Owners and GMs

by SA on Jan 31, 2005 11:40 AM PST

While we don't expect the new owner to be like some of the more notorious owners in baseball, it's useful to compare Billy Beane's basic autonomy to the interference experienced by other general managers. It's also the reason one would anticipate that freedom from interference in baseball decisions will be Billy's key demand in his upcoming discussions with the new owner.

This article from today's Washington Post gives some perspective on how outrageous things can be with a certain type of owner:

Washington Post
January 31, 2005

In November 1998, the Baltimore Orioles' top executives gathered around new general manager Frank Wren to evaluate potential free agent targets when, according to people present at the time, they were interrupted by owner Peter Angelos, who asked: "What do you guys think about Albert Belle?"

Belle, the powerful but surly free agent slugger, had not been among the targets Wren's brain trust had discussed. Wren told Angelos that Belle had pluses (his production) and minuses (his personality), but Angelos waved him off. "What if I told you we already got him?" Angelos asked, and it became clear what had occurred. Wren ultimately lasted only a year on the job.

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Wow

Angelos is notorious for that sort of thing, but that's just ridiculous. When Steinbrenner goes out and does something stupid (a la personally seeking out and signing Kenny Lofton), at least his baseball people know he's going out and doing something stupid.

by dchu on Jan 31, 2005 12:10 PM PST reply actions

Can you imagine...

...how pissed BB would be if Schott had done something like that to him. Even if it was a cheap, no-name player.

by Sharon on Jan 31, 2005 12:13 PM PST reply actions

History Repeating Itself

In the form of Sammy "the Incredible Sulk" Sosa.
He and Belle are similar in that they are both coming from Chicago, they both had a few consecutive seasons of great production, but their club house antics and personalities caught up to them. These are classic "ME" guys, not "TEAM" guys.

Angelos can rot in 3rd place again.

Man I feel bad for Miggy.

Now THIS is Billy Ball

by Masaryk on Jan 31, 2005 12:16 PM PST reply actions

wow

that's the epitome of recklessness...treating the entire front office like the A's treat their scouts

"When I went to church that same Sunday, I picked up a 2x4. I went up to the pulpit and clubbed the preacher in the head..."--Wesley Willis

by Cutthemullet on Jan 31, 2005 1:23 PM PST reply actions

I seem to have put this in the wrong diary ...

Albert Belle was still, arguably, the best hitter in the game when he was signed. He was aging, though, and, while you can't blame Angeloos for not picking up the hip thing before it happened - 5 years and $65 mil is never a good investment for someone who will be 37 when the contract ends.

If anyone is interested, here's the link.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49984-2005Jan30.html

Relax alright don't try to strike everyone out. Strikeouts are boring besides that they're fascist. Throw some ground balls it's more democratic.

by devo on Jan 31, 2005 1:55 PM PST reply actions