PRAISE MACHA NOW

I think he IS a

a great motivational manager. Maybe not to the fiery point that us fans can see, but the players all seem to love him, respond well to him, and enjoy playing for him. Also he DOES know how to make-up a line-up and use his bullpen...when he has the right types of players (ie RH batter - Crosby, reliable set-up men). But on the opposite side of that - not to start sounding too negative - when Macha is missing a piece or two, he is not very creative in finding ways to mitigate the hole...or maybe he is TOO creative for his own good exacerbating the issue.

"When you consider the other choices, manure is actually pretty refreshing." - George Costanza

by Awesomus on Jul 16, 2005 6:32 AM PDT reply actions

He's a Chuck Tanner type

I'm sure few of us remember him, but he was briefly a manager for the A's, but was traded to the Pirates for Manny Sanguillen. He skippered the Bucs to their "We Are Family" WS victory in'79.
Like Tanner, Macha is an upbeat, nice guy (they don't ALWAYS finish last)who the players really like. I remember in the Art Howe era when Mach was bench coach EVERYBODY had something good to say about him.
My favorite Macha moment was this year in the pre-season when he stopped the team bus in AZ at Dairy Queen and treated his rich charges to ice cream.
I don't always agree with him (and pinch hitting for Dye was the single worst move I may have ever seen-though I understand why he did it), but I really like his low key style.

by Brian in 317 on Jul 16, 2005 7:00 AM PDT reply actions

PS

I also really like him because I do a killer Macha imitation (I'm from Pennsylvania too, so it comes easy).

by Brian in 317 on Jul 16, 2005 7:02 AM PDT up reply actions

So what is this Pennsylvania accent?

The first time I heard the slow, deliberate accent was from Google founder Larry Page. I didn't know what it was until someone told me he was from Pa. But my Mom lives in Scranton, and I know several people from Pittsburgh. I've never heard anyone talk like that. What part of the state does the accent come from?

by floyd on Jul 16, 2005 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Western PA accent

Pittsburgh (this would include the "greater Pburgh area" where Mach is from) has a particular accent... very clipped with somewhat of a blunting of vowel sounds (hard to describe, now that I'm trying to). Scranton is at least 250 miles to the east... they speak quite differently there- it's kind of like the NoCal/SoCal thing out here.

by Brian in 317 on Jul 16, 2005 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Ice cream

The ice cream stop was pure genius. Of course Swisher had to go for the $7 one.

by Larry E on Jul 16, 2005 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Ouch.

You tell me Chuck Tanner, and all I can think of is a guy who stuck his fingers in his ears and went LALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU as his team went down hard in the early '80s from rampant drug use.

There's positive motivation, and then there's willful disregard for reality. Let's hope Mock doesn't emulate Tanner.

"Yucky Head Bad Guy!" - my 5-year-old daughter to Manny Ramirez. She got ice cream immediately afterward.

by DMtShooter on Jul 16, 2005 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Well he does

Macha played for the Pirates under Tanner in the 70s, before the whole drug thing happened. Yeah those years (mid 80s) were tough to be a Pirates fan... there's such a thing as letting it be too loose, and I'll bet Tanner regrets the way he handled that situation. I think it really got out of control when Stargell retired, and Dave Parker became the dominant personality in the clubhouse.

by Brian in 317 on Jul 16, 2005 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Macha has

a better career winning percentage than Tony La Russa: .564 vs .536.

by matthias on Jul 16, 2005 7:09 AM PDT reply actions

C'mon now

LaRussa has to manage the Oakland A's when the 2nd Dynasty fell. Macha got to pick-up the reins when the team was in the middle of an upswing.

Just asking for fairness.

by grover on Jul 16, 2005 7:45 AM PDT up reply actions

fairness?

You're asking for fairness, but this isn't your diary. The diary is asking for praise for Macha. Start a "praise Tony La Russa" diary if you want.

by matthias on Jul 16, 2005 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

I like Macha

because he has a degree in engineering, like me. I like Macha because my fiancee enjoys seeing him in the dugout and saying, "Well, they're not all jocks. Some of them are apparently nerds."

