Price Speaks Out Against Hinch's Hiring
Ex-Diamondbacks pitching coach Bryan Price speaks out against hiring of AJ Hinch and explains why he left the team after Melvin's firing, as per ESPN.com
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My opinion of Price
just went way down.
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
He makes
a completely valid point, and doesn’t work the team anymore. I don’t feel he’s out of line here.
You wanna cash out, and get the hell outta town. Don't be a baby, remember what you told me.
There are some valid points
but I don’t think he made them well.
Even if he wasn’t a recently-departed employee, his tone is so personal and inflammatory that it overshadows his message. He doesn’t sound like the “consummate professional” we’ve heard so much about since Melvin’s termination. He sounds like an embittered ex-employee lobbing grenades at his old boss.
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
The soap Opera continues....
With Bryan Price’s critical comments about the A.J. Hinch hiring making the rounds – they’re in a story linked on the front page of ESPN.com – we asked Hinch today for his reaction.
Again, here’s what Price, the former pitching coach who resigned after Bob Melvin’s firing, said last week, in a story written by former beat colleague Jack Magruder for the Marin Independent Journal:
"The hiring of A.J., I thought, was a poor decision. A.J. has worked hard to get his credibility in the business in that (player development) side of the game, but he doesn’t have any credibility between the lines as a manager. That, for me, just wasn’t going to work."
"… To me it was a slap in the face not only to Bob but to Chip and to Gibby and to anybody who has actually managed or coached in the past. I thought it bypassed people who were more prepared to finish out the year."
Here’s what Hinch said:
"On the experience, it’s a fact. So it’s hard to negate that. I’m not shaken by it. I have confidence in my abilities running a game and being in this position. We have a job to do and for me to spend a lot of time thinking about the different reactions that are going on out there is negative energy."
Does he expect these kind of reactions?
"These jobs are held in high regard and a lot of people work their tail off to get the opportunity that I was provided. I expected there to be people with positive reactions. I expected there to be some negative reactions. And I expected there to be some in the middle that are swayed either way by the success of this.
"It’s not surprising because of how special these jobs are. I don’t take it personal. I think it’s more directed at the position than it is at me. I have a lot of integrity. I have worked my tail off, on the field and then certainly in my career, to get here. People are going to react how they want to react and I can’t control that."
"They don't like humanoids in general and homo sapiens in particular. That puts their intelligence in no doubt."
by unnamedDBacksfan on May 17, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions
Nice response, AJ
A good deal classier than Price’s apparent sour grapes because one of his buddies didn’t walk into the job.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on May 17, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Classy, my assy ;-)
The first part is fine, well spoken, but the last paragraph hints at what’s wrong with this hire.
I have a lot of integrity
Um….ok. A lot? Wow. OK. Not exactly sure what he’s getting at here. Maybe he’s suggesting Bryan Price’s comments lack integrity, and that he [AJ] has too much integrity to bite back – in which case he’s badly confusing integrity with it’s evil corporate bastard, “organizational advocacy”.
Price questioned the GM’s professional judgment – that’s it. He certainly didnt question anyone’s integrity, yet Andrew feels the need to defend his integrity here for some odd reason? It’s not quite a smoking gun rendering Andrew Unfit To Manage, but betrays the insecure nature we’ve hinted at elsewhere (ie voice quavering at the press conference). Another example of his insecurity is when he says “some will be swayed either way by the success of this” which implies failure as well. The statement has integrity, but doesnt exactly inspire confidence, imo.
I have worked my tail off, on the field and then certainly in my career, to get here
You have? Gee, it sounds like you’ve been fast tracked to take Bob’s job for quite a while then, huh? A secret career path – just between you and Josh? I dont doubt that Andrew worked hard, but it’s almost impossible to read that sentence and not think of the hundreds of managers and coaches toiling across the various minor leagues and the majors for decades, who apparently never got a look from Josh Byrnes. Andrew sounds [almost] like a nephew who just “landed” a job in the family firm, defensively blurting, “I’ve worked really hard to get here!” Yeah, sure. Whatever.
