WHB 810 speculating on Buddy Bell Firing, Press Conference at 4:30 today.

by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on Aug 1, 2007 5:19 PM EDT Comment 88 comments

Well, there will no longer be a need to fire Buddy Bell. Sounds like he is gonna step down at the end of the year ---- Press Conference at 4:30.

They are trying to speculate on whether he is being forced, whether he is still ill, or whether he was looking for a long term security offer (contract) and they said no.

Discuss. :)

Happier Times

Update [2007-8-1 17:20:46 by royalsreview]:

Official story here.

Here was what I had to say about the Bell hiring, way back in 2005. It was an age of romance.

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Comments

Finally the debate will be over

Then the new guy will be hired. And the bashing of him will begin in March. If the team is losing, regardless of the reason, the bashing of this man will be endless and frequently baseless.

God help him if he doesn't trot out the same lineup every day.

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Easy hoss

A manager who is not 157th out of 158 managers in ML history in winning percentage [minimum 1,000 games] will get something of a grace period.

If folks are being asked to reserve criticism of any new manager [fair], might we also reserve criticism of those skeptical of the new man before they've even had a chance to say a word?

A mutual grace period, yes?

Best to Mr. Bell and his family. A stand-up guy whatever his merits as a manager.

by howserfan on Aug 1, 2007 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see why Buddy would announce this now

Unless it was represented to him beforehand that GMDM and the front office did not see him as part of the organization after the season.

by nycroyal on Aug 1, 2007 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would bet on hiring Joe Girardi

if the Yankees don't fire Torre.

by nycroyal on Aug 1, 2007 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Girardi...

I'd like to see him in here, I think.

-- Royals Delegate to the land of the Salmon and Moose (Seattle)

by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on Aug 1, 2007 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Girardi

Loves smallball, bunting, sacrificing, stolen bases, the hit-and-run. He also doesn't like being bound by pitch counts for his starting pitchers.

I don't want any part of him.

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok.

Who would your pick be, and how do you rationalize it? I will be back with my optimum manager and why here in just a few, as well.

-- Royals Delegate to the land of the Salmon and Moose (Seattle)

by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on Aug 1, 2007 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

My whole reason for not firing Bell is because I thought he was mediocre and I don't know of anyone else who we know enough about to say that he's better.

But there are some guys whose philosophies I've heard enough that I really think they are the wrong guy. Girardi does color for many Yankee games and so I've heard his philosophies on small ball, valuing veteran players highly and how "pitch counts don't mean a darn thing." So I know enough about him to know that he'd be awful for this team.

Pendleton and White were good players and seemed like nice guys, but do I think they'd make good managers? I have no idea. I don't see how any of us could give anything more than a guess on that.

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea

I'm looking at a short list I compiled awhile ago, and to be honest, I don't really know much about any of them and none get me that excited.

I think I read Trey Hillman (former Yankees minor league skipper and now in Japan) is a student of Moneyball, but has adapted to a small ball game in Japan because it is better suited for that game. I like a guy willing to adapt like that.

Other than that, I have no idea what Frank White or Terry Pendleton or anyone else would be like as manager.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Supposedly

Also has a combative personality.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Other than the pitch count thing.. I don't have

a problem with any of the above.
We have been doing a lot worse for the last season and half. If it is Girardi ...bring him on.

I for one will not be complaining about the new manager. Any new hire is due some settling in time. I hope with Buddy leaving that we may get a new set of coaches.

by grudz69 on Aug 1, 2007 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you want Girardi playing vets?

Girardi talks all the time about how much he values veteran leadership and that their value "goes beyond stats". Do you want him playing vets over our young, developing players?

And you're really not going to criticize him? If you don't like his lineups, if you don't like who pinch hits or doesn't pitch hit, if you don't like his pitching changes? You're not going to criticize him? How long did it take you to start criticizing Bell?

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He didn't play vets in Florida...