I like Macha because I rarely think he out-thinks himself. I like him because he is even-headed yet honest with the media.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 16, 2005 7:24 AM PDT reply actions

ditto

by ak_A on Jul 16, 2005 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Class act

My words to describe Macha are "class act". He chooses his words carefully and is always respectful of his own players and the other teams in the league. You'll never hear him say anything truly negative (at least in public), even when the situation warrants it. On field, he never showboats or grandstands like Scioscia, Showalter, Guillen, et al. He's also got a good sense of humor and pops off with some very funny wry comments every so often in interviews.

I also agree that he deserves a lot of praise for helping the team weather their terrible month of May. A lot of teams would just give up, and I think Macha is probably in some large way responsible for the team believing in itself enough to get back to where we are now.

by LoveDemAs on Jul 16, 2005 7:24 AM PDT reply actions

most certainly

by ak_A on Jul 16, 2005 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Macha and beers

I was with some friends down in Phoenix and we actually met Macha and Brad Fischer at a small random bar (technically in Scottsdale). We had some beers and shot the shit for a while. In spite of his boring press conferences he's a really funny guy. He and Fischer left about 15 minutes before me and my buddies and when I went to pay our tab, Macha had picked it up without saying a word. Certainly he makes the occasional bad decision but I think his personality is perfect for this time. So what can I say, I'm partial to Ken.

by 415goas on Jul 16, 2005 8:11 AM PDT reply actions

Macha's ability

not to get too high or low came in super-duper-handy with a team that experienced such extremes.

Also, his refusal to get into beanball-wars and umpire-getinyourfacing helps to give the A's organization a refreshing level of dignity and role-modeling. It is no coincidence that the A's players follow suit to be are a respectful and community-minded bunch.

Nico

by Nico on Jul 16, 2005 9:00 AM PDT reply actions

completely agree..

Macha is a true professional... he's even keeled, and it's obvious that the players have respect for him. I've always kinda liked the guy, because he's focused on going out there everyday with the best formula for a win.

plus, he is a really funny guy...love that dry humor!

by high street on Jul 17, 2005 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Could Howe still hit homeruns?

My wife and I were at spring training this past year and saw the A's play the white sox at an away game ( I think they are in Peoria? can't remember). Any ways, during batting practice none other than Macha comes up. The players kind of stop and watch him hit (first pitch home run). He joined ythe rotation and over the course of 10 minutes he must have hit about 5 homers. He has intangibles that are hard to measure like relating to the players. Why should we go through another period of adjustment at the end of the year? Some stability for the team and the fans would be nice.

by pserralinc on Jul 16, 2005 9:10 AM PDT reply actions

wow

by ak_A on Jul 16, 2005 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions

we were also at spring training

Actually, the part right before the games, so we got to see a lot of Wash running the team through bunt and popup drills.

Anyway, one day a guy came up to Macha with his old Pirates shirt! Macha signed it and was really funny about it, and the guy and him were giving each other a hard time, like

Macha: Don't go selling that on eBay.
Guy: I don't think I can get that much for it.

Macha was a friendly guy and a good sport. He seems to enjoy interacting with the public; his career in the US was so obscure that he must enjoy being an important part of the big show here.

As for FIRE MACHA NOW, every manager is going to make decisions that turn out wrong. Fans always overreact because emotion obscures the fact that

sometimes there is no winning solution. Maybe if you let Dye hit, he would have struck out too. And hit a foul ball that maims Stomper;
people tend to credit players not managers for good game events;
there are many invisible decisions and invisible constraints.

Good luck Macha. I suspect he wants to go to a team where he can have more flexibility, so I'd be a little surprised if he were here next year.

by Apricot on Jul 16, 2005 9:21 AM PDT reply actions

"And hit a foul ball that maims Stomper"

Isn't that a GOOD thing?

by lexdevil on Jul 17, 2005 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

PRAISE MACHA NOW!

PRAISE Macha! And He said unto us, "Ellis shall beget Scutaro, and Scutaro shall beget Ginter, and Ginter shall beget Ellis, and they shall be as one."

