Why the infatuation with former Yanks as Coaches

[destro]

Let's face it, there's a weird culture around some Yanks fans that obsess that their favorite former players should now be coaches/managers for the present team. I don't see the reasoning most of the time behind it aside from "THEY WERE GOOD WHEN THEY WERE HERE." Most of your "great" players would never want to coach or manage as they seem to be trying to recover from the mental rigors of the game. Hence why Reggie Jackson has never gone full time into a coaching position, nor has Nolan Ryan. There are many calls for former 96 - 01 players to return to the team in some coaching capacity of late, and in all honesty I just don't see anything else but "fanboy" like reaction to be able to see your favorite player back in uniform.

We are lucky enough to have old timer's day, shouldn't this be enough? Shouldn't the guys who want to coach/manage get the opportunities rather than fan favorites?

[Clemens831]

There are many calls for former 96 - 01 players to return to the team in some coaching capacity of late, and in all honesty I just don't see anything else but "fanboy" like reaction to be able to see your favorite player back in uniform.

Think you've pretty much answered your own question here...does this really need its own thread?

[PinstripeDynasty]

You're only talking about 2 people: Giradi and Mattingly. In Giradi's case, he's won Manager of the Year, so you can't say it's just about him being a former Yankee and not his managerial skills. Mattingly's been coaching for a few years now, and it's not uncommon for a team to hire a current coach to replace a leaving manager.

Who else are you referring to? I don't see many people asking for David Cone or Jim Leyritz to manage the Yankees.

["The Straw"]

HELLO! Coaches are former players,that's how it works. Who do you want as coaches? Former Beer guys and parking attendents

[hardrain]

Well I agree completely with destro. The nepotism is counter-productive and it limits options.

[hardrain]

HELLO! Coaches are former players,that's how it works. Who do you want as coaches? Former Beer guys and parking attendents

He's talking about former coaches and players with significant ties to the Yankees.

["The Straw"]

If they're qualified what's the problem? Where I'm from loyalty is a good thing.

[destro]

See the "Paulie for Manager" thread.

You're only talking about 2 people: Giradi and Mattingly. In Giradi's case, he's won Manager of the Year, so you can't say it's just about him being a former Yankee and not his managerial skills. Mattingly's been coaching for a few years now, and it's not uncommon for a team to hire a current coach to replace a leaving manager.

Who else are you referring to? I don't see many people asking for David Cone or Jim Leyritz to manage the Yankees.

[destro]

To further my argument, was Gator really the best person for the job the last few years? Or was it simply the fact that he was a former Yankee and a fan favorite?

[Mantle'sMutt]

HELLO! Coaches are former players,that's how it works. Who do you want as coaches? Former Beer guys and parking attendents

Well, I DID apply.

[wang+cano=future]

Usually I am not an anti-thread nazis, but couldn't this have been asked in the O'Neil Manager thread or one of the threads on Torre, Girardi, Mattingly, Pena, or the general New Manager thread?

[Maynerd]

Usually I am anti-thread nazis, but couldn't this have been asked in the O'Neil Manager thread or one of the threads on Torre, Girardi, Mattingly, Pena, or the general New Manager thread?

No, we need to open as many threads as possible about the same two or three subjects. I HATE THE OFF-SEASON. Please, can't we start Spring Training, like, now.

[R.V.47]

Ive never liked this idea although theres no way to complain with Mattinglys job as the hitting coach he did a great job there. However, I just think hiring these guys creates to many problems especially if they are not up to the job. Its hard to fire former players especially ones who were popular with fans and won championships. This is just my opinion and I could be wrong since there doesnt seem to be a lot of outcry for Guidry as pitching coach.

[joposada]

Have they scheduled the Mike Gallego interview yet? I was deeply infatuated with him. And maybe Pat Kelly for hitting coach?

[ppa79]

Bernie Williams is not going to be a coach, either. He went after fly balls like Dora the Explorer and ran the bases like he was blindfolded.

http://yankees.lohudblogs.com/2007/1...-little-sense/

[nnysiny]

If they're qualified what's the problem? Where I'm from loyalty is a good thing.

loyalty doesnt win championships

["The Straw"]

loyalty doesnt win championships

Billy Martin and his former Yankee coaching staff did pretty good Do you want more?

[BigCheese]

You could argue that a former Yankee would have experience with how clubhouse politics (particularly with the ownership) work, as well as a better understanding of how the media interacts with and treats the Yankees.

[TEPLimey]

For the same reason some people would prefer Brosius to ARod. Because they are "true Yankees," have "grit," and "determination."

I am surprised that no one has mentioned immortals like Mike Pagliarulo, Mike Blowers, or Claudell Williams.

And the day Steve Sax or Kevin Maas is telling any Yankee how to play baseball is the day the Yankee franchise dies.

[nnysiny]

Billy Martin and his former Yankee coaching staff did pretty good Do you want more?

a whole 2 out of 26. well im impressed enough

[R.V.47]

You could argue that a former Yankee would have experience with how clubhouse politics (particularly with the ownership) work, as well as a better understanding of how the media interacts with and treats the Yankees.

There wasnt anyone better than Torre when it came to clubhouse politics and media interaction. Those certainly werent the reasons we didnt bring him back. We didnt bring him back because his in game managing skills and bullpen management were bad. The next manager should be an excellent in game tactician and I think Girardi would have an edge there over Mattingly mainly because of Girardis experience as a catcher.

[bullitt245]

Hey... longtime Yankee fan... first post here

First of all, Girardi was successful with a very young Marlins team. As this Yankee team moves forward, the farmhands will be making their debuts, as seen already. Joey G knows how to handle them, especially being a former catcher. Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy will have a great leader to look up to.

Also, unlike many people, I don't think the veterans will be jetset on leaving if Girardi comes in. He was teammates with some of them, including Mo, Posada, and Pettitte. These three guys are almost coaches now to the younger players. If anything, what they want and do will gel with Girardi's plan, not work against it.

Last, but not least, Girardi knows how the system works here. As cranky and stubborn as George, and now, the Steinbrenner family might seem, they will want a fiery manager who wants to win above all else. They also have the means to provide Joe with what he wants. Those that complain about Girardi's problems with Loria have to consider that this is a very different team with a different managerial situation.

[boday]

We were always handicapped by George, Sheff over Vladdy, Damon over Beltran, Giambi over Johnson. You could be a Yankee fan and feel responsible. Now it's Girardi or Mattingly over Hillman. I think we should all start following KC and save the anguish. Come here for the minor league wrteups and go read Posnanski columns. Both headliners are politically correct, boring. There are so many coaches in NY that the manager is a talking head. Joe could only count to three as witness the bullpen maneuvers. I take that back, this year Joe coached better than any year since 98 and got dissed for his troubles. So check out KC this year. Maybe Hillman is auditioning for the failure manager, post Torre.

[Jersey Yankee]

To further my argument, was Gator really the best person for the job the last few years? Or was it simply the fact that he was a former Yankee and a fan favorite?

Kerrigan is immensely more qualified than Louisiana Lightning, yet he remains in the bullpen. I guess that a few years being the Beantown PC & Philly PC don't amount to more than a hill of beans.

Seems more like Big Stein's thinking than ours.

[Jersey Yankee]

Hey... longtime Yankee fan... first post here

First of all, Girardi was successful with a very young Marlins team. As this Yankee team moves forward, the farmhands will be making their debuts, as seen already. Joey G knows how to handle them, especially being a former catcher. Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy will have a great leader to look up to.

Also, unlike many people, I don't think the veterans will be jetset on leaving if Girardi comes in. He was teammates with some of them, including Mo, Posada, and Pettitte. These three guys are almost coaches now to the younger players. If anything, what they want and do will gel with Girardi's plan, not work against it.

