach him. The person is employed by another team not in the playoffs. Collins and Royster work in the Dodger farm system, Trammell was fired last week as manager of the Detroit Tigers and Lovullo was manager of the Cleveland Indians' double-A affiliate in Akron. DePodesta said he has a secondary list of candidates and that additional interviews might be conducted before a decision is reached. The Dodgers would like to hire a manager before organizational meetings are held during the World Series. Jim Tracy, the manager the last five years, left the Dodgers by mutual agreement Monday, one day after the team finished with a 71-91 record. Tracy, considered the front-runner for the Pittsburgh opening, had a lengthy telephone conversation with Pirate General Manager Dave Littlefield on Wednesday, but now might have competition from Ken Macha, who could not reach an agreement to return to the Oakland Athletics. Macha, who lives near Pittsburgh, was a finalist along with Tracy in 2000 when Lloyd McClendon was hired as Pirate manager. DePodesta has scheduled one interview each day from Tuesday through Saturday. Collins, 56, the Dodger director of player development, managed the Houston Astros from 1994 to 1996 and the Angels from 1997 until he was fired late in the 1999 season. Royster, 52, is manager of the Dodgers' triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas. He managed the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002. "[Terry] is very familiar with our personnel," DePodesta said. "Jerry made sense for a lot of the same reasons." Trammell, 47, posted a record of 186-300 in three seasons with the Tigers, one of the worst teams in baseball for many years. He was 43-119 his first year, and the team showed dramatic improvement in 2004, finishing 72-90. "He had a phenomenal career as a player and has a sterling reputation in the game as a person and as a baseball man," DePodesta said. "When he was let go, we spent a lot of time on his name." Lovullo, 40, led Akron to an 84-58 record and the Eastern League title. He has won championships in each of his four seasons as a minor league manager. "He's a guy I've been interested in sitting down with for a while," DePodesta said. "We considered him for farm director position last year and he is a potential rising star in the game." Lovullo is the only one of the four who has not been a major league manager. "It helps that somebody has been through the rigors before and understands everything that comes with being a manager," DePodesta said. "But it won't be a hard requirement." He said there are internal candidates beyond Collins and Royster on the secondary list. Jim Fregosi is hoping he is on that list. Although he hasn't managed since 2000 and is a special advisor to the Atlanta Braves, Fregosi has a strong interest in the Dodger opening. "He's looking to change the culture and improve the franchise and get it back to the respectability it had," said Alan Meersand, Fregosi's agent. No Bobby V?, his team is in the Playoffs in Japan.

Frayed Knot Oct 11 2005 11:20 PM

]Speculation has Mike Flanagan being bumped to a different job within the org and Jim Beattie being just plain bumped. And speculation was dead on in this case: Flanagan kicked upstairs, Beattie out. Supposedly this also that means Perlozzo's job as field manager is safe. No word on whether (or who) someone gets the GM job to presumably work under Flanagan.

DocTee Oct 11 2005 11:25 PM

Specualtion in the Bay Area is that A's third-base coach Ron Washington is secret fifth candidate-- makes sense since DePodesta was an assistant to Billy Beane and knows RW from their days together in Oakland. Washington certainly fits the profile of "employed by team not in playoffs" and should he be passed over (again) in Oakland, he may want to bolt.

Edgy DC Oct 11 2005 11:27 PM

The O's are to GM-types as the Yankees are to lefthanded hitting designated hitter-types. There's always room for one more in the organization.

Valadius Oct 14 2005 02:23 PM

The secret fifth person has been identified as Ron Wotus, the Giants' bench coach.

Valadius Oct 14 2005 03:24 PM

And Ken Macha has been rehired after all in Oakland.

sharpie Oct 14 2005 03:44 PM

Valadius, tell your dad to tell his friends to give us back Kazmir.

Valadius Oct 14 2005 04:27 PM

Tampa Bay's front office is pretty much shut down right now. Sternberg fired Chuck LaMar and his two assistants. They have to hire their replacements before serious baseball moves will be made. I can tell you this: The payroll will increase by about 10 million at least. All of their young guys will be brought up quickly. They WILL be open to trades.

SwitchHitter Oct 14 2005 08:33 PM

Leave Kazmir there. He's a local boy and all, but I don't want my team facing him if there's an option to face someone crappy instead.

sharpie Oct 19 2005 03:39 PM

Marlins are announcing tonight that Joe Girardi is their new manager. Being the Marlins manager has got to be the shortest term job anywhere.

metirish Oct 19 2005 03:50 PM

It's amazing, Girardi is in coaching a year and gets a job, WWSB was coaching more that a dozen years before landing a gig...

