Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
August 10, 2004
Riccardi Review

The Globe and Mail have a very good article about J.P. Ricciardi today, describing him as facing a consumer confidence issue. I find this quote amazing:


There are some managers with major-league track records who are available, such as former manager of the year Jerry Manuel and Davey Johnson, who played for Earl Weaver and was fiddling with computer printouts before most other managers knew how to find the power button and has always stressed on-base percentage. There has not been a situation Johnson hasn't faced, and he was interviewed for Blue Jays jobs in the past.

But Ricciardi said: "I just don't know Davey Johnson. I don't know if it's right to say that the next guy we hire is the guy who has to take us into the postseason."


"I don't know Davey Johnson?!!?" This is someone who uses computers to scout players. How many players did he draft whom he's never met? To know Davey, just look at his record. Look at the record of his teams before and after he managed them. J.P. wants a teacher? Davey brought the Mets of the 80's throught the minors and into the majors! What can't you know about Davey Johnson that a little research can't tell you? Ricciardi supposed to be a smart guy. Maybe he's not as smart as we think.


Posted by David Pinto at 08:27 AM | Management | TrackBack (0)
Comments

His comment is very odd, especially when coupled with his note on Bob Geren, "I know him."

As an earlier post discussed, though, perhaps a strong manager isn't what he feels is needed. Maybe what he really needs *is* a guy he knows and knows he can get along with, knows can follow the directions given by a team like this one.

Posted by: Jason Wojciechowski at August 10, 2004 10:20 AM

Exactly. As great a manager as Davey is, he's notoriously difficult to get along with. Sounds like J.P. was just trying to get past the question without bashing Johnson outright.

Posted by: Eric at August 10, 2004 12:05 PM

What Eric said.

Posted by: Al at August 10, 2004 09:11 PM