If we win today we will have the same record as last year: Toast to the D-backs

[DiamondBacks5117]

Just thought id throw that out there.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-b...2013-arizona-diamondbacks-034219196--mlb.html

 

[Mulli]

Need more grit next year

 

[PDXChris]

Need more grit next year

Maybe their calculation to determine grit is off.

 

[Heucrazy]

Has any team ever gone 81-81 two years in a row before? At least that's something cool

 

[Gee!]

What a way to end the season.. With a second half whimper..

 

[BC867]

"Kirk Gibson needs to let loose."

Dan Bickley's latest article was critical of Kirk Gibson's lack of inspiration to his team. His monotone Press conferences after every game, his face rigid without moving a muscle, mumbling his words are disappointing for the 'front man', the Manager.

Of course, I agree with it. I've been reacting to Gibson's flacid leadership for some time.

Kirk Gibson needs to let loose. The Diamondbacks manager needs to be more like he was as a player: intense, temperamental, the only man capable of winning an MVP award without appearing in an All-Star Game.

The guy his teammates wouldn’t dare question, cross or let down.

This is not meant to condemn Gibson for the Diamondbacks’ failures in 2013. His lineup lacked impact hitters. The injuries were significant. The rotation was substandard. The bullpen was a debacle.

An influx of top-flight talent is needed before this team returns to the playoffs.

But there is a striking contrast between what we thought we were getting in Gibson, and what the Valley has seen over his three years as full-time manager.

Most of us believed we were getting a fiery baseball icon, a table-turning spitfire who would have to learn his managerial chops along the way. Instead, we’ve witnessed a surprisingly capable strategist who is a perpetual grinder, always prepared, talks in a monotone, chained to an even keel and who rarely looses his cool at anyone or anything.

In the process, he is failing to address his team’s emotional needs.

I am also not to happy with Gibby's inability to make decisions, treating all 162 games as Spring Training.

Towers said Gibby will be back, but indicated that none of the Coaches (whose contracts are all expiring) is a given to return. I guess Towers and Gibson are going to go down together. Another .500 season. Our two in a row isn't a record. Three in a row would be.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/dia...nager-kirk-gibson-must-show-more-fire-in.html

 

[Lefty]

Dan Bickley's latest article was critical of Kirk Gibson's lack of inspiration to his team. His monotone Press conferences after every game, his face rigid without moving a muscle, mumbling his words are disappointing for the 'front man', the Manager.

Of course, I agree with it. I've been reacting to Gibson's flacid leadership for some time.



I am also not to happy with Gibby's inability to make decisions, treating all 162 games as Spring Training.

Towers said Gibby will be back, but indicated that none of the Coaches (whose contracts are all expiring) is a given to return. I guess Towers and Gibson are going to go down together. Another .500 season. Our two in a row isn't a record. Three in a row would be.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/dia...nager-kirk-gibson-must-show-more-fire-in.html

Gibson is not the entire problem, it's the front office.

 

[Mulli]

I would like one example of a manager improving the team on the field by showing more emotion or whatever in the dugout.

 

[BC867]

I would like one example of a manager improving the team on the field by showing more emotion or whatever in the dugout.

My comment centered on Gibby's lack of enthusiasm in Press conferences after every game. As the figurehead, motivating the public is part of his job.

Bickley, as a reporter, sees what goes on behind the scenes. His conclusion is, "Kirk Gibson needs to let loose. The Diamondbacks manager needs to be more like he was as a player: intense, temperamental ... the guy his teammates wouldn’t dare question, cross or let down ... but there is a striking contrast between what we thought we were getting in Gibson, and what the Valley has seen over his three years as full-time manager ... most of us believed we were getting a fiery baseball icon, a table-turning spitfire ..."

Neither you nor I is as close to the situation as a reporter. Your comment about "showing more emotion or whatever in the dugout" doesn't even begin to address the points that Bickley pointed out.