MFS62 Oct 19 2005 03:50 PM

sharpie wrote: Marlins are announcing tonight that Joe Girardi is their new manager. Being the Marlins manager has got to be the shortest term job anywhere. What about someone with the DTs who works in a nitro glycerine plant? Yesterday, I heard on sportstalk radio (forget which station) that Joe may receive offers from two teams (one being Florida). The host mentioned that this is rare for someone with no prior managing experience to receive two offers the first time they went after a managerial spot. I've heard Joe when he did some color on tv games. He was not only well spoken, but came across as someone who is always well prepared. I guess the GMs felt the same way. Later

sharpie Oct 19 2005 04:55 PM

Next season will be the 14th Marlins season. Managers: Rene Lachemann John Boles Jim Leyland John Boles (again) Tony Perez Jeff Torborg Jack McKeon Joe Girardi The Marlins came in with the Rockies. Rockies managers: Don Baylor Jim Leyland Buddy Bell Clint Hurdle

Edgy DC Oct 31 2005 09:18 PM

Boom, crash, Theo is [url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051031&content_id=1262921&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb][u:972a76b8f6]free-o[/u:972a76b8f6][/url].

Willets Point Oct 31 2005 09:21 PM

No more free Red Sox games for Bret.

Johnny Dickshot Oct 31 2005 10:22 PM

Holy crap.

mlbaseballtalk Oct 31 2005 10:33 PM

metirish wrote: It's amazing, Girardi is in coaching a year and gets a job, WWSB was coaching more that a dozen years before landing a gig... I ought to put this in the Sports Radio Host thread, but this really was a cause of some concern among certain hosts coughstevenasmithcough and callers cougheliinwestchestercough who brought up how WWSB was constantly turned down for jobs Thing is 1) The skinny on Giradi was that he'd be the type who could manage someday, catchers generally are while the only outward thing that made Randolph "managing material" was the fact that he was the Yankee co-captain for a couple of years (he and Guidry were tabbed captians after Nettles was traded) 2) Does it say more about Girardi wanting to jump at the first offer while Randolph was disgusted about the Reds job a couple of years back (Reds gave him a very lowball offer)? The knock also was that Randolph "didn't interview" well. Maybe part of his makeup is he gave off the impression that he didn't want to leave the coccoon of New York

Spacemans Bong Oct 31 2005 10:41 PM

Randolph was not interested in managing in the minors. It is mostly catchers who are called future managing material, but it's more than just them. Orel Hershisher was considered a future manager while a player. Usually really smart players get that accolade - Tony Gwynn too, et al.

Nymr83 Oct 31 2005 10:44 PM

maybe Depodesta and Epstein can switch jobs now?

metirish Oct 31 2005 11:05 PM

WOW, that's a shocker for the Sox, I doubt LA would want him, I read today that they are going to interview Pat Gillick and Ed Wade....damn the Sox are imploding, amazing stuff.

Edgy DC Nov 01 2005 09:51 AM

Girardi being a catcher makes him better managerial material? Catchers may (or may not) lead all positions in managers, but I'd happily bet that secondbasemen aren't far behind --- especially if you count washout shortstops who spent the second half of their careers at secondbase, like Valentine.

smg58 Nov 01 2005 10:20 AM

Epstein might not have been perfect, but I don't see why putting a World Series winner on the field in Boston didn't earn him more respect from his own front office. They offered a lot more money to Beane, who still hasn't produced a team that's won a playoff series. Granted there's a huge payroll difference, but THE RED SOX WON A WORLD SERIES on Epstein's watch. I don't get this one at all.

Edgy DC Nov 01 2005 10:27 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 01 2005 02:39 PM

2005 Mangers by Primary Playing Position Catcher (9) Bruce Bochy John Gibbons Bob Melvin Jerry Narron Tony Peña Mike Scoscia Joe Torre (He wasn't versatile; he was a catcher who fell) Eric Wedge (Mostly a DH in his short career, actually) Ned Yost Corner Outfielder (8) Dusty Baker Clint Hurdle (Played all over, but in his days as a regular, was a cornerman) Charlie Manuel Lloyd McClendon Dave Miley Lou Pinella Frank Robinson Jim Tracey Second Base (3) Tony LaRussa Sam Perlozzo Willie Randolph Shortstop (3) Ron Gardenhire Ozzie Guillen Alan Trammell Third Base (3) Buddy Bell Bobby Cox Ken Macha No Playing Career (3) Jack McKeon Bob Schaefer Buck Showalter Utility Infielder (2) Phil Garner (Actually a starter at second and third, but more games at second) Pete Mackanin Utility Outfielder (2) Felipe Alou Lee Mazzilli First Base (2) Terry Francona Mike Hargrove I learned a lot here. A lot more corner outfielders than I realized are in managing --- many of them people of color, some of whom started their careers under less than ideal circumstances. Even cutting that category in half, as it represents two positions, still makes it the second-largest category. No centerfielders seem to get the not, though (although you could certainly count Mazzilli). I speculate that they are so oft considered to be fine athletes, that their baseball minds aren't respected, even if they should be.

