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Out with the old... Bob Melvin and AJ Hinch press conferences

This afternoon saw the press conferences to announce the departure of Bob Melvin and arrival of AJ Hinch as the team's manager. It seems somewhat unusual to give the fired employee a press conference, but Melvin was his usual classy self, saying he bore the franchise no ill-will. Safe to say, I don't think I would be quite so kind, if I got fired and got to speak to the press! Though another reason to question his judgment is Melvin's apparent preference for the Barney Purple uniforms over the Sedona Red ones!

Moving on to the Hinch signing, the big news is that this is not the temporary appointment we expected it to be, with AJ getting a contract through the 2012 season. That is definitely a surprise, with most people expecting this to be a temporary appointment, to see us through the season until a more measured decision could be made during the winter. Not the case: it's clear that Hinch is "the" guy, and in particular, seems he's Josh Byrnes' guy, in a way Bob Melvin perhaps wasn't. However, usimg phrases like "It's been a grind," he's maybe not fallen so far from the BoMel tree...

Overall, Hinch came over a bit nervous, which is understandable given I doubt he's appeared in front of a media swarm very often - before today, "two" probably counted as a swarm! However, he did also seem smart and well-spoken, which is likely also what you'd expect from a Stanford graduate. There seems to be a lot of doubt out there, mostly based around Hinch's lack of experience in the role, but personally, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for the moment. That'll last right up until he brings in Jon Rauch when it's a one-run game... Anyway, here are the conferences for Melvin and Hinch, along with Josh Byrnes talking afterwards to Gambo and Ash

Audio courtesy of KTAR 620

Poll
What do you think of the AJ Hinch appointment?
An excellent choice, he'll do well
21 votes
Got to be better than Melvin
39 votes
Meh. He has a pulse
38 votes
Concerned by his lack of experience
73 votes
Oh, dear. Is that a gurgling sound I hear?
96 votes

267 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 13 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Sorry for the repost

but this thread is more appropriate. The appointment of Hinch is a gutsy call because the decision contains a large, soft underbelly: "A.J. Hinch has no managerial experience. Whatsoever."

The entire front office is aware of that fact, yet they still greenlit the decision. Byrnes / Hall / etc. are not stupid, which means the next few weeks are going to be really interesting. Especially if it works.

I expect underperformers (Byrnes, Young, CoJack, Clark, Rauch, Petit) will be figuratively flogged, and the beatings will continue until performance improves.

by venomfan on May 8, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions  

That answer there

The fact that Hinch HAS no experience makes me think the front office might want to use him as a puppet… I HOPE AJ will make his own mark and I know he’ll have good coaches to rely on but I don’t want him to rely too much or feel pressured by the owners and GM trying to manage the game.

by snakecharmer on May 8, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'm Holding Judgement

That is until the Friday game is over!

Big D

by drdemars on May 8, 2009 8:02 PM EDT reply actions  

LOL

No rush then. :-)

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on May 8, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

As one of my best friend's would say...

Bob Melvin’s a true Cal Bear by preferring purple to any kind of red! ;)

by snakecharmer on May 8, 2009 9:04 PM EDT reply actions  

That amused me.

From a Cal Bear to a ’Furd Card.

Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?

by DbacksSkins on May 9, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

wtf is going on here?

A contract through 2012!?

A.J. Hinch!?!???!?

Josh Byrnes Sucks

by nihil67 on May 8, 2009 11:29 PM EDT reply actions  

Diversity in comments.

It’s catching on. ;-)

Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?

by DbacksSkins on May 9, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

LOL!

has anyone ever not sucked on this team?

KEEP IT SIX!! Desert Dogs belong in the desert!

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 9, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

He's young

he’s hot,I say he fits in well.Let’s face it, every manager had no experience at some point, I’m not holding that against him.A new, fresh approach may be just what is needed.

Nick Adenhart R.I.P.

by hotclaws on May 9, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions  

Well, to be fair,

some managers get their start in the minors first – like Matty. ;-)

AJ’s smart, and he knows what our young guys are capable of. I think he’s gonna be just fine.

In Byrnes We Trust. (Moreso than usual, in this case)

Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?

by DbacksSkins on May 9, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

This seems like an

“All in” type of move tho…. Would have liked to have been a fly on the wall in the conference room when all this was coming down…

KEEP IT SIX!! Desert Dogs belong in the desert!

by unnamedDBacksfan on May 9, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed

Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?

by DbacksSkins on May 11, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

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