I accept Bickley's opinion about Gibson because I, too, have been concerned about that for quite awhile.

His personality (which is part of any manager's job, whether in sports or industry) is just not that of a front man. And, with his visibility, it hurts the team. He has fallen into a groove as a mediocre manager.

 

[AZ Native]

Gibson reminds me more of Tom Landry. Stoic in public, tore into his players in private. Actually, it is a very good management technique.

Also, siding with Bickley, well that says it all. Yeah, let's please the guy from Chicago. lol

Bickley needs to write this crap to keep his job. You don't see him coaching an MLB team. "Bickley, as a reporter, sees what's going on behind the scenes", You have got to be kidding me! This hack is going to tell Gibson how he should behave and you are buying this crap? You accept Bickley's opinion as truth, fine, maybe you could take over his job. But certainly not Gibson's.

Bottom line: Being in management (manager) is a totally different job than being a player.

 

[UncleChris]

Anyone ever notice that Gibson doesn't swing his arms when he walks? Kinda creepy looking.....

 

[Mulli]

I don't accept Bickley's opinion on anything.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

While it will never happen, the Dbacks should find something else for Matt Williams to do in the organization. He consistently makes poor decisions on when to send runners at 3rd base.

 

[BC867]

While it will never happen, the Dbacks should find something else for Matt Williams to do in the organization. He consistently makes poor decisions on when to send runners at 3rd base.

The Washington Nationals' top two choices for Manager are bench coach Randy Knorr and . . . Matt Williams.

I hope Matty gets it. His background and personality are too similar to Gibby's to follow him as Manager of the D'backs.

On a related note, it was in the news today that the D'backs are stalling on decisions on contract extensions for Kevin Towers and Kirk Gibson.

The Diamondbacks have given no reason to believe General Manager Kevin Towers and manager Kirk Gibson won’t be back for 2014. Beyond that, they’re not saying.

After the 2011 season, the Diamondbacks gave Towers and Gibson three-year contract extensions that included options for 2015 and 2016. At the time, CEO Derrick Hall said the team would need to decide on those options after the 2013 season.

Reached Monday, Hall declined to comment on the situation. It is not known if the options were picked up, declined or if a decision had even been made.

It leaves the situation open to speculation, and given that the club was willing to comment two years ago when contracts were given out, it could be that the team doesn’t want to publicly acknowledge that its top baseball leaders will be heading into next season on one-year deals.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/dia...irk-gibson-kevin-towers-contract-options.html

 

[BC867]

Bickley needs to write this crap to keep his job. You don't see him coaching an MLB team. "Bickley, as a reporter, sees what's going on behind the scenes", You have got to be kidding me! This hack is going to tell Gibson how he should behave and you are buying this crap?

Do you really think this topic is about Bickley? Or me?

It is about addressing the problems of Gibson in his first and only managerial job after a few years of evaluation.

-- Regressing over the past two years as Manager.
-- Uninspiring in front of the cameras.
-- Rumors about his players unhappy with Gibson's lack of commitment to a set lineup.
-- Saying one thing to the Press, then abandoning it the next day, over and over. There is a difference between being coy once in awhile and complete lack of credibility.

 

[AZ Native]

Do you really think this topic is about Bickley? Or me?

It is about addressing the problems of Gibson in his first and only managerial job after a few years of evaluation.

-- Regressing over the past two years as Manager.
-- Uninspiring in front of the cameras.
-- Rumors about his players unhappy with Gibson's lack of commitment to a set lineup.
-- Saying one thing to the Press, then abandoning it the next day, over and over. There is a difference between being coy once in awhile and complete lack of credibility.

