Bud Black Interviews/More Hillman Insight

by Blez on Nov 7, 2006 8:39 AM PST in News Comment 21 comments

The A's managerial opening continues to bring interviewees to meet with Billy Beane and Lewis Wolff. The latest is Bud Black, the Angels pitching coach and someone that I would love to have as the A's next manager. I think Black is going to make an excellent manager and he would also be an addition by subtraction factor in the AL West where Black has helped the Angels pitchers become dominant figures in baseball.

At the same time, I had an interesting discussion yesterday with Adam at SB Nation site Lone Star Ball.

He is scared that the A's might sign Trey Hillman to be the A's new manager. He pointed me to this piece in the except Newberg Report.

Adam went on to say this about Hillman:

very personable, has a reputation as a great communicator, strong player development skills. Grady Fuson -- who was very respected by those in the D/FW media while he was with the Rangers, and whom everyone wanted to replace Hart in 2004, when Buck backstabbed him -- has always spoken extremely highly of him, which is part of the reason I think the D/FW press corps was so pro-Hillman.

He also has a reputation as someone who works and plays well with others, which, after Buck, was a huge plus.

It sounds like the type of guy that would be perfect to replace Ken Macha. He also has the strong player development skills, which are extremely important for a manager on the A's given their usual influx of young talent. Also, Hillman had Fuson's endorsement which could signal that he understands the style of play that the Athletics implement.

Regardless, I'm suddenly a lot more intrigued by Hillman and excited about the prospect of Bud Black. Then again, if the Padres jump on either one, I don't expect Beane to suddenly get into a bidding war for the manager. Billy seems intent on making sure that he gets the right person for the job this time, as was pointed out in an excellent diary by gmoneymcg yesterday.

Then again, I still expect Geren to be among the finalists given his relationship with Billy Beane and the fact that he knows probably better than any of these guys how the A's like to do things.

I don't have a problem with the A's taking their time and making the right choice.

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Black is my first choice

now that Wash is gone. I think Hillman or Geren would be fine choices as well. Geren will get roasted on this site if he is the choice, but I think he is far from a yes man and will gain the respect of the players quickly. He also will not face the prospect of being "not Billy's guy" that Macha faced, and will not be put in a position to fail like Macha was. We have bigger problems to worry about than which of the good candidates Beane picks in my opinion.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Nov 7, 2006 9:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

In my opinion

Bud Black would be the best choice as manager now and I guess plenty others feel the same way. Big question is: Does he want to have to work for a guy like Beane? And, on Beane's part: Is this guy going to deviate to much from the moneyball philosophy that got me famous and do things too much his own way and make me look bad? There's an excellent write-up today by Ann Killion in the November 7, San Jose Mercury Sports that every diehard A's fan should read. Maybe someone can post this gem written by Ann Killion.

by Salvatore on Nov 7, 2006 9:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Bud Black would be a big risk

Pitching coaches don't have a great record as managers. It would be interesting if we chose Black, seeing as how passing over Washington was widely viewed as Beane unwilling to take a risk.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Nov 7, 2006 9:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Black is a risk (that I would take if I were Beane) just as Wash was a risk (that I would have taken if I were Beane). My gut tells me that Beane will pick Hillman, a guy who is a safe pick while allowing Beane to at least appear to be trying something new.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Nov 7, 2006 10:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd prefer Hillman

of all the available choices. He has more managerial experience, and seems to have the "great communicator" element that is my top requirement.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 7, 2006 10:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I also think there's going to be some competition for his services. I think he's potentially the best of the candidates now.

by OaklandSi on Nov 8, 2006 4:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A thought on Bud Black

I don't like the idea that we should hire him because it will weaken the Angels. The last thing we should think about in hiring a new manager is how it will affect the Angels, unless we swap rosters with them. It should be a non-factor in the A's deliberations.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 7, 2006 10:28 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

They should only hire him

if he's the right guy. The subtraction from the Angels would be a bonus of the move.

by Blez on Nov 7, 2006 10:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

"Next thing you know, they'll have me taking an overdose of pills."--Milton Bradley

by jeepers on Nov 7, 2006 10:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting view on Wash

from the Star Telegram. This columnist really, really wanted Hillman.

by Blez on Nov 7, 2006 10:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lunching with Avery

The Oakland/Dallas ties get stronger. After the Warriors upset the Mavs last night and Avery got ejected in the first half, its ironic that these two New Orleanites are lunching. I think that Dallas has two of the best coaches in sports. Fiery, passionate, loved by players. As fans, this is what we want in our coaches. As GMs, I guess, there are some other considerations. Now if they can only get rid of that idiotic Parcells, Dallas would have a trifecta of excellent, minority coaches. Not too bad, Texas.

