But Arizona’s young foundation appeared to underachieve last season— the team finished 82-80, two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the pallid National League West — and a poor start to 2009 doomed Melvin, who was popular among players but less so in a front office that questioned his commitment to the club’s build-from-within philosophies. General Manager Josh Byrnes explained Hinch’s arrival by repeatedly citing his “organizational advocacy,” a euphemism for which the team was roundly mocked; Hinch’s page on the Web site Baseball-Reference.com was quickly sponsored by a Diamondbacks fan who cackled, “A J Hinch ... brimming with organizational advocacy.”
He has a psychology degree from Stanford.
I'm still pissed off that they fired Altuve.
This doesn't sound like a good hire. Gardenhire became available today. He's a really good manager; I'd have liked to see what he could have done, rather than the gadfly oddball they hired. Another PR mistake, in my opinion.
Doesn't really seem like a PR mistake. It would take some effort to form an opinion one way or another with this move.
Yeah, none of us have a clue if he's a good manager or not.
He and Luhnow will get along well. He'll do exactly what Luhow wants, in my opinion.
I'll be more charitable and say that this hire is more likely to appreciate the perspective of the FO.What it really means in all likelihood is that the countdown has started on Ground Control and Major Jeff. He has his ideal manager and he also has an owner who has publicly expressed dissatisfaction in how the last firing went down. And, presumably, the owner wants to win some day. I would imagine that Major Jeff's tether for his extra vehicular activity is getting a bit more taut.
...he also has an owner who has publicly expressed dissatisfaction in how the last firing went down.