Instead of trumpeting his own hard work and integrity, Andrew might be better served modeling himself after a true professional like Bryan Price. Price is a remarkable coach (MLB’s 2007 Coach of the Year), who sacrificed a well -paying position for principle and loyalty to his professional values. Instead of publicly advocating internal values he doesnt subscribe to, he spoke his mind [bluntly, but professionally, in my mind], then picked up a minor league consulting job in a pinch, that I cant imagine pays very much. If that’s not integrity, I dont know the meaning of the word.
And, incidentally, Jim, you’re snark about Price’s cronies “walking into” the job is an injustice to Price. He said:
To me it was a slap in the face not only to Bob but to Chip and to Gibby and to anybody who has actually managed or coached in the past.
He’s not protecting a crony. He has a professional objection to the direction of this franchise, and is man enough to say so.
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
I heard a kindergarten tantrum,not a grown man leaving a job gracefully.
"Tramps like us,baby we were born to run"
I wouldn't
go that far, but I did hear something in between the two.
Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?
"Not only to Bob but to Chip and to Gibby"
Yeah, because that really sounds like someone calmly expressing “a professional objection” to me. To be honest, Price’s comments sounds a lot more like those of someone who was hoping he’d get the job himself and snipes from afar about how the actual choice wasn’t the right one. If I want to hear that kind of thing. I’d go watch The Apprentice. As for the ‘Coach of the Year’, I feel that carries about as much weight as Melvin’s award for ‘Manager of the Year’ that same season…
Hinch’s qualifications for the job were directly called into question by someone who cut and ran but, rather than moving on, wanted to take cheap pot-shots at his ex-employer – and, also, at Hinch, apparently confusing “experience” with “credibility.” [I’m sure he’d rather have someone like Dusty Baker] Rather than making it equally personal back, Hinch took the better path, and spoke in general terms, explaining that he quite understood how people had different opinions.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on May 18, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you about.....
“Price’s comments sounds a lot more like those of someone who was hoping he’d get the job himself "
And you know what, I don’t blame him at all. Its like when you’ve worked in an office for years, hoping to get that promotion to the top, when the postion opens up, the job goes to the boss’s kid that has never worked in anything close to that postion before.
Weather he is wrong or right in saying what he said, I don’t care, but I totally agree with him. It was a stupied move.
I also liked the term “Organizational advocacy”. That to me just says he was hired to be a “yes man” to the front office. I will be shocked if this move works out, I hope it does, but until then, I’ll be watching a lot more Red Sox games (I’m from new england, not a band wagon’er"
by parrotheadkrm on May 18, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
A yes man?
Well, certainly seems better that, than an organization where the manager and GM are at loggerheads. pulling in opposite directions and trying to undermine each other – which seems to have become something like the case with Melvin and Byrnes Having worked in places like that, it’s not much fun for anyone else around.
And, yes: if you bail on the team now, you absolutely are a bandwagoner.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on May 18, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
+1 on the bandwagoner comment.
(Sorry, parrotheadkrm.)
I can see both sides here, but I also think it’s not at all unusual for a team’s GM to want to have “their guy” in there, and I think it makes sense, for a variety of reasons. BoMel was hired before the 2005 season. JB was hired after the same season. Although they may have worked together well for awhile, BoMel wasn’t Byrnes’ guy.
It’s something that I think seems to happen more in the NFL than MLB for some reason.
Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?
If I want to hear that kind of thing. I’d go watch The Apprentice
lol. You’re not mad at Price for saying anything outlandish. You’re mad at him because these very mainstream charges, coming from a respected insider, might be right. Because it’s at odds with our passionate hopes for the team, and impinges on your personal entertainment.
In this environment, the use of a military term, “cut and run”, is also hilarious – although even I have to admit, the season is starting to resemble a killing field ;-)
Price quit because, in his professional opinion, the GM effectively quit on him and his guys (not only his close friend, Bob, but the players and coaches as well). Being a clubhouse insider doesnt mean he’s entirely right, but I think it confers weight to his assessment, and he obviously feels very strongly about this. Not sure if he has any kids, but strong enough to walk away (not run) from a high paying job in a pitiful economy. Maybe that’s why certain fans are bristling at these rather ominous comments. I mean, we’ve heard it before, but not from this kind of source. Or laid out with quite this clarity and force.
cheers
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
by Diamondhacks on May 18, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
And certainly not
From someone quite likely bearing a grudge against the team first for firing his mate Bob – on whom Price has relied for employment most of the past few years – and then overlooking his mates “Chip” and “Gibby” as replacements. There’s no denying the strength of his view, absolutely – but I certainly question the objective neutrality of the man behind them.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on May 18, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
on the neutrality. Price’s relationship with Melvin is unique, although his professional success, recent job application with the Phillies, and comments here suggest to me he’s a more independent force than sometimes given credit for
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
by Diamondhacks on May 18, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Certainly Price has a right to be upset
but that does not imply a right to go on ESPN and express his displeasure. Keep it to your self, move on, and act like a man. Don’t burn your bridges while you’re upset about something. People can pretty well guess that you’re unhappy, what with you quit and all. “Man enough” to say he’s objecting to the hiring? No, it would have been better to be man enough to keep his mouth shut. It comes across as a snit.
For the record, I’m not too impressed with AJ’s platitudes either. I’m already tired of “belief systems” (not mentioned above but mentioned in the hiring and shortly afterward) and such. Indeed, “integrity” doesn’t apply here. I don’t like all the touch-feely baloney that his hiring and introduction inspired.
’Hacks, why do you call him Andrew? Obviously, that is his given name, but why not “AJ”, which is obviously his preferred moniker?
It's like living with a six-year old.
Price has every right to be upset, but that does not imply a right to go on ESPN and express his displeasure.
He’s not obligated to go on ESPN, nor is he obligated to shut up. He has every right in the world to grant an interview request. As a fan, I greatly appreciate his candor, and would be delighted if he wrote a book on the subject…but only if Selena Roberts wasnt available ;-)
I agree there’s times when the dignified thing is to shut up (like, right now probably), but sometimes dignity requires vocalizing what you believe in, even if it makes other people uncomfortable. I might be swayed as to what’s more appropriate in Price’s instance, but he strikes me more the disenchanted but reasonably dignified whistleblower than an undignified jerk here.
Think of what he didnt say. He didnt call Byrnes a control freak (many others have). He didnt declare the Dbacks season was destined for the cellar (many others have). He didnt say he’d never work for that guy in a million years because AJs a jerk. That would be the undignified tone Jim alluded to in The Apprentice. We’ve kind of lost sight of the fact Price actually complemented Hinch. Called him a hard worker, who built his credibility on the development side. Price just thinks he’s an incredibly square peg in a round hole.
Bryan could’ve walked away without a word, or lobbed an insincere, kind one. Not burnt bridges, as you put it. But that’s not dignity or loyalty to principle, imo. That’s more self-preservation. Political positioning. Saying Hinch is is a bold new leader, or you’ve stepped down from your job to spend more time with your family? Is that dignity? Sounds more like courtesy dressed up as dignity to me :-)
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
by Diamondhacks on May 18, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
You didn't answer my question.
I’m curious to know.
It's like living with a six-year old.
by 4 Corners Fan on May 18, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Where does he say
he’s stepping down to spend more time with his family? Or that Hinch is a bold new leader? He doesn’t. He just blasts the decision. You’re inventing stuff. You’ve taken this in a whole new direction with that.
Not burning bridges isn’t necessarily self-preservation. It’s good sense sometimes, particularly in a world where contacts and who you know are important, such as baseball. .
I still think the greater part of valor would have been to keep his mouth shut. Quitting in support of BoMel spoke volumes of loyalty and dignity, this just makes him look bitter. We could have figured that out.
It's like living with a six-year old.
I think
it somewhat impugns BoMel’s image as well, because one could easily make the jump that Melvin probably felt the same way, but didn’t want to say anything. You’re often judged on the character of those whose company you keep.
Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?
I’m not implying Price said he was spending more time with his family, etc. Those are examples of commonplace bromides that Price eschewed in favor of the truth (as he saw it).
Not burning bridges isn’t necessarily self-preservation. It’s good sense sometimes, particularly in a world where contacts and who you know are important, such as baseball.
Lost me here. What you’re describing is self-interested careerism. Publicly supporting positions one doesnt believe in. I dont really want to argue whether it makes “good sense” or not, as these false courtesies sometimes drive civilization forward. But so does the truth, and that’s what Price was expressing.
Does it make “good sense” for his career? Heck no. I cant imagine this snit, as you call it, bolsters his future job prospects. Price isnt looking to “get ahead”, he’s looking to get even, by exposing what he sees as a mistake and injustice.
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
by Diamondhacks on May 19, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
SO you've refuted all my points
and yet refused to answer the “Andrew” question. Are you showing that you are an insider because you know his real name? And so much of an insider that you don’t call him by the same name anybody else uses? What’s the deal there?
It's like living with a six-year old.
by 4 Corners Fan on May 20, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you answered your own question
It’s his given name.
Calling people something other than their “preferred” moniker is commonplace, around here and baseball generally, so I’m a little taken aback why you’re sooooo adamant I “explain” myself.
For example, most folks here calls me ‘Hacks. That’s not my preferred name. It’s been discussed, but I dont badger people about it. It’s not inherently offensive, tacky, or rude, and there are more interesting things to argue about.
As far as Hinch, specifically, Andrew isnt some sort of campaign. I generally refer to him as AJ, as evidenced in Monday’s The New York Times
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
by Diamondhacks on May 20, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I was curious because
you carefully went through my posts, refuting every point, except where I asked a specific question. It just struck me as you avoiding the particular question, since you’d been so workmanlike in the rest of the post. If you’d answered at first when I was asking if you were involved in the FO, or if you knew him other than as AJ, I wouldn’t have been so pesky.
And what is your given name? I don’t recall seeing you addressed as anything else, but of course I may have missed those discussions. If you’d share that, I’d be careful to use it at all times, per your preference. I know that DiamondHacks is your blog, and I’m — again — curious why, if you don’t want to be called by that name, it’s what you use to post. If I wanted to be called Catherine, I’d put that in my posting name.
Now, since curiousity killed the Cat, I’ll cease calling you out on not answering questions.
End.
It's like living with a six-year old.
by 4 Corners Fan on May 21, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
He prefers
to be called “Diamond” rather than “Hacks”. His given name is his to share.
Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?
My given name
is of Catholic / Uzbek origin: Nun Uvyorbihznisse ;-)
My preferred online name is, not surprisingly, Diamondhacks. Capital D, the rest lower case. No umlauts. As I said, it’s not a big deal, and I invite you to call me what you wish, within reason. But that’s the answer to your question, directed at me.
I further encourage you to disregard ‘answers’ from unauthorized proxies, ostensibly on my behalf.
Thank you
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
by Diamondhacks on May 21, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
And if he wants to burn his bridges, okie doke for him
I just don’t think it’s smart career wise. But if he’s willing to go back to the minors just so he can trash the FO, that’s his choice. I still think he ought to have thought it through a little more.
It's like living with a six-year old.
by 4 Corners Fan on May 20, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
TAP on DBBP provided a
link to a radio interview with Tom Candiotti who gives his take on the situation..
FWIW:
http://ktar.net/blogs/arrr/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/tom-candiotti-5-18-09.mp3
thanks TAP and sorry to steal your thunder.
"They don't like humanoids in general and homo sapiens in particular. That puts their intelligence in no doubt."
by unnamedDBacksfan on May 19, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions
I didn't
see much to be upset about in the article in the original FanShot. Price was just speaking his mind, and I didn’t particularly feel like he was running down AJ or the org. I thought AJ answered very well, though.
Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?
For anyone interested
here’s Price’s comments in full. Unfortunately, the excerpts we’ve latched onto focused on Hinch, but I think if you read the whole thing, it gives a much clearer picture that the rift is between Price/Melvin and Byrnes/Kendrick – over personnel decisions and roster construction, essentially.
If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09
Glad to see you are still ignoring my question.
It's like living with a six-year old.
by 4 Corners Fan on May 20, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
So.....
apparently now Price was pissed off that our hitters weren’t good enough?
Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?
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