Sorry, BC, it is about Bickley only. He throws $hit on the wall and hopes some of it sticks. Gibson is not the problem, he is the only reason we won half of our games with this disaster. JMHO

 

[BC867]

Sorry, BC, it is about Bickley only. He throws $hit on the wall and hopes some of it sticks. Gibson is not the problem, he is the only reason we won half of our games with this disaster. JMHO

Thanks, but what about the $hit I threw on the wall:

-- Regressing over the past two years as Manager.
-- Uninspiring in front of the cameras.
-- Rumors about his players unhappy with Gibson's lack of commitment to a set lineup.
-- Saying one thing to the Press, then abandoning it the next day, over and over. There is a difference between being coy once in awhile and complete lack of credibility.

And I really believe that Gibby and his pitching coach need to be held accountable for the disappointing performances of all but three of his pitchers. I just don't think the manager and coaches deserve passing grades.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Thanks, but what about the $hit I threw on the wall:

-- Regressing over the past two years as Manager.
-- Uninspiring in front of the cameras.
-- Rumors about his players unhappy with Gibson's lack of commitment to a set lineup.
-- Saying one thing to the Press, then abandoning it the next day, over and over. There is a difference between being coy once in awhile and complete lack of credibility.

And I really believe that Gibby and his pitching coach need to be held accountable for the disappointing performances of all but three of his pitchers. I just don't think the manager and coaches deserve passing grades.

Gibby isn't going anywhere - unless he decides to leave on his own. Both he and KT are safe, at least for 2014. I think it's all but certain that Nady is gone. And I wouldn't be surprised if any of Trammell, Baylor and/or Williams is gone as well. I've heard Williams could be in the running for the Nats manager position.

 

[Dback Jon]

Gibby isn't going anywhere - unless he decides to leave on his own. Both he and KT are safe, at least for 2014. I think it's all but certain that Nady is gone. And I wouldn't be surprised if any of Trammell, Baylor and/or Williams is gone as well. I've heard Williams could be in the running for the Nats manager position.

What does Xavier have to do with the Dbacks? He hasn't played for us in years

 

[82CardsGrad]

What does Xavier have to do with the Dbacks? He hasn't played for us in years

LOL... Nagy! Nagy! Nagy!!

 

[Dback Jon]

LOL... Nagy! Nagy! Nagy!!

+++

 

[BC867]

Gibby isn't going anywhere - unless he decides to leave on his own. Both he and KT are safe, at least for 2014.

That is what the Front Office says. But in backing off picking up his 2-year option at the end of the season, it makes him a lame duck.

It is plausible that, if the D'backs have not improved by later in the 2014 season, Gibby could be cut earlier than a year from now, with less time left on his contract.

But I agree that they will open the season with him and see how the players respond, which is probably the biggest key.


Regarding that, I have a philosophy that there is a major difference between being tired and being weary. Playing a 162-game schedule makes you tired. But you can sleep off being tired.

Coming to the ballpark every day not knowing if you're playing, where you're playing, will you play two games in a row, etc., makes you weary. You can't prepare adequately, especially emotionally. You can't sleep that off. It weighs on you.

That is what I mean by seeing how the players respond.

It also comes down to the skill of the manager and coaching staff. There is no way that Miguel Montero should have remained a .230 hitter all season, swinging from the heels and saying he's not going to change a thing. That makes the coaching staff sound awfully weak.

 

[AZ Native]

Thanks, but what about the $hit I threw on the wall:

-- Regressing over the past two years as Manager.
-- Uninspiring in front of the cameras.
-- Rumors about his players unhappy with Gibson's lack of commitment to a set lineup.
-- Saying one thing to the Press, then abandoning it the next day, over and over. There is a difference between being coy once in awhile and complete lack of credibility.

And I really believe that Gibby and his pitching coach need to be held accountable for the disappointing performances of all but three of his pitchers. I just don't think the manager and coaches deserve passing grades.

Sure you have the right to throw it all against the wall. And I respect that right, and the passion you bring. But in my opinion: Regressed: No. cameras? Don't care. Rumors? Just that. Telling the press one thing...He owes the press nothing. What he should tell them what he is going to do? Screw them. The bottom line is, I believe we won more games (especially all those extra inning games) BECAUSE of Gibson and his managerial skills. Again, just my opinion.

