The Giants announced some coaching changes today including two which should bring widespread approval from the fanbase.
Matt Williams, who had some great moments wearing a Giants uniform as a player will be the new third base coach. He was a first round draft pick who struggled at first to gain a foothold in the major leagues but persevered, worked hard to improve his pitch recognition and became a feared power hitter with 30 or more HR's in 6 seasons with the Giants. Many fans are convinced he would have hit at least 60 HR's in 1994 when he hit 43 despite the season being shortened to 112 games by a strike. He was then involved in the famous/infamous trade that caused such an uproar with the fanbase new GM Brian Sabean felt compelled to address it, starting his speech with the immortal words, "I am not an idiot!" Since retiring as a player, Williams has built up extensive experience coaching and managing in the major leagues as well as a stint managing in the KBO league in Korea. Hmmmm...... Previous 3B coach Gary Hallberg remains with the team, sliding over to first base. No word on what this means for Antoan Richardson's future.
Pat Burrell, who was a key addition to the Giants first championship team in the San Francisco era in 2010, is added as co-hitting coach. Justin Viele remains as the other half of the new tandem and Pedro Guerrero remains as assistant hitting coach.
Manager Bob Melvin also brings his longtime bench coach, Ryan Christensen, with him replacing Kai Correa. Again, no word on Kai's status with the organization.
I would sum up these moves with two words: Respect and gravitas. There is a definite shift in tone with these hires to more of a traditional player-oriented coaching approach with an emphasis on personalities and resumes which will command the respect of the players.
The Giants also announced that assistant coaches Alyssa Nakken, Thaira Uematsu and J. P. Martinez will remain on the staff.
I am in agreement with you Doc!
ReplyDeletei am particularly tickled about Pat Burell!
I am feeling cautious and guarded optomism for the coming season.
Now Farhan make sure you are wearing your big boy pants.
Please discard your slide ruler, and ask the real baseball people what they need.
Richard in Winnipeg
Agree Doc. I'm excited about having good former Giants players with extensive coaching and managing backgrounds. I think Patrick Bailey is lucky to have a former catcher Bob Melvin as manager that he can learn from I loved watching Matt Williams as a player hitting home runs and being smooth on the field while making perfect throws chest high to 1st base. I'm sure that Luciano and Casey Schmidt will learn a lot from him playing the field. What a great pickup pat burrell was by Sabean in 2010 to help them win the WS. I've heard the great work he's done as roving minor league hitting instructor so the kids will benefit having him there. Big loss in the player development staff Agree with Richard, FZ and Melvin worked together with the A's, very important for FZ to listen to Melvin and get him what he and his staff needs
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