ANtics Extra: Bob Geren In the Hot Seat

by louismg on May 26, 2011 2:21 AM PDT

It's not easy being an Oakland A's manager. You don't get credit when things go well, the GM does. You don't get the players other managers get. You don't get the stadium other managers get. The commissioner of your sport doesn't even want to acknowledge you exist. Your predecessor had the personality of a lemon, and you have the personality of a pickle. You were picked over a fan favorite who just so happened to lead his team to the World Series last year. The team across the bay, God forbid, actually won it. So you're not feeling great.

Considering you're not winning points for charisma, you have to win on the field. When that doesn't happen, and you've given us no reason to think you're making the team better, ain't nobody happy. So it's time to bring the ANtics back. Welcome to the hot seat, Mr. Geren.

PS - For more ANtics history, go way back in time to 2005 It's a fun trip. All photos courtesy and copyright of their respective owners (who are not me).

Poll

What is the true cause for the A's malaise?

The underperforming offense.

299 votes

Inconsistent relief pitching.

6 votes

Bob Geren's peculiar managing style.

215 votes

Ownership / Bud Selig / Economics

63 votes

The new Stomper

123 votes

706 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 6 recs |

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Comments

Under performing insinuates that they are not, infact, this bad...

I think there is a good chance they are this bad.

Even a blind squirrel is right twice a day.

by Zonis on May 26, 2011 2:59 AM PDT reply actions

The offense is truly underperforming

Barton looks absolutely awful (and management somehow has decided to keep him in the two slot game after game). Matsui and Ellis look like they are ready for Social Security. Kouz and Willingham are hitting way below career averages as well. If those five would hit like they did last year, this team would be above .500 regardless of who was manager. I don’t think they’d be playoff bound, but they’d be respectable.

Who is to blame when over half the starting line up underperforms dramatically? I don’t really know. On paper, this is a team propelled by great starting pitching and adequate line drive hitting. But paper isn’t worth much.

by rovingralph on May 26, 2011 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions

There's a new Stomper?!? n/t

There is no "i" in Teamocil. At least not where you'd think.

by GreenNGoldSooner on May 26, 2011 4:06 AM PDT reply actions

Look, they were going to replace the old Stomper regardless.

And I’m really getting tired of the accusations. It was an ACCIDENT. Besides, there is no way an elephant should be traveling down a flight of stairs at that speed. He stopped for everyone else, would it have killed him to stop for me? Ok, poor choice of words. The part where I pushed him is a flat-out fairy-tale. The part where I dragged him away and threw his remains on the grill at the last Chez Nico? Ok, that part might be true. But everyone ate, damn it. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. I know this much: the new Stomper won’t come near my section.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on May 26, 2011 4:32 AM PDT up reply actions

BEANE is the one who should go!

Geren didn’t bring this collection of NUDNICK hitters on board, Beane did ,with Wolfe’s approval. “Billy Ball” worked for 2 years……..maybe. One thing for sure ,it hasn’t worked for the last 5 or so.
If your car sputters and won’t run right do you put new tires on it and get it detailed to solve the problem? No ,you start with the problem , the engine. Year after year we have one of the lowest ERA’s and some of the best pitching stats (except wins) in baseball , yet we dwell in the basement when it comes to offense. If WE can see this why can’t Beane and Wolfe? WHY don’t they address ,or even try to address the situation and give us the missing pieces of the puzzle that will give the fans a contender? And does Leo really feel the talent level of this team justifies moving them and building a new stadium? He may be on to something : the fans MIGHT go to see the venue , but not the Team. Cereal in a crackerjack box is still cereal. Been watching the A’s since 1968 and the Beane era has been tough to swallow!

by Wyoraider on May 26, 2011 7:26 AM PDT reply actions