Fredi was my first choice as well, but I trust Loria and Beinfest judgement on picking a good manager. They know what our ballclub needs are.

 

Girardi and the FO now need to do a good job filling the other coaching positions. That would be one of the keys for next season. The talent is there (unless we unload a lot of players)

 

 

Well, here's the thing that I've read. Girardi was torn between coming here where there was more talent, but he'd have less control, going to Tampa where he'd have more control, but less of a chance of winning in the next 2 seasons, or just staying in New York. It seems he likes the idea of winning, and getting credit for it, so I'd assume most of the team will return.

Do you think Joe got a verbal commitment from Loria that he would keep a quality team in place?

 

I'd assume so. Especially given the perceived turmoil over our roster.

It seems he likes the idea of winning, and getting credit for it, so I'd assume most of the team will return.

 

 

Right on the mark! One would have to assume Loria and Beinfest have given Joe a framework for who they intend to keep, trade and acquire, and Joe, for the most part, is satisfied with the plan. He wouldn't come here if he didn't believe he could be competitive.

Fredi was my first choice as well, but I trust Loria and Beinfest judgement on picking a good manager. They know what our ballclub needs are.

 

Girardi and the FO now need to do a good job filling the other coaching positions. That would be one of the keys for next season. The talent is there (unless we unload a lot of players)

 

 

Well, here's the thing that I've read. Girardi was torn between coming here where there was more talent, but he'd have less control, going to Tampa where he'd have more control, but less of a chance of winning in the next 2 seasons, or just staying in New York. It seems he likes the idea of winning, and getting credit for it, so I'd assume most of the team will return.

 

Yeah I agree. This move would make no sense at all if Loria and bunch decide to start unloading players. I think we'll see the core of this team staying together with just a few additions here and there to round things out.

Every manager has to start somewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Cut to starry background - cue John Williams music)

 

Marlins Baseball '06: Episode I: The Rookie Manager

 

Every saga has a beginning!

 

It is a time of uncertainty for the Florida Marlins. Underachieving players and a retiring manager have resulted in the search for a new coaching staff. After days of negotiations, the Marlins finally chose Joe Girardi, who in a bold move, defected from the GALACTIC EMPIRE STATE.

 

With young Jeremy Hermida joining impact players like Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Delgado, the Marlins hope to have a GRAND OFFENSE in place, complimented by a pitching staff anchored by Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett.

 

With SPRING TRAINING still months away, time will tell what COACHING STAFF will compliment Girardi as his new team the FLORIDA MARLINS looks to topple the NL EAST and restore balance to the NATIONAL LEAGUE.

 

(pan down from stars to Dolphins Stadium)

---------

from MLB.com

One of Girardi's first orders of business is to assemble a coaching staff. Expected to return from this past year's staff is infield/first base coach Perry Hill. Pitching coach Mark Wiley is likely to meet with Girardi, and indications are he will return for his second season with the Marlins.

 

Wiley was instrumental in the fine season turned in by Dontrelle Willis, a Cy Young Award candidate who led the Major Leagues with 22 wins. Willis was just named the winner of the Warren Spahn Award, presented to the top left-handed pitcher in the league. Josh Beckett also is coming off a career-best season, going 15-8.

 

While Wiley and Girardi were never on the same team in the past, their paths crossed frequently in the American League. In the mid-1990s, when Girardi was catching for the Yankees, Wiley was the pitching coach for the Indians. Those teams developed a bit of a rivalry, meeting a few times in the postseason.

 

According to reports, Girardi is considering hiring Andres Galarraga as the hitting coach. Don Zimmer, the bench coach of the Devil Rays, is regarded as a favorite to take on the same position with the Marlins.

Joe Girardi is no Jack McKeon.

 

He's 33 years younger. His resume is devoid of any managing or front office experience, much less the decades that belonged to McKeon. And Girardi doesn't smoke.

 

But in settling on Girardi to take over as manager, the Marlins are hoping a new face and style can breathe fresh air into an underachieving club that fell far short of expectations last season.

 

Girardi, 41, agreed Wednesday to manage the Marlins. A formal announcement could come today or Thursday.

 

The Marlins called the other candidates for the job to tell them Girardi would be their man, and sources said owner Jeffrey Loria was preparing to fly to South Florida Wednesday night to be on hand when Girardi is introduced at a press conference.

 

Girardi, who spent the past season serving as bench coach for the New York Yankees under manager Joe Torre, resigned from that position, sources said.

 

Though he has never managed at any level, Girardi's baseball background includes 15 seasons spent as a major-league catcher, one in the broadcast booth, and a stint alongside Torre in the Yankees dugout.

 

He was also interviewed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the managing vacancy.

 

''I'm very excited just to meet with him and talk baseball with him,'' said Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis. ``He's an experienced winner and he comes from a great organization that knows how to win. I think he's going to put that personality and that feeling in our locker room, so it's a good choice.''

 

Girardi was one of more than a half-dozen candidates to interview with the Marlins, but he was always the team's top choice.

 

The Marlins would go from having baseball's oldest manager in the 74-year-old McKeon to one of the youngest in Girardi. Only Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge, 37, is younger.

 

''I think it's a good to bring in a guy like that with a lot of excitement, a lot of pizzazz,'' said Marlins catcher Paul Lo Duca. ``Guys will be able to relate a bit more, so that should help.''

 

It's unclear how Girardi will shape his coaching staff, but it's expected he'll be allowed to choose most of his own choices. Marlins first base/infield coach Perry Hill is expected to return, and pitching coach Mark Wiley also could return.

 

Former major-league first baseman Andres Galarraga would likely be considered to become the hitting coach. Girardi would also likely pick a bench coach, bullpen coach and third-base coach.

 

Former Marlins pitcher Carl Pavano, who was with the Yankees this season, said he thinks Girardi brings ''a good mix'' of traits to the Marlins.

 

''I think he's a good fit,'' Pavano said. ``He's got the personality, gets the most out of his players and the respect out of his players. He's going to expect a lot and I think guys are going to want to play for him.''

 

Said Andy Fox, another former Marlin who was a teammate of Girardi's in the 1990s with the Yankees: ``He's a very sharp guy. He's highly intelligent and worked real hard to become the player that he was. He's got tremendous communication skills and knows how to communicate with players regardless of their personalities.''

 

Though Girardi has never managed, many in the sport don't consider that to be a detriment.

 

Ozzie Guillen had never managed before he became manager of the Chicago White Sox last season, but has guided them to the World Series in just his second season.

 

Bob Brenly had no prior managing experience when he got the job in Arizona with the Diamondbacks, who won the 2001 World Series under his direction in what was his first season as skipper.

 

''The lack of experience I think can be overrated,'' said Brenly, who now works as a broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs. ``Speaking specifically of Girardi, this is a guy that caught and played for a variety of managers at the major league level and sat at the right hand of Joe Torre. I think the experiences that he's had lend themselves well to taking that manager's seat (for the Marlins).''

 

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12944146.htm

This is a great move by the Marlins. Joe is going to make a heck of a manager for this team and hopefully he won't inherit too many of the problem players that plagued Jack McKeon over the last year and a half.

 

Hopefully he'll inherit the talented players and be able to work out a productive relationship with them, and not have to bother with the ones whose playing abilities can not make up for the embarassment they've caused themselves and the team.

This is a great move by the Marlins. Joe is going to make a heck of a manager for this team and hopefully he won't inherit too many of the problem players that plagued Jack McKeon over the last year and a half.

 

Hopefully he'll inherit the talented players and be able to work out a productive relationship with them, and not have to bother with the ones whose playing abilities can not make up for the embarassment they've caused themselves and the team.

 

In other words, get rid of Lowell (and perhaps JP). :lol

Even as a Yankee fan, I can't really say that I'm that pleased. At least Fredi has been a manager before, even if it was in the minors.

 

 

Yeah...the lack of managerial experience really hurt Ozzie Guillen.

 

This is a great move by Loria. Can't wait to see his staff.

 

Any chance Al Leiter might have a spot in the organization? I've got to assume he knows Girardi pretty well.

 

Obviously you forget that Guillen took over in '04. Leiter won't be back, not after the way his tenure here ended, which I must say I'm disappointed with.

Yeah, the lack of experience never hurt Bob Brenly with the D-Backs or even Eric Wedge with the Indians this year.... and the years of experience really has helped guys like Dusty Baker, Mike Hargrove, Buck Showalter, Frank Robinson, Felipe Alou, etc.... etc...

The typical fan likes to know what can be expected. That's why we get so upset at personnel who lacks experience, streaky players, secret meetings, tight-lip officials and also why we are so trusting of anything made available to or from the press. But that's just my psychoanalysis.

:happydance :banana

 

FINALLY!!!! :notworthy

 

Welcome to South Florida, Joe! :thumbup

OMG, noooooo!

 

OMG I miss Jack.

 

*cut myself and become suicidal*

What pleases me most is that by getting this deal done before the beginning of the World Series (MLB has a ban on these kinds of signings during the WS period), the FO and their new manager have an opportunity to get a head start on their 2006 planning and putting together a coaching staff.

 

I have to admit that I was getting a bit concerned that things would drag on or that we would have to make another choice, one perhaps out of weakness, but I'm relieved things have worked out the way they have.

 

Good luck Joe, welcome to South Florida :thumbup

 

Go Fish!

Congrats guys, I think Joe is going to be one hell of a manager.

Congrats to Joe. I think we got a real keeper in him. Hopefully, he can lead this team to a fulfilling, competitive, and exciting year next season.

Loria has started a pretty good history of "getting his guy" down here, as someone else put it. Pudge, Delgado, and now Girardi are people that several teams were targeting. And while Florida hasn't been the most stable or storied franchise around, he's doing a great sales job. Even Leiter who turned out to be a dud, was really impressed with Loria.

 

I'm glad they got their first choice. :thumbup

Lets keep the Yankee connection going Joe and trade for Sheff

If we wind up with the rumored staff I heard mentioned here recently of Baylor, Gallaraga, and Zimmer we'd be reuniting the 1993 Rockies.

Why don't we throw some ungodly amount of money (5 million a year? I'll donate!) to Leo Mazzone?

 

I can dream.....

What pleases me most is that by getting this deal done before the beginning of the World Series (MLB has a ban on these kinds of signings during the WS period), the FO and their new manager have an opportunity to get a head start on their 2006 planning and putting together a coaching staff.

 

I have to admit that I was getting a bit concerned that things would drag on or that we would have to make another choice, one perhaps out of weakness, but I'm relieved things have worked out the way they have.

 

That was my concern with any possible negotiations / gesturing with Burnett. The club now has a lot more free time and better focus on what can and needs to be done.

What pleases me most is that by getting this deal done before the beginning of the World Series (MLB has a ban on these kinds of signings during the WS period), the FO and their new manager have an opportunity to get a head start on their 2006 planning and putting together a coaching staff.

 

I have to admit that I was getting a bit concerned that things would drag on or that we would have to make another choice, one perhaps out of weakness, but I'm relieved things have worked out the way they have.

 

That was my concern with any possible negotiations / gesturing with Burnett. The club now has a lot more free time and better focus on what can and needs to be done.

 

 

if you mean towards burnett dude all we should do is tender arbitration and say goodbye. Let that smuck walk. Even if he goes to the Nats, I will be pissed.

 

I agree with you though it is good to get ready and get a plan for the offseason now. Who is gonna be 3rd base coach onwards I am glad he is keeping Hill too. I would of liked us getting Mel along with Wiley somehow. He is a great pitching coach and could be very useful.

What pleases me most is that by getting this deal done before the beginning of the World Series (MLB has a ban on these kinds of signings during the WS period), the FO and their new manager have an opportunity to get a head start on their 2006 planning and putting together a coaching staff.

 

I have to admit that I was getting a bit concerned that things would drag on or that we would have to make another choice, one perhaps out of weakness, but I'm relieved things have worked out the way they have.

 

That was my concern with any possible negotiations / gesturing with Burnett. The club now has a lot more free time and better focus on what can and needs to be done.

 

 

if you mean towards burnett dude all we should do is tender arbitration and say goodbye. Let that smuck walk. Even if he goes to the Nats, I will be pissed.

 

I agree with you though it is good to get ready and get a plan for the offseason now. Who is gonna be 3rd base coach onwards I am glad he is keeping Hill too. I would of liked us getting Mel along with Wiley somehow. He is a great pitching coach and could be very useful.

I was worried about spending too much time courting Burnett before the season, before the mid-season grumbling, before the September confrontation. I'm silently happy the two decided on to air out their differences rather than use eachother in the offseason and ignore the disharmony that has existed between A.J and the front office over the years, to say nothing of Jack.

Why don't we throw some ungodly amount of money (5 million a year? I'll donate!) to Leo Mazzone?

 

I can dream.....

 

I was thinking the exact same thing. We've got a ton of young pitchers and he's the best pitching coach in baseball. If by some fluke we got Mazzone, I think this team would be scary good.

Why don't we throw some ungodly amount of money (5 million a year? I'll donate!) to Leo Mazzone?

 

I can dream.....

 

I was thinking the exact same thing. We've got a ton of young pitchers and he's the best pitching coach in baseball. If by some fluke we got Mazzone, I think this team would be scary good.

 

Wouldn't the Braves have to give us permission to talk to him? (which would NEVER happen)

Is it spring yet?

I love this news simply because I knew this was the number one guy that Loria and Beinfest wanted the whole time. It sucks when your # 1 choice turns you down...unless you're Notre Dame and your guy was Urban Meyer.... :whistle

 

 

 

This actually made me laugh.