PRAISE Macha! And He said, "On the 7th day ye shall rest, but it shall never be Sunday, it shall generally be Monday, although sometimes Thursday instead."

PRAY-YISE Macha! And He said the Yabu shall always be fresh because the Yabu shall be less touched than Mary (who begat Jesus, but it was Colome so no one was that impressed).

PRAISE Macha! For He said, "Love thy neighbor and never do throw spheres at thy neighbor's head or thy neighbor's breeding parts even if led by temptation to desire to do so."

PRAISE Macha! For He shall lead us to the promised land and He shall even point out home plate if it seems necessary and prudent to do so.

PRAISE Macha!

Nico

by Nico on Jul 16, 2005 9:41 AM PDT reply actions

now, that's f*ckin' funny!

"PRAY-YISE Macha! And He said the Yabu shall always be fresh because the Yabu shall be less touched than Mary (who begat Jesus, but it was Colome so no one was that impressed)."

Rich Harden - Cy Young 2005!

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 16, 2005 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Oh man

That was great.

by dchu on Jul 16, 2005 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Damn! You're funny Nico.

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Jul 16, 2005 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions

awesome

In the beginning, there was the Gum. And Macha chewed The Gum. And he saw that it was good.

by Apricot on Jul 16, 2005 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Macha because

He can kick any opposing managers ass, owing to his advanced karate skills.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Jul 16, 2005 9:47 AM PDT reply actions

THRASH SCIOSCIA NOW!

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Jul 16, 2005 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

He is one sly dog

I think we underestimate Macha.
Macha and Billy share one important thing...
They could give two S#$%s about what the outside world thinks. There concern is the TEAM, not their public persona. That is what I love about Macha, his dry humor, his witty banter. He doesn't mug for the cameras.....

You only have to look as far as Byrnes comments to understand if he is good for the team or not....

Oh, and I concur, the ice cream idea was frikin' genius....

Now THIS is Billy Ball

by Masaryk on Jul 16, 2005 10:00 AM PDT reply actions

The fact that

he successfully works with Billy Beane is definitely a point in his favor.

There'll always be things about Macha that bug me, from his dealing with the media to his dealing with the bullpen. But the guy definitely has a lot of guys on the team that like him, respect him, and will back him up.

He also just seems to be learning a lot more -- his lineups when he first started were a little scary at times, even when he had most of the players healthy. This year, I've been impressed at the consistancy he's created and the way he's really settled things down in the lineup.

The guy's humor is pretty damn good, too. The ice cream thing that keeps getting mentioned, I gotta add in my own praise of that. HILARIOUS, and just a nice thing for the guy to do to show that he cares. And every now and then when an amusing comment gets to the press, it's awesome, like that game against Buerhle where the sprinklers accidently went off before the game and he immediately turned to the field to tell them to make sure to get home plate when flooding the field. He seems like a sharp guy, and you probably have to be given this kind of amusing clubhouse.

Yeah. So. He's only horrible on days we lose/guys get injured. :-)

"While I was there, it didn't always seem perfect, but when I look back on it I just might think it was perfect." --Eric Byrnes

by Kyli on Jul 16, 2005 10:25 AM PDT reply actions

I like Macha

The players support him, and they are working their butts off for him. That says a lot.

When the team was down, it was because of injuries and inexperience. The injuries seemed to be typical hard luck and bad timing. The team kept their heads up, played hard, and got better. I think we have to give Macha credit for that, a lot of credit.

As a small-market team, the A's are never going to have things quite as easy as we would like. I am so glad that the A's are so good at nurturing talent and having a strong, positive team identity. There are so many other teams out there that spend as much or more money than the A's, and can't put it together. We can't give BB credit for everything, and keep in mind that he really wanted Macha as the manager. Maybe now we're seeing why.