metirish Nov 01 2005 10:31 AM

That is amazing, you never hear about corner outfielders when people talk about this stuff....I guess first basemen are not considered managerial material.

rpackrat Nov 01 2005 02:28 PM

Not that it affects your point, but Mike Hargrove played substantially more at 1B (1378 games) than he did in the OF (167 games).

Edgy DC Nov 01 2005 02:37 PM

Of course. Don't know why I did that. Allow me to edit.

Frayed Knot Nov 01 2005 02:55 PM

Also consider that there are twice as many starting corner OFers as there are catchers (and OFers in general over catchers at about a 5/2 ratio) so that backstops are still the most likely types to jump on the managerial track. Another thing that helps Girardi's case (and makes this more than a over-simplified case of black vs white) is that he's more educated than most of his peers. Being an engineering major at Northwestern doesn't tend to hurt your resume in too many jobs - even in baseball.

Edgy DC Nov 01 2005 03:01 PM

As I wrote: ]Even cutting that category in half, as it represents two positions, still makes it the second-largest category. And these are guys who never (or almost never) played center. Full time centerfielders and part-time centerfielders are in a different category elsewher on the list. So the typical ratio would be closer to 3:2 than 5:2.

sharpie Nov 01 2005 03:21 PM

No pitchers, either. I guess they think that non-pitchers can understand what pitchers go through but not the other way around.

Edgy DC Nov 01 2005 05:09 PM

So, what, you think Epstein is going to Philadelphia?

Frayed Knot Nov 01 2005 10:57 PM

Nope, Pat Gillick goes to Philly where conventional wisdom had Gerry Hunsicker as the front runner. There are rumors about Epstein talking to the Dodgers but those are unconfirmed.

metirish Nov 05 2005 11:24 PM

It seems not many people want the Dodgers GM job but that could be good for Kim Ng..do I remember correctly that Duke wanted to bring her to the Mets a few years back, wasn't this the same person that one of the Mets "super scouts" insulted the year before? ] GM search might lead to historic hire By Tony Jackson, Staff Writer The list of people who don't want to become the next general manager of the Dodgers continues to grow. Although owner Frank McCourt was scheduled to speak by telephone on Friday night with former Texas GM John Hart, there were indications Hart's interest in the job was tepid, at best. That could leave Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng as the leading candidate for the job. Ng, who would become the first female GM in major-league history, will be interviewed for the position. When asked for her reaction to getting that interview during Friday's media conference call to discuss the signing of outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to a one-year contract, Ng declined to address the matter. "We would rather comment on other stuff as opposed to my situation," she said. Hart, who remained with the Rangers as a consultant after stepping down as GM last month, would join Pat Gillick, Gerry Hunsicker, Kevin Towers and possibly Theo Epstein as veteran GMs and possible candidates for the Dodgers job who weren't nearly as interested in the Dodgers as the Dodgers were rumored to be in them. Rather than wait to hear from the Dodgers, Hunsicker accepted a front-office position with the woeful Tampa Bay Devil Rays. That speaks volumes about the decline of what was once one of baseball's proudest franchises, one that now seems to be in such a bizarre state of disarray that the ongoing search for a GM has become a buyer's market. Cruz returns: The switch-hitting Cruz, who batted .301 after the Dodgers acquired him from Boston on Aug. 9 for minor-league infielder Tony Schrager, agreed to terms on a one-year contract with a club option for 2007. Terms were not disclosed, but the deal is believed to carry a $3.2 million guarantee. Cruz was eligible for free agency, but hadn't filed. The move probably cements the anticipated end of Milton Bradley's turbulent stint in Los Angeles, because it likely means Cruz will be the everyday right fielder with J.D. Drew moving to center, which was Bradley's old spot. The Dodgers are expected to try to trade Bradley. But if they can't, they are expected to non-tender him and allow him, his surgically repaired left knee and his anger-management problem to test the free-agent market. "It's something we still have to decide on," said Roy Smith, the Dodgers' vice president of scouting and player development. "Milton has to get healthy, especially physically. There are some issues there. As far as where his rehab is right now, we're pleased." Cruz, who will turn 32 in April, will receive a 2006 salary of $2.91 million. The club option is at $4.5 million, with a $300,000 buyout.