And, if you don't have them you can't play them. Remember, other than Grudz, all of our ageless wonders will be gone after next season.

by grudz69 on Aug 1, 2007 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You talk about

people complaining about the mgr or whatever, and I do not post alot but I do read the posts, and it seems to me you are the one that does the most complaining, whether it's about others' opinions or their desire for the mgr to do something different. Being a fan means you care enough to have an opinion and voice that opinion in a forum like this. I don't think anyone on this site thinks he is always right, and much of the banter is fun and good-spirited, but your comments are quite sanctimonious. Maybe you often challenge others' opinions just to play devils advocate. Whatever the reason, I find it boorish. Lighten up Francis and realize that your opinion has no more merit than anyone else's.

by buckwild on Aug 1, 2007 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This post directed at

nyroyal

by buckwild on Aug 1, 2007 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was starting to tear up there for awhile...

I thought you meant me. My buttom lip is now back where it should be. Don't be to hard NYRoyal...remember he lives in NY and that would make anyone cranky....

by grudz69 on Aug 2, 2007 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank god Grudz is never cranky

This site's resident curmudgeon. :)

by NYRoyal on Aug 2, 2007 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

amen NYRoyal

by royalsreview on Aug 1, 2007 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where is FireBell?

Starting a parade?

Seriously, I think Buddy is a great guy (although flawed manager) and its nice to see this all handled with some class allowing Buddy to save face and take a senior position, while allowing Dayton to hire his own guy.

Well played Dayton.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess this qualifies as blog-whoring

But here are my requirements:

http://www.royalsreview.com/comments/2007/6/21/13528/0983/35#35

I don't know enough about Girardi to say if he fits the bill.

by marbotty on Aug 1, 2007 4:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

to echo.... FireBell...

LETS HIRE YOU!!!!!!

by grudz69 on Aug 1, 2007 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

see... told you we agreed about stuff

by marbotty on Aug 1, 2007 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then Girardi's not your guy

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But, HOW do you really feel about Girardi?

Why do you hate him so? He won't be my guy. He will be the manager of the team and as long as he doesn't eat one seed at a time then I am okay with that. I loved him as the Cubs catcher. But to be honest I don't think it will he Joe. I think GMDM has a couple cards up his sleeve and I would lean towards someone out of the Braves organization.

by grudz69 on Aug 1, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking its either

Wlad Balentien or Chin Lung Hu.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why do I hate him?

What is your deal with love and hate? I saw Bell is average and you have said multiple times that I "love him." Then I point to specific problems with Girardi and you say I "hate him." It isn't about love or hate.

Girardi has discussed his baseball philosphy on Yankee broadcasts. This includes:

Loving smallball, bunts, sacrificing, trading outs for bases, lots of stolen base attempts.
Valuing veterans over young players.
Downplaying the importance of pitch counts and "just letting pitchers pitch."

Those three things stink on ice and make for a crappy manager.

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Dontrelle Willis, Ricky Nolasco, and Scott Olsen can all vouch for #3 as they have been out for most of the season (Johnson, Nolasco, and Sanchez) or they have been plain terrible (Willis and Olsen). Thats just too many too be pure coincidence.

by wildthang on Aug 1, 2007 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

An early list

I have no idea what Dayton's candidate list looks like, but mine would have:

Joe Girardi, former Marlins manager
Art Howe, former Astros/A's/Mets manager
Terry Pendleton, Braves hitting coach
Larry Dierker, former Astros manager
Tony DeFrancesco, A's minor league manager
Joel Skinner, Indians minor league manager
Trey Hillman, former Yankees minor league manager/Japanese League manager
Bobby Valentine, former Rangers/Mets manager, currently in Japan (long shot to come here)
Tom Kelly, former Twins manager (worth a call, don't ya think?)

Others I wouldn't consider, but could be considered:
Buck Showalter, former Yankees/Diamondbacks/Rangers manager
Larry Bowa, former Phillies manager
Dusty Baker, former Giants/Cubs manager
Don Baylor, former Rockies manager
Frank White, former Royals minor league manager
Jaime Quirk, Rockies bench coach

Guys that could become available this winter:
Phil Garner
Tony LaRussa!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Your list is incomplete

Hal McRae conspicuously absent.

by marbotty on Aug 1, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was going to put him on there

But a typewriter flew through the air and hit me in the head.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How badly did the typewriter smell of Jim Beam?

by marbotty on Aug 1, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is this a twist on

"my dog threw up in my shoes"?

by grudz69 on Aug 1, 2007 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't that....

A reference to when Hal blew up at the group of reporters, then flung the typewriter across the office....

-- Royals Delegate to the land of the Salmon and Moose (Seattle)

by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on Aug 1, 2007 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wheeeee!!!

So why didn't you pinch hit Brett for Keith Miller?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kamDqL-AGzI

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Classic

I was 13 when that happened, I think... Maybe 14... My grandma saw that happen on the news and said "That isn't your favorite team, is it?"... This is the first time I think I ever practiced selective disclosure. I said "No, grandma, it isn't."

Ahhh... Hal McRae.

-- Royals Delegate to the land of the Salmon and Moose (Seattle)

by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on Aug 1, 2007 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it wasn't a typewriter

it was a tape recorder and it was a great scene.

by buddyball on Aug 1, 2007 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

all time great meltdown

by royalsreview on Aug 1, 2007 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

now that I watch the video again

I think I may be wrong about him drinking Jim Beam.

It appears now that the bottle he's cradling at the end looks suspiciously like an enormous bottle of Popov.

by marbotty on Aug 1, 2007 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have heard good things about

DeFransico. He comes from a small market organization. He understands and does well with young players. I don't think he is chained to small ball but is a free thinker.

But, I think GMDM has a surprise for us...

by grudz69 on Aug 1, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PLEASE

NO TONY LA RUSSA

by natemaestro on Aug 1, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Star article

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/214535.html

"It started last year when I got sick," said Bell, who underwent surgery in September to remove a cancerous growth in his throat.

"My priorities changed real quickly. Not seeing my grandkids became important. When I grew up, my dad wasn't there. When my kids grew up, I wasn't there. Now my grandkids are growing up, and I haven't seen them.".....

"We're going to take our time and do a thorough search," Moore said. "That's all I can say about it. I'm not one of those guys who has a list of guys who are ready to be managers. I'm just not geared that way.

"I don't like to be locked into preconceived notions. I never have. You do that, you start to narrow your focus and you get burned."

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 5:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good comments....

To Buddy... I hope you have a good life with your family. Illness does change your priorities in life and makes baseball seem like a very minor blimp on the road of life.

See, I can be positive and nurturing towards Buddy. And, yes I will still complain about him the rest of the season.

by grudz69 on Aug 1, 2007 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

You're going to complain about Buddy for the rest of the season? I'm shocked.

And by the way, I don't believe for a second that you're not going to bitch about the next guy. I have a feeling you've complained about every Royals manager since Howser. And maybe even Howser...

Just a feeling.

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry.... you are wrong... remember when you

assume things you make an ass of you and me....

I started with Pena and haven't stopped. AND, yes... I will give the new manager a month or two to get his feet wet. I hope I see better managerial and seed eating skills from him than from Bell.

by grudz69 on Aug 1, 2007 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You started with Pena?

Out of curiosity...

There were certainly things to criticize about Bell and Pena. But how can you criticize those two and not Tony Muser, probably the worst manager in Royals history? Please tell me you don't think Muser was a decent manager. Please...

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NY Royal

Sanctimonious much?

Grudz is correct. Bell is not a good manager - check the scoreboard, dude. History speaks. With that being said, Bell seems like a genuinely decent fella - best of luck to him and his family.

by HenKarvey on Aug 1, 2007 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I said I started with Pena....

do I have to spell things out... (and continued on through to Buddo.) Muser was a good hitting coach. But, being a coach and being a manager is a vastly different job. He just didn't have what it takes to manage a team...any team. I could say the same for Buddo.

by grudz69 on Aug 2, 2007 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So Muser couldn't manage a team...

...but you didn't complain about him? You're making less sense than usual, Grudz.

by NYRoyal on Aug 3, 2007 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did complain about Tony... you just

weren't around then to hear it. I would take him back today as our hitting coach. He is alot better than the cardboard cut out we have as the coach now.