 

[Matt L]

Thanks, but what about the $hit I threw on the wall:

-- Regressing over the past two years as Manager.
-- Uninspiring in front of the cameras.
-- Rumors about his players unhappy with Gibson's lack of commitment to a set lineup.
-- Saying one thing to the Press, then abandoning it the next day, over and over. There is a difference between being coy once in awhile and complete lack of credibility.

And I really believe that Gibby and his pitching coach need to be held accountable for the disappointing performances of all but three of his pitchers. I just don't think the manager and coaches deserve passing grades.

-- Uninspiring in front of the cameras. I hate the Bickley article and my reasons have nothing to do with the writer. In one of his arguments, Bickley is complaining that Gibson is not coming after players on other teams for their steroid use, the way they showboat, or whatever else is going on in the league. I don't want the manager of my team criticizing other players or teams for how they perform. He has no control over that and doing so allows for excuses to build. I like his responses to the Braun situation (we had chances to win that series, he has personally played on teams that have won against teams with steroid users). I want him to remind his team that if they play their game, they can and will win.

Rumors about his players unhappy with Gibson's lack of commitment to a set lineup.
1. I think lineup construction is pretty overrated.
2. Of our current roster, there are a handful of players who should have a set spot in the lineup: I think Goldschmidt should bat 3 every day. I think Aaron Hill is a good 2 or 5 hitter. I think Prado is a good spot in the 2 hole every day. If Eaton can show the same OBP he had in the minors, I think he is a good leadoff hitter. However, we have not had a prototypical hitter for the clean up spot and and everyone else's lineup spot is fungible.

I don't know of any examples of him speaking about of both sides of his mouth to the press, but that really does not bother me. His goals and the goals of the press are not the same.

I really do not think the team was a .500 ball club because of him. I think it had a lot more to do with the roster construction than Gibson.

 

[BC867]

-- Uninspiring in front of the cameras. I hate the Bickley article and my reasons have nothing to do with the writer. In one of his arguments, Bickley is complaining that Gibson is not coming after players on other teams for their steroid use, the way they showboat, or whatever else is going on in the league. I don't want the manager of my team criticizing other players or teams for how they perform. He has no control over that and doing so allows for excuses to build. I like his responses to the Braun situation (we had chances to win that series, he has personally played on teams that have won against teams with steroid users). I want him to remind his team that if they play their game, they can and will win.

Rumors about his players unhappy with Gibson's lack of commitment to a set lineup.
1. I think lineup construction is pretty overrated.
2. Of our current roster, there are a handful of players who should have a set spot in the lineup: I think Goldschmidt should bat 3 every day. I think Aaron Hill is a good 2 or 5 hitter. I think Prado is a good spot in the 2 hole every day. If Eaton can show the same OBP he had in the minors, I think he is a good leadoff hitter. However, we have not had a prototypical hitter for the clean up spot and and everyone else's lineup spot is fungible.

I don't know of any examples of him speaking about of both sides of his mouth to the press, but that really does not bother me. His goals and the goals of the press are not the same.

I really do not think the team was a .500 ball club because of him. I think it had a lot more to do with the roster construction than Gibson.

-- UNINSPIRING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA -- I was not referring to steroid users. I mentioned how Gibby does not have the personality to be the most visible member of management on TV night after night. That dull monotone, almost mumbling. No enthusiasm, not moving a muscle. There is more to being a manager than managing.

-- RUMORS ABOUT HIS PLAYERS UNHAPPY -- If that is being reported, it is a factor. Managers with unhappy players don't keep their jobs too long. The Front Office not extending his contract (and that of Towers) at this time as previously promised certainly indicates hesitation by the powers that be.

A problem. An outcome. It doesn't look good for Gibby's future as D'backs manager. Justifying it as a fan doesn't change it.