Another good reflection on Macha is his friendship with Francona. The whole thing with Francona is an amazing feel-good story. As I get older, I realize that these kinds of stories don't happen by accident -- people have to work to make them happen. Macha helped save Francona's career, and without that, who knows if Boston would have hired him or if they would still be living with the Curse. It got Macha in to the All-Star game as a coach. I think he was deserving, and it's no coincidence that he ended up on the winning side too.

"Next year might be an all-out zoo." -- Barry Zito

by TomB on Jul 16, 2005 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

Enjoy Macha while we can

because the CC Times reported today in the A's notebook section, that Macha will not be back next year. They article says that the club appreciates the job that he has done, but that BOB GEREN (unsurprisingly) will be the A's next manager. For those that don't know, Geren is the A's bullpen and catchers coach. He used to the RiverCats.

Of course, the CC Times also reported that Hudson was going to LA.

"This," Kendall said, "is why I catch."

by carp on Jul 16, 2005 11:05 AM PDT reply actions

Washington

Sooner or later he will manage somewhere else.

by Larry E on Jul 16, 2005 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

I like Wash over Geren

but I don't think BB does. I think I read somewhere that BB and Geren are good friends. I think Wash would be a really good manager.

I was trying to think of why the A's would change skippers when next year is supposed to be the really big year. Is Macha not that manager to lead us to the championship?

I am wondering if it is possible to get either draft picks or cash from teams who steal your manager away (Art Howe?). Also, I am wondering if you get compensation for coaches lost (Francona?), because maybe BB is waiting for Wash to be picked up by another team, then get compensation. I think Wash's value is even higher than Macha's, because he makes the infield very solid. Even Hatteberg had success.

"This," Kendall said, "is why I catch."

by carp on Jul 16, 2005 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Geren

He has been with the team for a while now so the transition should be easy (like Howe to Macha). A lot of coaches are on 1-year contracts so besides the not wanting to hold them back argument they are usuall free to go where they want. If we didn't get anything for Howe and especially Petersen, who was still under contract, then I fear we never will.

I like Wash over Geren too but I can't objectively back that up other than to say that we will really miss his work with the infield (which he may end up doing a lot less as a manager). I'll let BB call this one and trust his judgement.

by Larry E on Jul 16, 2005 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Wasn't Geren

the best man in Billy Beane's wedding? I think I read that somewhere.

Anyway, he'd be the next middle manager in Oakland. That's the role of the manager for the A's, and I can't imagine he'd do a significantly worse or better job than Howe or Macha. The players are the thing.

by Dog Days on Jul 16, 2005 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

As the guy who put that in every poll...

let me state for the record that it was sarcasm, just in case anyone mistook it for serious.

There's also one very nice point about Macha -- he never points the finger at anyone on his staff. In April and May, the A's weren't ever going to score another run until Thad Bosley was reinstated, and Joe Blanton was going to be out of MLB forever any minute now, because Rick Peterson wasn't here to dispense Yoda-like wisdom. Turns out all they needed was to be healthy.

Mock never threw Hudgens and Young under the bus, even when it looked like both might volunteer for the job. You find out more about your organization and your people, IMO, when times are bad, rather than when times are good.

"Yucky Head Bad Guy!" - my 5-year-old daughter to Manny Ramirez. She got ice cream immediately afterward.

by DMtShooter on Jul 16, 2005 11:28 AM PDT reply actions

"The players write the lineups"

I've always liked this operating principle. It's sensibly applied, so he's much more patient with stars who are certain to play their way through their problems (e.g. Chavez) or guys to whom the organization has made a major commitment (Swisher), but for a wide group of players it's something of a meritocracy. The players who aren't getting as much playing time know why and they what they have to do to get more (although they don't necessarily like it and may complain, as when we had the six outfielder problem).

by Faust on Jul 16, 2005 1:07 PM PDT reply actions

I'm rather fond

of how he consistently mispronounces some of his players' names.

"Look what we did!"

by ArakSOT on Jul 16, 2005 1:43 PM PDT reply actions

I like that ...

I like that he doesn't overshadow the team. As in Chicago...where Dusty is talked about by the newsmedia more than the majority of the Cub players. Or, St. Louis, Boston, New York, Florida...even Tampa Bay. The focus should be on the team and not a toothpick chewing manager.