Edgy DC Nov 05 2005 11:38 PM

Milton Bradley, future Washington National. You heard it here first.

metirish Nov 07 2005 11:48 AM

WOW the Dodgers are a mess, what was once not long ago a model franchise is now a complete mess.... ] Dodgers' Course Remains Unsettled Tim Brown On the eve of baseball's general manager meetings, I was wondering what Frank McCourt would say to an employee who changed the course of the family franchise, had no alternate plan, and then hid behind the PR people. After, "Get out," I mean. And wondering whether two years ago, had he been offered the organization and its holdings and found it to be in the condition it is today, would he have hocked everything and bought in? Perhaps not. In the last week, the pool of veteran, talented and available general managers has been drained to ankle level, and McCourt is still out there, sloshing around, never having had a shot at Pat Gillick or Gerry Hunsicker. Maybe he can talk Theo Epstein into taking over Paul DePodesta's new mortgage in Santa Monica, but as a friend of both young, unemployed general managers observed, "They're the same guy, cut from the same cloth. The only difference is, one went to the division series and the other went to the World Series. Maybe Theo's got more of an edge to him, but he's not as clever as Paul." Great. Start printing the nameplate. Once, it was one of the golden jobs in the game. Now, the Macy's makeup counter has less turnover. It is McCourt's team. He gets to wear the nice suits and hang the thick glass doors between himself and the help, whatever their names are. He gets to fire his top baseball man on the eve of the free-agent season, nine days before the GM meetings, at a time when, to paraphrase Joe Namath, it's closing time and John Schuerholz just ain't walkin' in. In case it wasn't utterly obvious before, baseball has come to a new era. There's money to be had again, and the current organizational plan is only as good as last night's attendance, and next week's bank statement. It is the secure and steadfast leader who trusts his baseball people. In a $5-billion industry, it takes courage. But some try. As one owner said recently, "I'm not going to meddle in baseball affairs. I'm going to put my faith and confidence in the person I hire, but I'll also hold him accountable. Of course, there will be decisions the GM will want my input on. There will be those rare decisions where I'll be a consultant. But 99.9% of what's done on the baseball side will be handled by baseball professionals." Wait, that was Frank McCourt. Less than two years ago. So far, that 0.1% has included a lot of baseball-professional work, and it's that time of year again, when the baseball professionals do that baseball-professional stuff, such as putting next season's club together. That leaves Kim Ng and Roy Smith to continue DePodesta's vision, create their own vision, or predict the new guy's vision, with the next deadline arriving on the weekend, when teams may begin negotiating with other teams' free agents. The general managers and substitute general managers arrive today in Indian Wells, where they'll spend three or four days considering a thin free-agent class and taking numbers outside Scott Boras' suite. The dearth of free agents is expected to feed a lively trade market and, again, the Dodger baseball professionals will have to wing it. The Dodgers allowed Jeff Weaver to drift into free agency, so they require at least one starting pitcher along with an outfielder, assuming they stand firm on their Milton Bradley decision, and at least one corner infielder. They will find top-end free agents resistant to a franchise that carried 91 losses, front-office upheaval and no manager or coaching staff into the off-season. Their best scenario would be a liberated, thrill-seeking Hideki Matsui, who for the Dodgers would play every day, hit most of the time and become, with Eric Gagne, the face of the organization, but that would take a big-time sales job by somebody. More likely, Matsui returns to the New York Yankees, and the Dodgers look over Brian Giles and, in a lurch, Johnny Damon. Nomar Garciaparra would play third base for them, and they'd be wise to make one more call to Gillick to see how he will resolve the Jim Thome-Ryan Howard issue in Philadelphia. The Dodgers believe help is on the way from the minors, but they can't take another fourth-place hit while waiting. And avoiding that is going to cost them in dollars and, maybe, one or two of those prospects. Interestingly, the most popular franchise representatives in the desert today will come from the Boston Red Sox, who also don't have a general manager, but, for the moment, do have Manny Ramirez. The Angels and New York Mets appear to have the goods and the standing to acquire the slugger, who has the right to veto trades. The Dodgers aren't expected to be players there, but have plenty of other work ahead. In that, and for now, Smith and Ng are on their own. If they're lucky.

