A helping of crow, and GM of the year?

[AZZenny]

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OK, you have it purple and white: I have changed my view of Bob Melvin substantially. I already had decided that he did a great job of bringing Micah Owings along, and that counted for a lot. Then he defended Conor Jackson's defense (that he's worked hard and improved a lot in the second half of the season) and a few other positive or insightful comments about various young players. Then you get guys like Cirillo and other veterans saying this is simply the best-communicating group of managers and coaches they've ever seen. I never minded the mix and match lineups too much, although I didn't think he necessarily used guys' strengths to their advantage. And I think strategically he's sub-par. But -- he got us to the NLCS right on the originally optimistic 2007 schedule.

OK, now -- for all the talk of Melvin as Manager of the year, why aren't we hearing Josh Byrnes for GM of the year? HE'S the one who assembled this team, pulled Mark Reynolds from out of his hat, and kept it in budget -- I think he's a brilliant GM.

 

[BC867]

Although Bob Melvin's shy personality as team leader, not sticking with his convictions and goofy lineups drove me crazy all season . . .

He seems to have pulled it all together and has the team overachieving -- not in stats, but in victories.

I have to give credit where credit is due . . . and am sure that strong personalities such as Kirk Gibson, Chip Hale, Tony Clark, etc., played large roles as well.

Congratulations to the entire team for what they accomplished this season, and what might still be accomplished before it's through.

It's fun watching them.

P.S.: Absolutely agree about Josh Byrnes.

 

[CardNots]

I'm not a Melvin fan. Not today, tomorrow or forever.

He is manager of the year in my eyes. I still can't figure out how pulled this off. Now that he is one series from the World Series, he is playing with house money as far as I'm concerned. GO DBACKS!

 

[green machine]

I'll take my helping too. I have been one of the Melvin bashers, and it seems like I owe him an internet message board apology. So with that said, I'm sorry.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Guys I wrong about --

AJ Hinch: Everybody wondered how the Diamondbacks would be able to cope with the loss of Mike Rizzo and replacing him with a guy who had zero previous experience seemed like a big jump backwards. He's still probably no Rizzo, but the drafts are still productive and we're still churning out big leaguers from the farm, even from the most unlikely of sources. Big kudos to him.

Josh Byrnes: I wasn't exactly wrong on him per se as I liked the hire from day one, but he's been so much more than anybody could have hoped for. He's brought in the right guys and made the right moves, and now the rewards are being realized faster than expected. I don't know if MLB gives out a GM of the year award, but he'd be on the shortlist if they do.

Mark Reynolds: I wasn't convinced when I followed and watched him in the minors and spring training, and I wasn't convinced when he came up to the big leagues. I am now. I have no idea how he managed to flip the switch on his glove from terrible to good, but I don't care. He still has a lot of work ahead of him, but he has a bright future ahead of him.

 

[Lefty]

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OK, you have it purple and white: I have changed my view of Bob Melvin substantially. I already had decided that he did a great job of bringing Micah Owings along, and that counted for a lot. Then he defended Conor Jackson's defense (that he's worked hard and improved a lot in the second half of the season) and a few other positive or insightful comments about various young players. Then you get guys like Cirillo and other veterans saying this is simply the best-communicating group of managers and coaches they've ever seen. I never minded the mix and match lineups too much, although I didn't think he necessarily used guys' strengths to their advantage. And I think strategically he's sub-par. But -- he got us to the NLCS right on the originally optimistic 2007 schedule.

OK, now -- for all the talk of Melvin as Manager of the year, why aren't we hearing Josh Byrnes for GM of the year? HE'S the one who assembled this team, pulled Mark Reynolds from out of his hat, and kept it in budget -- I think he's a brilliant GM.

You also are eating crow regarding Tony Clark. You were so adamant against Byrnes signing Tony to a 2-year contract. Tony has contributed not only on the field, but in the dugout. I hope Tony is back next year.

But I too am eating crow regarding Melvin. I wonder if his success will continue next year?

 

[AZZenny]

Thanks, but I'll decide who I eat crow about. (Byrnes didn't sign him to that extension -- 'Puke' did. I might have been more comfortable if it had been Byrnes signing him.)

 

[Lefty]

Thanks, but I'll decide who I eat crow about. (Byrnes didn't sign him to that extension -- 'Puke' did. I might have been more comfortable if it had been Byrnes signing him.)

The Diamondbacks wouldn't be where they are without Tony. His clubhouse presence this year was worth at least a few wins. Don't know why you have such hate for him.