Even Art Howe got that way in his last years with the A's, and now he isn't a manager anymore. Kenny is lowkey and a perfect compliment to Billy's continent size ego.

by Andy907 on Jul 16, 2005 3:11 PM PDT reply actions

I like that Macha...

... unlike most other managers, refuses to do any in-game interviews for FOX and ESPN.

by Jennifer on Jul 16, 2005 3:15 PM PDT reply actions

I like that Macha looks like Dick Cheney

"This," Kendall said, "is why I catch."

by carp on Jul 16, 2005 3:24 PM PDT reply actions

All of the above

by china bob on Jul 16, 2005 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

He always makes me laugh when he's in the

A's promo commercials. Especially last year's when he pulled out the bazooka for fielding practice with Chavez.

Also, sometimes when I hear him on the radio, I have the sudden urge to go to Nation's.

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Jul 16, 2005 4:31 PM PDT reply actions

good points

i'm a status quo guy, i'd be fine with macha staying on as manager and wash staying in his current job as well.

i think macha is close to an ideal manager. he gets along with the players, he's quiet, doesn't make waves, and does what beane wants him to do.
plus he's good in the commercials...

by xbhaskarx on Jul 16, 2005 6:51 PM PDT reply actions

A bit of a challenge, isn't it?

Being a status quo guy and a fan of this team.

"Look what we did!"

by ArakSOT on Jul 17, 2005 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Apology

I'll admit I was calling for Macha to be fired during the A's struggles earlier this season. In hindsight was wrong and I owe Macha (and quite frankly the AN) an apology.
After reading how much respect Macha has from his players and witnessing him skillfully manage the A's to more than a handful of wins this season, I was out of line.
Having the players respect and loyalty is fundamental to success in any sport and it's clear Macha has that from this team. So he's not a in-your-face, light-a-fire Billy Martin type of manager... I doubt this team would respond positively to that managerial style. Macha's personality, class, and approach to the game is exactly the right fit for the A's and I'd like to see his contract extended a few more years.
At any rate, I was wrong to criticize him back in May and I apologize.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by lansfords1 on Jul 16, 2005 8:20 PM PDT reply actions

Classy (just like Carney!)--

I keep waiting for two (too-pathetic-to-name) members to resurface and issue embarrassed apologies for the barrage of nasty comments they made about Chavez and the A's when things were bad in May.

There's nothing wrong with being wrong; it's when you think you know everything that those around you should be terrified.

Nico

by Nico on Jul 16, 2005 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions

No apologies here. The A's stunk in April-May.

I hope I never "know everything" but, as a very "unhappy customer" that could not watch a televised A's game for the gut wrenching it produced. I certainly felt completely justified to express that displeasure and keep the pressure on those who are paid to know everything when the product they were selling me was inferior, incomplete, broken, insufficient, and representational of the worst teams in MLB. After all, I'm the customer, and as such I was not pleased.

The April/May dearth of power was BB's responsibility. For what ever reasons BB fixed in June instead of March. The additions of Dan Johnson and Jay Payton and the returns from the DL of Crosby & Swisher (Along with the non-return of Durazo) all combined in June to get the A's to where they could have been in March. To BB's extreme credit most other organizations would fail to ever make all the adjustments he does for lack of knowledge, will, resources or staff. BB built everything the A's are and as the designer of this organization my expectancies are high of him. The A's are a product of the many ways this man's genius finds itself manifested in the teams that take the fields in MLB, AAA, AA, A and rookie leagues. Once again those high expectancies are satisfied as I enjoy myself with this cornucopia of quality baseball at all levels throughout the A's organization.
Chavez choking during April/May RISP was also BB. Our young star is not - was not ready to be "Barry Bonds" of this side of the SF bay. While BB is mostly responsible here Chavez as a player needs to make the adjustments that allow him to play more consistently from the seasons start to seasons end. Mr. Chavez now replaces Chavvy on a roster that fields a very solid team.
"Mocka" has returned day after day playing with the cards he was dealt and never showing the frustration or wear and tear of futility. The players comments are the real bottom-line for Macha and it's a very good bottom line. That Macha wants to leave after 2005 leads to speculation that need not be attempted. I prefer to believe that he desires to go to another organization for the challege, salary, and chance to prove himself without the huge shadow of BB on his every effort. BB & Walsh seem to provide the fertile ground that breeds outstanding careers of their associates and staff.

Why wouldn't I be harsh with my criticisms?
The A's respond to them so very well!

"the A's can be consistent winners if they add power vs righties to this offense without hurting the defense. Kearns? ...worth the chance & fits the budget"

by A s Eh on Jul 17, 2005 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks Nico...

I was also calling for Hudgens to be fired, but I'm not ready to eat crow for that one yet. Not because the A's are now producing, but because I watched one of his DVDs on hitting and then promptly went 0 for 19 in a slow pitch softball league. I wish I was kidding.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by lansfords1 on Jul 16, 2005 8:42 PM PDT reply actions

You think that's bad--

I watched one of Hudgens' porn videos and now there's a lot of things I can no longer do.

Nico

by Nico on Jul 16, 2005 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions

A good balance

I think Macha's low key approach is probably the best conterpoint to Beane's firebrand style.

On a personal note of praise I was goofing around with a friend at the A's Fanfest when we ran across the broadcast truck. They were allowing people to do a play by play for a half inning, and have it recorded on DVD, so we got in line.

Just as I got to the head of the line Ken Pries and Ken Macha were walking by. As a goof I asked Macha if he wanted to do the play by play with me, and he said yes. So I wound up doing a half inning with Ken. I resisted the temptation to do a goofy take, but it was fun none the less. It does show how down to Earth Ken is, in that he'd take the time to do that type of thing.

by NotJohnnyDamon on Jul 17, 2005 1:40 AM PDT reply actions

Macha looks real bad when they lose...

... but seems "just right" when they win. He's the first to admit, that the players make him look like a "genius" or a "goat." So far, I reflect to his post-season record, and I don't know if that's fair of me or not.

I like Macha, because BB likes him, and the result is a winning team. Their is no doubt in my mind, that he is a "good guy" with a great family, and in todays world, that is worthy of great praise. But we're talking baseball managing skills.

I'm biased, because the Billy Martin era of "BillyBall" is what turned my 8 year old self into an A's baseball fan. That team had speed, was capable of small-ball, power, and pitching for a brief period. Billy Martin was in the forefront of his team, and Macha lurks in the comparative shadows; on a team that hasn't been able to afford players with speed.

If Macha can skipper this $60 million payroll into the play-offs, and win a series, then I'll be overly supportive. Until then, I'll continue comparing him to "drunk a@@holes who enjoy ditches."

"We're on a mission, a mission from God." -Jake and Elwood Blues

by BillyBall 81 on Jul 17, 2005 8:12 AM PDT reply actions

Why wait? In case you missed Marty Lurie...

with his quickie playoffs snapshots;

http://view.atdmt.com/VON/iview/trffevon0300000399von/direct/01?click=http%3A%2F%2Fad%2Etrafficmp%2E com%2Ftmpad%2Fbanner%2Fclicktrack%2Easp%3Fcr%3D18587%26rdr%3D

"Why wouldn't I be harsh with my criticisms? The A's respond to them so very well!"

by A s Eh on Jul 17, 2005 12:01 PM PDT reply actions

This link actually works!

http://insidebayarea.com/athletics/ci_2866468

"Why wouldn't I be harsh with my criticisms? The A's respond to them so very well!"

by A s Eh on Jul 17, 2005 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Blue Jays

He dismisses the Jays chances of getting Burnett based solely on money. What is uninformed about is that the Jays changed ownership in the offseason, new ownership is willing to drastically increase the payroll from 50million to 70million for the next 2 years. They would have put more money into this year's team but the sale went through after free agency was done. So, yes, they can afford him.

I hate it when you are more informed than the guy making a living at giving you information.

by Larry E on Jul 17, 2005 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions