The Mets decided they needed a little bit more experience on their bench next to manager Terry Collins. While former managers such as Jim Riggleman and Larry Bowa were available, the Mets decided on former Oakland manager Bob Geren. My question is what positive things can Geren bring to the table? I understand that this is a position that is overrated and does not make as much difference as people say. But, if the Mets were insistant that they needed to improve their coaching staff, how does Geren make them better?
His best season as A's manager was 2010 when he lead them to an 81-81 record. Otherwise he had three and a half losing seasons and was known for being a lousy communicator. Bob Schaefer, a former Boston executive who gave Geren his first chance to manager in the Red Sox farm system, was part of Geren's coaching staff in Oakland. After Schaefer was fired he said, "I didn't want to be back anyway" and said Geren's coaching staff's experience wasn't always put to use. So the guy who first brought Geren into managing said he wasn't using his coaches to their best of abilities.
Of course he was ripped by pitchers Huston Street, who said Geren "never was a good at communication" and "my least favorite person I have ever encounteres in sports from age 6-27," and Brian Fuentes, who said he was "handled pretty poorly" in his role in the bullpen and had "zero communication" with him and his role. You add Mike Sweeney (who was known as one of the quieter players in the game) who said Geren established a "culture of fear" in the clubhouse. Then former catcher Rob Bowen said after Geren was fired,"Finally the A's have realized Geren has destroyed a dozen pitchers careers and doesn't have a clue on how to manage a big league club." Nothing that is encouraging especially because I have heard nothing positive to counteract all the negative that has been said!
You can say that Geren had most of his issues with the pitching staff and obviously he will have nothing to do with the Mets pitchers. He was a former catcher, which may help Josh Thole behind the plate. A manager needs his bench coach to be a second set of eyes and be closer to the players. How can you hire a guy who was known for not communicating with his players to communicate with the Mets players? I don't get it. Is Geren going to work with the infielders or outfielders where has has absolutely no experience?
The Mets needed to make a better hire here. I think the hiring of Geren contradicts the firing of Ken Oberkfell. They needed more experience on the bench. Somebody please tell me what part of the game Bob Geren's experience is.
His best season as A's manager was 2010 when he lead them to an 81-81 record. Otherwise he had three and a half losing seasons and was known for being a lousy communicator. Bob Schaefer, a former Boston executive who gave Geren his first chance to manager in the Red Sox farm system, was part of Geren's coaching staff in Oakland. After Schaefer was fired he said, "I didn't want to be back anyway" and said Geren's coaching staff's experience wasn't always put to use. So the guy who first brought Geren into managing said he wasn't using his coaches to their best of abilities.
Of course he was ripped by pitchers Huston Street, who said Geren "never was a good at communication" and "my least favorite person I have ever encounteres in sports from age 6-27," and Brian Fuentes, who said he was "handled pretty poorly" in his role in the bullpen and had "zero communication" with him and his role. You add Mike Sweeney (who was known as one of the quieter players in the game) who said Geren established a "culture of fear" in the clubhouse. Then former catcher Rob Bowen said after Geren was fired,"Finally the A's have realized Geren has destroyed a dozen pitchers careers and doesn't have a clue on how to manage a big league club." Nothing that is encouraging especially because I have heard nothing positive to counteract all the negative that has been said!
You can say that Geren had most of his issues with the pitching staff and obviously he will have nothing to do with the Mets pitchers. He was a former catcher, which may help Josh Thole behind the plate. A manager needs his bench coach to be a second set of eyes and be closer to the players. How can you hire a guy who was known for not communicating with his players to communicate with the Mets players? I don't get it. Is Geren going to work with the infielders or outfielders where has has absolutely no experience?
The Mets needed to make a better hire here. I think the hiring of Geren contradicts the firing of Ken Oberkfell. They needed more experience on the bench. Somebody please tell me what part of the game Bob Geren's experience is.
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