Sox Fire Three Coaches, Little To Name Own Staff

[SmedIndy]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1004/1441283.html

Keep hmrsf away from the sharp objects - Dewey was one of those let go.

Just two coaches remain, with Stanley on leave.

[gyb13]

"Port said he expected all three fired coaches would be considered for other positions in the organization."

worry not, hmrsf, there's still a shot for dewey...

[b-ball-lunachik]

that stinks -- for those of you who don't know, my cat is named Dewey after Evans! I love that guy -- first they don't retire his number and then this firing...

I still don't think Little is safe until they pick a GM...I guess we'll see...

[hmrsf]

That is too bad. I did a lot of Dewey watching this year. He seemed to have the attention of the players. One year is not enough to evaluate.

I am sure he will stay within the team but I will miss seeing him at all the home games.

[sweaver]

Originally posted by hmrsf
One year is not enough to evaluate.

Ya know, I think there's an echo in here.

Apparently, Little and Evans did not get along. Don't know why not. Managers always want their own cronies around.

[SmedIndy]

Everyone always clamors for the alumni to come back as coaches...but then what happens when the alumni aren't performing well, or have a conflict with the boss?

Little has every right to name his own coaches. It's a shame that Evans had to be part of the collateral damage in this, since he was 100% Red Sox.

God speed to Dewey, but he may be better served going back into the organization and waiting....

[hmrsf]

I don't think it was a matter of Evans and Little not getting along. I think it was a matter of Little needing to pick his own coaches. As much as I love Evans, and I clearly do, Little should pick his own staff.

This article summs it up well. Evans is class. He will be back with the Sox. Just wish I could see him at the home games.


http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/..._bos&fext=.jsp

[pathogan]

...I also agree that a MGR. should be able to pick his own coaches[the Mets are aprime example of the gm doing what should be the mgrs. job] Still, there should be SOMETHING for as classy a player as evans in that organization.Or any organization

[sweaver]

A manager should have INPUT into the coaching staff. Some managers, say like Billy Martin, are inclined to hire their cronies and drinking buddies, who may not do any actual work for the team.

[hmrsf]

The organization can see the class I am sure. It is not the past numbers but this season numbers that stand out. Evans earned his job. I see a promotion. He was a roving hitting instructor last year. He may be a specialized personalized hitting instructor this year. I foresee him having Little's job in years to come.

Here is a great article.http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/r...ox10052002.htm

[VNV Nation]

I can definitely see Evans as a manager.

[hmrsf]

Originally posted by VNV Nation
I can definitely see Evans as a manager.

Me too! Maybe that is why I am taking this so well. My family is amazed. My co workers are in disbelief. People thought I would flip out. (This many open bigger and better things for Dewey. He has earned it.)

I wonder if Net would allow one exception in changing in the custom avatar. I have the Evans the hitting coach avatar. WHEN he makes manager, I would like to do an Evans the manager avatar change.

[soxfan121]

First off, there is no stronger indicator of Grady Little's job security for 2003 than firing several coaches and giving Grady "input" into the makeup of the coaching staff next season. It is all but official: Grady will be back with the Sox next season.

Second, Grady specifically mentioned Charlie Manuel. IMHO, Manuel's credentials as a hitting coach are fantastic and would be an excellent hire for that role. Manuel was the hitting coach in CLE under Hargrove and the Indians developed and maintained some of the best hitters in the game under Charlie's tutelage. In addtion, Grady was Charlie's bench coach in CLE, so the two have a good working relationship. I would expect Manuel's hiring to bring good results on and off the field next season.

Third, Mike Cubbage was retained - and it was hinted that he could move from the 3B coaching box to the role of bench coach next season. Again, I think this is a very solid move. Cubbage is an aggressive coach - his minor league teams used the hit-and-run, steals, and skills of the various hitters very well (accoding to the "experts" I've heard) - so Cubby will be able to interject these ideas, and among the 3 "offensive" coaches (Manuel, Cubby, and Grady) they will have balance and experience.

Fourth, Tony Cloninger stays on in the role of pitching coach. Tony C has been (unfairly) compared to Joe Kerrigan, who is obviously one of the brightest pitching minds in baseball. However, what Tony C lacks in statistical knowledge, he makes up for with people skills. Tony C communicates very well and he seems to have the trust of his "big" pitchers, which Kerrigan did not. I think Tony could use some help from the bullpen coach - which I'll get to in a second.

Fifth, Dwight Evans, Tommy Harper, Bob Kipper, and Mike Stanley all did fine jobs in the tenure with the Red Sox. Evans is Sox royalty and has a dedicated and passionate fan base on hs own. No Red Sox fan can ever say a disparaging word about Dewey the player or the man. As hitting coach tho, Dewey was not good. Granted, a hitting coach is only as good as the players he has to work with and never gets the credit and only the blame. However, Dewey failed to impress upon the "teachable" players on the roster the importance of pitch selection and discipline. Shea Hillenbrand, in particular, should have been the hitting coach's pet project - but Hillenbrand regressed every month of the season, not visibly "learning" at the plate or throughout the season. On the basis of Hillenbrand's non-progress alone, I woulda replaced Dewey. And I'd have felt bad about it.

Harper and Kipper were simply sacrifical lambs. Harper is a very good man, classy and humble. He relates well with players and is a good baserunning coach. Quite simply, Tommy Harper is as classy as they come and I hope Tommy gets another job somehwere. Kipper - well, I guess he kept the bullpen water bucket filled. He certainly didn't do much coaching in the bullpen - at least not by what happened on the field.

Mike Stanley left of his own accord, frustrated by the transistion from player to coach and by the inability to influence the action on the field. Stanley is also a great guy and I wish hime well. He has several young children and expressed an interest in being with them and to gain some perspective away from the game before returing as a coach. I would not be surprised to see Stanley back, as a manager, in the minors before 2 years. He is a great guy to have teaching youngsters.

Lastly, the rumor mill has already begun speculating that either Bob Tewksbury or Luis Tiant is in the running for bullpen coach. Either would be a great choice, but I think Tweksbury offers more from a coachin standpoint. He is a master of mechanics and deliery. However, he might be better suited to a minor league role, for just that reason. As for El Tiante, he would be great to have around in any capacity. He's just that kind of guy.

Welcome back Grady. The honeymoon is most definitely over. Get to work.

[hmrsf]

SF I enjoy reading your posts. You always put a lot of thought into them. I just diagree. Shea Hillenbrand improve quite a bit and that is a tribute to Evans. Evans did not fail as a hitting instuctor. If anything he was a smashing suscess.

Finishing 2nd in batting average with .277 in the AL and and 3rd in OBA is not a failure. SF we need to agree to disagree.

Little has the right to pich as he he chooses, but let's not rewrite history.

[spitball]

When's Port leaving?
Is there a permanent GM in the wings?
Port is Duquette in a different suit and knows nothing about player developement.