Ken Macha is Glenn Close waiting to jump out of the bathtub. You thought the concept of Macha as the A's manager was dead. You'd already moved on.
And then like JR being shot on Dallas, it was all a dream.
I was never a huge Macha hater like many around here, but I'd also gotten in the mindset of accepting a change. I'd even started to look forward to seeing another person making the decisions. Perhaps Ron Washington was finally going to get his chance. Maybe lifelong friend Bob Geren was going to get a shot. Maybe even A's killer Orel Hershiser was about to join.
But Macha? I'd put that memory to rest like moving on from an ex-wife. Guess what? The ex-wife is back and we're married to her for another three years.
They were discussing it on KNBR and many think that it was Billy Beane who relented and realized he made a mistake letting Macha go. I personally think that Macha suddenly realized that his only option was the A's or unemployment. So, I imagine the conversation went something like this:
Macha: "Hi Betty, is Billy in?"
Betty: "Who is this?"
Macha: "It's Ken. Ken Macha."
Betty: "Geren, stop playing around."
Macha: "No, really, it's Ken. Can I just talk to him please?"
Betty: "OK, please hold."
Hold music plays New Edition's Home Again.
Billy picks up.
Beane: "Is this really Macha?"
Macha: "Yeah, Billy it's me."
Beane: "Ken, I've got interviews with DeFrancesco and Hershiser coming up. I don't really have time to chat."
Macha: "Billy, you remember the time when I brought Rincon in to face Todd Walker in the Boston series the second time and he hit another home run?"
Beane: "Ken, the whole world remembers that."
Macha: "Well, I think I made a big mistake again. I really never wanted to leave Oakland, except that Pittsburgh job was so appealing. I interviewed and they realized they wanted Jim Tracy instead."
Beane: "Hoofah, how bad is it when Pittsburgh doesn't want you? What's your point, Ken?"
Macha: "I want a chance to finish what I started and I'll accept your original offer."
Beane: "Ken, this is going to look bad for everyone involved. We publicly claimed it was over. We're going to start to look like Pam Anderson and Tommy Lee."
Macha: "I'm OK with that. I just want my job back."
Beane: "All right, I guess. Man, Washington and Geren are going to be pissed."
Macha: "Don't worry, my calm demeanor will help rub off on them."
Beane: "That's what I'm afraid of."
Yes, folks, Mild-Mannered Macha and his gum chewing are officially back. We had all moved on to new possibilities. New opportunities.
But the dream is over and we've got Macha back. Dream on.