Last, but not least, Girardi knows how the system works here. As cranky and stubborn as George, and now, the Steinbrenner family might seem, they will want a fiery manager who wants to win above all else. They also have the means to provide Joe with what he wants. Those that complain about Girardi's problems with Loria have to consider that this is a very different team with a different managerial situation.

Yes, he has that advantage, and hopefully, neither he nor his PC don't get into any arguments with the FO, and him backing them.

I presume that he won't have to any arguments over haircuts or any other trivialties.

I'm wondering how these guys actually get along with the players. I haven't heard diddly squat on how Donnie Baseball gets along with the current players. He's said that "experience" is his most cited question. If so, I'm not sure about how his media reply to managing while he's on the dugout and thinking of things to do would work. Does he have better solutions for in-game management?

It's not too hard figuring out who the next Yankee manager will be. A simply straightforward reply to a simple question is all it takes:

[Jersey Yankee]

There wasnt anyone better than Torre when it came to clubhouse politics and media interaction. Those certainly werent the reasons we didnt bring him back. We didnt bring him back because his in game managing skills and bullpen management were bad. The next manager should be an excellent in game tactician and I think Girardi would have an edge there over Mattingly mainly because of Girardis experience as a catcher.

I asked on another board and several people said that he'd killed some of the young arms over in Florida. Dusty Baker's got more experience than both of 'em, but that doesn't mean I'd want him either, even if Cincy hadn't interviewed him.

[montrealer]

My vote for me would be NYYFans.com to manage.......seems we`re all experts and know every f*cking thing.

[The Yankee Captain]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned immortals like Mike Pagliarulo, Mike Blowers, or Claudell Williams.

There is not a Claudell WIlliams for manager thread, but there is a Claudell Washington one.

[TEPLimey]

There is not a Claudell WIlliams for manager thread, but there is a Claudell Washington one.

Claudell Williams is Claudell Washington and Gerald Williams' adopted son.

[BRNXBMRS]

My vote for me would be NYYFans.com to manage.......seems we`re all experts and know every f*cking thing.

Know thats an idea, first question to the 3,000 new mgrs. Is Joba going into the rotation or staying in the BP?

[Hitman23]

To further my argument, was Gator really the best person for the job the last few years? Or was it simply the fact that he was a former Yankee and a fan favorite?

I agree with this. Alot. As far as this Mattingly thing goes, I am as big a fan as anyone is. He is the reason I am a baseball fan, and he's the reason I'm a Yankee fan. But is he the best option or is it just a name? I'll back whatever decision they make, but I just hope the decision isn't being influenced by the name.

[WTrain44]

Claudell Williams is Claudell Washington and Gerald Williams' adopted son.

Gerald Williams for manager!

[dkman]

I agree with this. Alot. As far as this Mattingly thing goes, I am as big a fan as anyone is. He is the reason I am a baseball fan, and he's the reason I'm a Yankee fan. But is he the best option or is it just a name? I'll back whatever decision they make, but I just hope the decision isn't being influenced by the name.

I think it's influenced by the name. I hope Mattingly doesn't get it for 2 reasons. One, he has zero real experience managing, which might be ok, except this is the New York Yankees. There can't be too much learning on the job. Two, I don't know why he got the hitting coach job in the first place. He really didn't have that great of a swing and relied more on timing then a quality hips lead the hands swing.

[effdamets]

I agree with this. Alot. As far as this Mattingly thing goes, I am as big a fan as anyone is. He is the reason I am a baseball fan, and he's the reason I'm a Yankee fan. But is he the best option or is it just a name? I'll back whatever decision they make, but I just hope the decision isn't being influenced by the name.

I'm beginning to feel as though Georgie wants to get Donnie a World Series ring and he is forcing Mattingly on this managerial assignment.

I guess we'll find out soon enough!