I am annoying and confusing am I? Gee, I am just the bane of your existence aren't I.

by grudz69 on Aug 3, 2007 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You said you started with Pena

You are being extra confusing now. I guessed that you always complained about Royals managers. And then you said, that you started complaining about Royals managers with Pena and then Bell. Just a couple posts up, "I started with Pena". That's you, right? Now you're saying you complained about Muser too. I bet you complained about Bob Boone as well...and Hal McRae and John Wathan and Billy Gardner and...

by NYRoyal on Aug 3, 2007 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will admit that I did complain

about how Moses parted the Red Sea. But, I meant it the most nuturing way. Is that far enough back for you?

Have a good time at the game?

by grudz69 on Aug 3, 2007 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are a knee-jerk complainer

As long as the Royals have had a losing record (and probably even when they had a winning record), I'm sure you have complained about the manager. It is what you do. That's the kind of fan you are. You quibble with lineups, strategy, pitching changes, everything. You complain about statements he makes, statements he doesn't make. I'm sure you've done it for probably every Royals manager. You'll do it with the next guy, no matter who it is. It's just a reflex for you.

It was good to see the Royals in person. Unfortunately the game really stunk. We've got two more though.

by NYRoyal on Aug 4, 2007 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another quote

The thing is," he said, "I can't know what I know and keep talking to guys about next year. I can't do that. I'd feel dirty. You know, I think the players would understand. But I can't do that. That's too important to me."

What the hell does that mean? That Dayton already told him he wasn't coming back?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 1, 2007 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It means he knows he's not coming back

He knows he's not managing next year, so it feels wrong to talk to players about being with the team next year.

That doesn't say anything about why the decision was made or who made the decision.

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Manager's Importance

I tend to think a manager's job isn't so much about the strategy, as it is about managing people. We need a manager who is good at managing people and their personalities. I believe the strategy side should be more determined by the numbers. Most people with baseball common sense realize that you shouldn't have players stealing unless they are successful 70% of the time, high pitch counts lead to trouble, sacrifice bunting is usually a wasted out, etc. I think the manager should let the stats determine the strategy. Also, a manager with common sense would be nice, one who doesn't bench John Buck all the time in favor of Jason Larue.

by sabeeler on Aug 1, 2007 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

When Tony Pena quit

I was praying that the Royals would hire Jim Leyland. I don't know if Allard considered him an option at the time, but he's clearly not available anymore.

I can't think of anyone off-hand who excites me as a prospective manager. Maybe Dayton has someone in the Braves organization in mind.

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Aug 1, 2007 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm on record as being a

Frank White fan.

Just thought he did a great job at Wichita helping several of the current core develop - that could be the perfect candidate for our next stage, i.e., growth as big leaguers.

by loyal2s dad on Aug 1, 2007 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes!

Finally!

Thank you Moore.

What hath Bell wrought?

by FireBell on Aug 1, 2007 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

leo?

no one has mentioned leo mazzone on any lists here, despite him being an atlanta guy. we all know how dayton loves those guys, but he should love leo for all the right reasons.

dayton's love for pitchers
leo's ability to stay out of the spotlight
down and away
bobby cox must have rubbed something onto leo at some point, never mind sam perlozzo

pat

by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Aug 1, 2007 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mazzone is a good idea

In the very least he would help our pitchers. I'd take that. Hopefully he'd have a good bench coach help him with in-game decisions.

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i mentioned his name

awhile back in one of firebell's posts.

i think he could really help out the young pitchers and has the braves connection GMDM loves.

i, for one, would love to have leo over and he would most likely be my #1 choice.

by rockchalk on Aug 1, 2007 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I hope Buddy is OK health wise. As a manager, he was just alright not spectacular, not awful. It seems like there will be a lot of choices come fall and at least at that time, we can take our time and choose the best canidate available. My short list would be:
1.) Terry Pendleton - great job as Braves Hitting coach.
2.) Joe Girardi - for the way he handled the young team in Florida.
3.) Buck Showalter - always builds winners out of young squads (Texas, Arizona).

by lordbyronk on Aug 1, 2007 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

future pick

I think, given his track record, someone with an Atlanta connection would be a good guess. Pendleton is my totally uninformed guess.

by buddyball on Aug 1, 2007 5:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

please no pendleton

i see him as a worse version of buddisimo

What hath Bell wrought?

by FireBell on Aug 1, 2007 6:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who do you want?