"We're Menudo," -BB

by eshock on Nov 7, 2006 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He may have wanted Hillman

But I'll give him credit where it's due, he did not do a hatchet job on Wash. He pointed out the obvious question marks (lack of managing experience) but he was just as strong in illustrating Wash's positives. That's a much more objective view than I usually expect from sports journalists these days.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Nov 7, 2006 7:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Does Black Need the Experience to Manage?

Bucking conventional wisdom regarding hiring a pitching coach would be an interesting move on Beane's part.

His last 2 managers, like Hillman had minor league experience and a lot of it. Expecting Black to improve our pitching staff is akin to expecting Wash to turn Texas into a defensive juggernaut. It may but probably won't happen, not part of the job description. It does on a superficial level represent addition by subtraction in that the Angels may lose a bit of their comfort zone in dealing with Black for so many years. Our Petersen moved on to the Mets and we survived (despite the scrutiny of AN) regarding Young's performance as his replacement.

So what are the criteria we are looking at. From Beane's point of view, I believe it's all about knowlege and communication. Beane doesn't suffer fools, ever. Stupid managerial decisions will be eaten up by the peanut gallery known as AN. But communication issues behind the scenes with the players and front office will be what makes this "working relationship" successful.

Of course, that doesn't mean the A's are guaranteed 90 wins next year. But our only criteria to measure success is by the Ws and Ls. Let's just hope Beane's next move re: a manger keeps him on the "right" side of that bell shaped curve.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Nov 7, 2006 11:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like the fact the A's are interviewing

a lot of candidates outside the team, it is always good to find out what others think about your team.

by china bob on Nov 7, 2006 11:04 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Off topic, and then On topic...

...thanks for the kind words Blez regarding my diary. I just felt like I won the Blog Pulitzer for the week.

I still vote for Hillman. Like others have posted in this open thread, and it's not that I don't like Bud Black, A) pitching coaches haven't had the best track record when it comes to managing, and B) you just don't hire Black because he's on the staff of your competiton.

Like I said yesterday, I commend Beane for taking his time. Whoever he picks I believe will be the right man for the job. Even if he goes Geren at the last minute, at least he took his time.

Lance Armstrong can make homophobic jokes on ESPN, yet Harold Reynolds pays the ultimate price? Explain that to me.

by gmoneymcg on Nov 7, 2006 12:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like Hillman the more I hear about him.

But honestly, I think all of our choices right now are pretty good. Little wary of Black.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Nov 7, 2006 12:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hillman is Cashman's man

I think Beane knows what Cashman WANTS vs. what "the boss" MAKES him do. I bet Beane has been hearing about him for years from Cashman and enjoys the latitude of being able to actually hire him.

Pitching coaches make bad managers but we are talking about a unique position with the A's. Stay out of the way and let the clubhouse run itself. Who cares who they hire since Macha didn't really make a difference anyway?

"A's Brand Baseball: The worst best baseball you've ever seen!" -Chavvy

by ohtobe21likehuston on Nov 7, 2006 12:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Looking at this manager

scene realistically Beane may as well choose a nobody like Garen who no one else is interested in. Because, when it comes right down to it, for Beane, the manager for him is not impotant since he wants to be the guy pulling the strings and doing everything his way. It's as simple as that. All this other stuff is bullshit. He doesn't want to have to put on a uniform and go down there and do it himself. To him it's grunt work. He just needs a guy to carry out what he doesn't have time for. And, it seems like every professional sportswriter who follows the A's has figured that one out.

by Salvatore on Nov 7, 2006 1:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs