Too many managers?
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| Phil Wrigley and his "College of Coaches." |
I received an email from a reader of the Observer-Reporter this week who read my column in the Sunday edition. The reader wrote that he was surprised that I didn't mention the Chicago Cubs' "College of Coaches" that was used in the 1961 and '62 seasons.
I didn't mention it because it wasn't exactly the same as the Wild Things' co-coaches or coaches-by-committee approach. The Cubs always had a manager. The problem was it was changing, first every month, then every week, then every series.
Confused? if you're too young to remember or never heard of the Cubs' "College of Coaches," then here a few links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_of_Coaches
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24214118/just-because-the-cubs-and-the-college-of-coaches
http://www.mtrmedia.com/2014/01/inside-the-college-of-coaches-used-by-the-chicago-cubs-in-1961-and-1962/
If you don't want to read three stories, I'll give you the Reader's Digest version. The Cubs had a string of 14 consecutive finishes in the bottom half of the National League entering the 1961 season, when owner Phil Wrigley decided to do something unique and hired eight coaches who would rotate through the organization from the minors to the majors, changing managerial jobs along the way. Some guys actually managed a rookie league team and the Cubs in the same season.
The Cubs started with a plan to divide the 1961 season into thirds and change managers at that point. It ended up that four managers were used, often rotating from week to week. Three managers were used in 1962.
The results were about what you would expect. The Cubs went 64-90 in 1961 and 59-103 in 1962.
posted by Chris Dugan at
4:03 PM
12 Comments:
The Chicago Cubs and the Washington Wild Things are two different situations entirely.
Absolutely no connection whatsoever.
The Wild Things seem to have no idea of how to handle a sticky situation. Remember 2008?
All this business about the players taking sides in this matter could have been avoided if, as Barney Fife would say, they had 'nipped it in the bud'!
Some swift and decisive action was required but, of course, that did not happen. By letting it fester while Williams went on vacation there now seems to be no way to resolve the issue without even more damage being done. Allowing Gryboski remain for even one day after such an incident speaks volumes about the sophomoric nature of the Wild Things management.
I believe that Gryboski will remain with the team and will stand as an example of the shameful manner this situation was NOT handled. Gryboski will also be a wonderful example for young men on how not to behave. If the team members still respect the guy; shame on them. I wonder how they would feel if he had punched their grandfather? He is certainly a textbook example of what no team should want on it's coaching staff.
Once again Stu Williams has shown us that he lacks the basic knowledge of even the fundamentals of being a team owner.
It sure looks as though nothing will change at CEP. Bad behavior will triumph over common sense. I'm sure Kevin Gryboski, having exhibited his lack of self discipline and class, will strut around the clubhouse like a conquering hero of sorts. I've got news for him - Bart Zeller has more class in his little finger than Gryboski has in his entire being.
Geezer
BTW: Steve, Geezerville is one word not two words.
Barney Fife would say, they had 'nipped it in the bud'!
Great reference friend! What speaks volumes is that the Wild Things have the top winning percentage in the Frontier League and are third from the bottom in attendance. Plus management adds a few 100 to the figures each night or it would be worse. Which means they are not making anything in the overpriced, filthy concession stands. I’m sure they are making up for when the softball game’s stands are packed. (Not!)
Why don't the WT just make this jerk the hitting coach? He should be good at that.
Has anyone noticed that the young men playing baseball while wearing a Wild Things jersey have gone 8-2 since the night of that 'ugly' incident? Certainly worth a standing "O" for these guys, and a reminder of how well Bart Zeller did over the past 1-1/2 years. Of course, not withstanding, a tip of the cap to our current 'committee' of coaches. It is great to see Bob B out of the dugout for a change.
Worth a standing "O"?
A lot of these guy's turned their backs on their manager. You know, the guy that put them where they are?
Loyalty means nothing to some people. Others are just plain ingrates.
You don't have to be moral to win baseball games and a lot of these guys are living proof of it.
Yes Jeff, we have noticed the 8-2 record. Also noted is your blind support for a group of
players and a coach that has no sense of what respect means.
Persons that make statements as yours is the primary reason for the idiom – “Winning
isn’t everything, it’s the only thing!”
C.J. Beatty spoke for the players and said they, the players, were comfortable
with the coaching situation. That means that the majority are willing to be coached
by a less than professional person that assaulted the man most responsible for their present status,
such that it is, as professional baseball players. If it were not for Bart Zeller a fair number of these
players would be, at this very moment, flipping burgers instead of playing baseball.
There is a lot more to being a winner than merely being victorious in a sporting event Jeff.
Being a winner entails being a person of integrity no matter what situation you are facing.