And how long will it take after the new guy is hired before you change your name to "Fire ___"?

by NYRoyal on Aug 1, 2007 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buddy wasn't that bad...

..you could second guess any manager's move. Joe Torre was worthless before he became the "genius" hall of famer in NY. It's relative to the talent.

I see Frank White/Joe Girardi. No argument with either.
No Pendleton, please, enough Braves.

by 8hrdrive on Aug 1, 2007 6:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bell

The hire of Bell was the day I came to the conclusion that Baird was hopeless as a GM.

by BlueEyesAustin on Aug 1, 2007 6:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Buddy was a caretaker

We probably weren't going to win with him, ever. But he didn't destroy our young talent. He did a decent job of getting them to play hard every night. Taught them to be professionals. The talent level was just never enough to win anyway.

Now that we have a base of talent and the ownership will (hopefully) be asked to fork over some decent contracts to FAs in the offseason, the writing was probably on the wall that we needed a manager who could win, not just "develop". Buddy steps down with no shame and we look for someone to take the next step.

by Big Guy on Aug 1, 2007 6:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed 100%.

this is what i have been saying all along.

buddy wasnt a horrible manager, but was not more than average either. he didnt screw up any young players (besides possibly huber) and didnt hurt any arms. he made the standard decisions that most other managers made and didnt do anything too abnormal.

good luck buddy...

by rockchalk on Aug 1, 2007 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bargaining Chip

Who can we trade to the Braves for a manager?

by Tarnished Crown on Aug 1, 2007 6:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe that was part of the discount...

on the Davies deal. There was a MTBNL thrown in.

by Big Guy on Aug 1, 2007 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about...

...a tanned, rested, re-charged Mike Hargrove?

by cookierojas73 on Aug 1, 2007 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hargrove

Is as bad a tactician as Bell, only he's managed more talented teams.

I'd lose confidence in GMDM if he were hired.

My first vote would be Bobby Valentine, but I think it would take a lot to pry him away from Japan. He loves it there.

by nycroyal on Aug 1, 2007 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Did Gator

Get back?

D. DeJesus cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .280
M. Grudzielanek 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
R. Gload 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .281
B. Butler dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .305
M. Teahen rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .280
A. Gordon 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241
J. Smith ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .209
J. Buck c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241
J. Gathright lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .315
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Minnesota
AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg
J. Tyner rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .290
J. Bartlett ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .260
J. Mauer c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300
J. Morneau 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .297
T. Hunter cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .288
J. Kubel dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241
L. Ford lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .239
B. Buscher 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
A. Casilla 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Being a fan is irrational, but what is the alternative?

by philofthenorth on Aug 1, 2007 6:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

we must have put reggie on the DL

by rockchalk on Aug 1, 2007 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

possible scenario

I was just kidding about Hargrove...that would be a nightmare hire!

I like Valentine a lot but it would seem like KC would be a strange fit for him, especially given the sweet deal he has in Japan. Did anyone read the SI article about him a few months ago? He's absolutely revered over there.

In terms of possible scenarios re. how the Bell resignation went down, I thought of the following: Since Bell's deal is up at the end of this year, no doubt he probably approached Moore about an extension both at the start of this year and probably at other points, perhaps recently. Although Moore clearly likes Bell personally, I would imagine he was reluctant to extend Buddy, who then put two and two together that he wouldn't be back after this year and decided to go this route. Just a theory...who knows. Let's just hope that Moore makes a good decision on the next manager...it's a big hire with a number of good young players in place and the team approaching being competitive.

by cookierojas73 on Aug 1, 2007 7:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs