New A's manager is Beane's "best man" for the job ...

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Bob Geren will be promoted from bench coach to manager of the Oakland Athletics, according to a high-ranking baseball official.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the team won't introduce Geren as its new manager until Friday, filling the final managerial vacancy in the major leagues this offseason, one month after the A's fired Ken Macha.

General manager Billy Beane went with the most experience and the familiar face, his longtime friend and former high school baseball opponent in San Diego.

Of the three finalists, a list that also included Colorado Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk and ESPN baseball analyst and former Texas Rangers pitching coach Orel Hershiser, only Geren had any managerial experience. He was the first to interview for the job on Oct. 30.

Beane and assistant GM David Forst both were traveling Thursday night and not immediately available for comment. Messages left for Geren weren't immediately returned.

Geren, a catcher for five seasons with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres, spent the 2006 season as bench coach in Oakland after three seasons as bullpen coach in his first stint on a major league coaching staff. He joined the organization in 1999 as manager of Class-A Modesto, then spent the next three seasons managing at Triple-A Sacramento.

The 45-year-old Geren, the best man in Beane's second wedding, had to at least have some confidence in his status with the organization: He bought a house in the Bay Area this year.

Neither Beane nor Geren wanted this to be about their friendship but rather strictly about business, though they believe that having an understanding and a trust certainly won't hurt.

 

Re: New Oakland A's manager is Beane's "best man' for the job ...

I remember him well from the days when the Yanks would carry 3 catchers. He was #3.

 

Re: New Oakland A's manager is Beane's "best man" for the job ...

Interview consisted of the following questions:

BB: Who is the smartest man in baseball?

BG: Why, you, oh wise one.

BB: Who is responsible for the success of the baseball team?

BG: The general manager.

BB: What is the manager's job?

BG: Doing whatever you say.

BB: Why are we going to lose in the playoffs next year?

BG: Because the playoffs are a crapshoot.

BB: How often will you make your own decisions?

BG: Never.

BB: Lastly, who is the anti-Christ?

BG: Joe Morgan.

BB: Great. You're hired! Now get a broom and start sweeping. You'll be a janitor in your off-hours.

 

Re: AP: New Oakland A's manager is Beane's "best man" for the job ...

Hilarious!!

 

Re: AP: New Oakland A's manager is Beane's "best man" for the job ...

Don't forget Ron Hassey.
BTW, the Nokes contract set the team back years, and Mr. Palindrome once hit .30something with the Twins and had a great Strat=O-Matic card. Slaught was also a pretty good hitter for a catcher, Hassey too. Skinner was supposed to be the symbol of them finally realizing that catchers should actually catch, and he was, but he hit .190. Thanks Mike Stanley.

 

Re: AP: New Oakland A's manager is Beane's "best man" for the job ...

Isn't Geren about 6 feet 7?

 

Re: AP: New Oakland A's manager is Beane's "best man" for the job ...

Didn't Skinner have some some serious mental/phobia issues that made it nearly impossible to handle the pressure in the Bronx?

 

Re: AP: New Oakland A's manager is Beane's "best man" for the job ...

Maybe, but he wasn't much of a hitter anywhere else either.

 

Re: AP: New Oakland A's manager is Beane's "best man" for the job ...

Then-White Sox GM Hawk Harrelson moved Carlton Fisk to left field to make room for Skinner, a move Fisk hated.

Skinner hit .201 (OBP of .250) and was traded after 60 games.

 

Unless the A's win several World Series championships in a row ... what will happen to Geren / Beane's friendship when Geren gets the eventual axe?

 

Ask Brian Billick and Jim Fassel.