Even if having integrity cost one something near and dear to him, it is preferable to living
just for today without regard for others. As far as I’m concerned, many of these players are having
their character tested, many for the first time in their lives. Many, including C. J. Beatty are failing
by supporting the very person that brought about this debacle – the not honorable Kevin Gryboski!
As to the 8-2 record? Many, including you Jeff, would be screaming bloody murder if the
record was 2-8. Most fans can’t see past their noses when it comes to understanding
what being a winner really means. It means living a principled life of self respect, and respect
for others. It also means you do what is morally right each and every day regardless of the consequences.
So, I guess that most Wild Things fans are also content with,
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing!” What a sad commentary. So hungry for a win that they
show no support for a man was wronged. JUST WIN, BABY and screw old Bart, who needs him?
Bart, you did the right thing by getting yourself free from people that, when the chips were down, just
threw you under the bus like a wasted old person. You are a lucky man to be out from under the Wild Things thumb. They showed you their true colors.
To Anon 7/24 7:21 pm -
I have read, with interest, your comments and will respond after a travel day tomorrow (Sat.).
In the meanwhile, I would like to read, or listen to CJ's comments that were made on behalf on the team. Can you tell were I may do so?
Jeff:
You will find Chris Dugan's article in the O-R published on July 19th.
I generally agree with Anon at 7/24 7:21 pm. I don't think he/she should have referred to you by name without giving his name also.
Still, the points he made, in my opinion, were right.
The Wild Thing management did not act quickly and have placed the players in an awkward position, Gryboski should have been suspended immediately until the situation was resolved. Zeller's resignation was the result of the situation - not the resolution of it.
It's all academic now because too much time has been lost. Gryboski was clearly at fault for more reasons than one - no use debating that now though is there?
Just another shining example of poor leadership in the Wild Things front office.
As for C. J's remarks, I don't know if the was selected as team spokesman or if he appointed himself. If he did appoint himself, he should be more careful about what he says because he did use the collective term "we". To me that means everybody on the team.
Anyway, please read the article. It's very interesting.
Ima Fraid
To Anon 7/26 7:06am -
It seems that the wifi at this campgrounds in the Poconos was the same one the Abe Lincoln also tried to use, without much success. Reading CJ's comments at this time is not possible, as I cannot access the OR archives, although, I'm guessing that his spin on the situation had a positive outlook to it seeing that he does a fair amount of motivational speaking besides being a baseball player. Nothing wrong with a positive attitude.
And yes, at this point in time nothing with the team is going to change.
What I am still pondering is do we know exactly what happened that Saturday evening?
I know that our catcher was thrown at, and that a player for the visiting team was then thrown at. I heard a very brief exchange of yelling coming from our dugout. I watched as the players gathered in right field immediately after the game and had a meeting lasting about 10 minutes. I was told that Bart resigned the next morning and was on his way home to Arizona.
I have not heard or read an actual account of what had happened in the dugout. I have read and heard speculations and assumptions. The majority here on this blog have thrown Kevin under the bus and have put the team in a bad light for continuing their jobs as baseball players, regardless of whom is managing the team. I would be more than happy to hear that Bart was wronged and this alleged attack caused his resignation. But, is that the truth?
Allow me to state, I am not a 'winning is the only thing' kind of person. A good sporting event, regardless if my team wins or loses, is still good entertainment. I have played and coached the game, and in hindsight, it was a rewarding experience despite some of the losses.
I met Bart shortly after his arrival in Washington last year. We had numerous brief conversations and lunched together at the All Star event in 2013. I looked forward to his 'coaches' updates' on-line during the off season. In short, I was, and continue to be a Bart Zeller fan. In fact, did you know that there is a group on Facebook, "The Bart Zeller Fan Club" of which I am a member.
All that being said, I ask the question, is it possible that Mr Zeller was the instigator of that 'ugly incident' in the dugout? Was he defending his right to order our pitcher to throw at an opponents head? Did he lash out at Mr Gryboski because Kevin had ordered the knockdown pitch? Was Kevin defending himself? Was Bart defending himself? Do we really know what had happened? I sure do not. Chris, do you have any additional light to shed on this? Does anyone else know for sure what happened that evening in the dugout that lead to Bart's departure? I for one would sure like to know, if for no other reason than to put the subject to rest.
As far as where the team is now, wonderful. A great season so far, and hopefully continuing success, the playoffs and the championship. Go Wild Things!
Jeff, it's the Frontier League for goodness sake. It's NOT really serious baseball by any standard. Why do you even think it's worth your time?
To Anon 4:49 ... why do you think it's worth your time?
Re: To Anon 4:49 ... why do you think it's worth your time?
Truthfully, it isn't. So I'm not going say anything else.
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