Yancy Street Gang Nov 07 2005 11:52 AM

Kim Ng, of course, has a small role of her own in the history of the Mets. A no-prize to the first person to remember what that role was.

metirish Nov 07 2005 11:54 AM

Yeah I mentioned it a few posts above this one...

Valadius Nov 07 2005 11:55 AM

Was it Bill Singer who made those comments about her? Goldis' partner in crime?

Edgy DC Nov 07 2005 12:02 PM

What crime did they partner in?

Valadius Nov 07 2005 12:03 PM

Well they WERE hired at the same time... I remember reading an article at some point about them.

Edgy DC Nov 07 2005 12:05 PM

God help me if I get listed as a partner in crime with anybody I've been hired at the same time as.

metirish Nov 09 2005 10:36 AM

Now this would be interesting if it ever happened... ]Jim Williams Examiner Coumnist It appears the Nats will have local ownership after all and two well-known names could be headed to D.C. to take over the baseball side of things. Sources close to both Major League Baseball and Wall Street have confirmed the ownership bid of Jeffery Smulyan is in trouble. It’s not because he lacks money or support inside MLB. Rather, Smulyan has been unable to win key friends in D.C. Smulyan’s public push for the team had him in Washington more often then some members of Congress. But he failed to convince key local government members he is the right guy to own the Nationals. That puts the Fred Malek/Jeffery Zients group back in front, though the quiet but impressive Lerner family group has made up a great deal of ground in the last three weeks. Some baseball insiders are saying the Lerners have passed Smulyan and are gaining ground on Malek/Zients. The Lerner family is low-key but powerful, just what MLB owners love. Speculation persists as to who will run the team once the sale is consummated. Well, it looks very likely that former Red Sox architect Theo Epstein will become the next general manager. The odds-on favorite to be team president? Some guy named Cal Ripken. Sources inside baseball with knowledge of the two remaining local ownership groups claim both have been in touch with Epstein and Ripken. However, it’s not a package deal. It just seems to be working out that they will be together in D.C. Having Ripken as team president would be a huge help in the cable deal as a spokesman for Comcast. The fact he is loved in D.C., combined with his ability to market the team, makes him a must hire. The Malek/Zients and the Lerner family groups both know Ripken is the perfect choice for that position. This past Sunday, newspapers in both Boston and New York reported that there is an 85 percent or better chance the team of Epstein and Ripken will be part of the Nationals new front office. But where does that leave incumbent Nats General Manager Jim Bowden, who recently signed a six-month contract extension? He is considered a real contender for the open GM jobs with the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. My how things have changed. If MLB would have sold the team at the All-Star break it is likely that Malek/Zients would have won the battle for the Nationals. Then we heard Labor Day was going to be the sale date. If so, the winner would have been Jeff Smulyan. Now we are looking for the sale to happen this month. Some say it is a dead heat between Malek/Zients and the Lerner family. Whichever group wins has a lingering issue to tackle. You may recall the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network? Well, there is still no deal with Comcast, no meetings are scheduled and MASN’s only programming is Nationals baseball. So the first items of business for the new owners are to jumpstart the cable deal while expanding the radio network. We still want our Nats TV. Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy award winning TV producer, director and writer.

sharpie Nov 10 2005 11:06 AM

Bobby Valentine to sign extension with Chiba Lotte http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2219428

Edgy DC Nov 13 2005 10:39 PM

Well, that whole Valentine to Tampa Bay scenario didn't quite play out. The Rays have a [url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051112&content_id=1267752&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb]new manager[/url].

metirish Nov 13 2005 11:05 PM

No need for Bobby to come back, he signed a 4 year $16 million contract with Chiba, he has never been as popular, and he was smart enough to see that a dream job like the Dodgers was a no go with the mess they are with the McCourts..

MFS62 Nov 14 2005 07:59 AM

The Booby V story confirmed in today's Norwalk Advocate. See the link I posted in the Rico Brogna thread. Oh, OK, for those of you too lazy to go there: http://www.norwalkadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nor.valentine8nov14,0,5112124.story?coll=nor-news-local-headlines Later

Edgy DC Nov 16 2005 08:03 AM

Ned Colletti, Giants asstant GM since 1997, is the new Dodger GM. Turncoat.

Valadius Nov 28 2005 11:00 PM

Our own Manny Acta has been given permission to interview for the Dodgers' managerial opening.