Jay Bell revisited

[BC867]

When Wally Backman was named Manager of the Diamondbacks, they wisely named Jay Bell as Bench Coach. A shy, laid back contrast to Backman's volatile personality.

When Backman was un-hired shortly thereafter, and shy, laid back Bob Melvin (previously rejected for the job) was hired, I posted that Jay Bell should be reassigned within the organization.

A more outgoing personality should have been named Bench Coach, to preserve the idea of a contrasting personality as Melvin's backup. It happens within industry all the time.

But the D'backs chose to have laid back personalities in their two top coaching spots. And now we have a team with hardly any gleam in their eyes or fire in their bellies.

I'm not familiar with the personality of each of our other coaches, but it seems that, with perhaps one exception, 1B coach Lee Tinsley, 3B coach Carlos Tosca, hitting coach Mike Aldrete, pitching coach Bryan Price and bullpen coach Glenn Sherlock are pretty much low key guys.

Is it any wonder that the D'backs have become a very uninspired team?

 

[devilalum]

So what your saying is we need a "Bad Cop?"

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Wasnt Jay Bell hired after Backman was fired? I thought so.

Edit: looks that way to me

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1916771

 

[BC867]

Wasnt Jay Bell hired after Backman was fired? I thought so.

Edit: looks that way to me

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1916771

The article said that Jay Bell would be Melvin's bench coach. I thought that meant that Bell would carry over, but I might be remembering it wrong.

Either way, it's not thoughtful management to have a laid back guy serving as Bench Coach to a laid back Manager. I suggested contrasting personalities.

So what your saying is we need a "Bad Cop?"

I don't think "bad cop" as much as a motivator with a stronger personality.

Melvin's post-game press conferences put you to sleep. And we know that Jay Bell has a rather shy personality from his playing days.

 

[AZBALLER]

I don't see the point...You need coaches/managers who bring the best out of their players(peoples)...I'm pretty sure that my 3rd grade teacher didn't bring out the best of me by playing "bad cop", while my principal played good cop.

And if you are making over 1,000,000 during your career, and you need someone to inspire you, then you should be picking up cans on the sidewalk for a living.

 

[HooverDam]

^While thats a cute thought and all, baseball players DO need to be "inspired" or motivated. You see all the time when managers change, certain players improve or get worse. Regardless of the money you are making, anyone in any field will perform their job better if they are working for someone they respect/like.

 

[BC867]

I'm pretty sure that my 3rd grade teacher didn't bring out the best of me by playing "bad cop", while my principal played good cop.

I never advocated "bad cop". Just a contrasting personality. Once again, it happens in business all the time.

Alot of the benefit is behind closed doors. Conversations that the public never hears.