Approach the signing of our new manager from that perspective and you can't help but be optimistic about the winter and the regular season ahead. So Manny Acta turned us down, because our owner wouldn't throw an extra year on a contract. Can anyone honestly say that they didn't think Drayton McLane would mess up the negotiations process? How that man is a success in the business world is a mystery to me. Bottom line, TCB's main man got away and there's a new man to denigrate/laud depending upon the outcome of a particular game. It's the nature of the beast, and Brad Mills is going to learn that from the get go.
After thinking more and more about what to write I sort of encountered a mental brick wall. DQ and David have ably analyzed Mr. Mills' career to this point, and I don't think I could have done a better job. At this point let's just be thankful that the process is over, Mr. Mills is in tow, and the Astros coaching staff is about to come together.
The bench coach is to baseball as the asst. head coach/coordinator is to football. When an NFL team hires an offensive/defensive coordinator to be a head coach, at least a fan knows what his track record is. How does he handle a particular defense? What are his tendencies? Game management, interaction with his players and preparedness would all be fairly evident from his previous job held. In baseball, we don't have that luxury. Terry Francona, as much as we maybe don't want to hear this, is not Brad Mills. The man Drayton hired as our manager is going to develop his identity as an Astro. Michael Bourn, Lance Berkman, Sammy Gervacio and Bud Norris are going to help define Mills' status as a major league manager. Cecil Cooper wasn't able to do enough with what he was given. Hopefully Brad Mills can.
The Astros' roster is not the Red Sox' roster (in case you hadn't noticed). Kevin Youkilis is not walking through that door, but neither are the higher than high expectations that accompany the Sox year in and year out. Nope, the buzz surrounding Mills' maiden club is low and probably will stay that way until Opening Day. Unless Drayton's stock portfolio improves and a free pitcher lands on his door step, Mr. Mills is going to have a roster that lacks talent and is in need of a major dose of motivation. Some players are going to improve upon their 2009 seasons. Others will go the opposite direction. How Mills deals with all of them will determine whether or not he will be viewed as an improvement upon his predecessors.
Houston Astros manager, Brad Mills. Looks good to me. Now it's time for our new head man to define himself and his team, so that it's the Astros that look good.
0 recs | 23 comments
My favorite part about Brad Mills
is that he has a startling similar physical appearance to John Malkovich.
astrosfanforever - October 28, 2009
I was thinking more of
James “The Ragin Cajun” Carville
Timothy De Block - October 28, 2009
I was just about to comment on that.
In that photo, at least.
Only_A_Lad - October 28, 2009
We'll have to have a contest
Stephen Higdon - October 28, 2009
If you shaved Drayton's head
they’d look like father and son
Joe in Birmingham - October 28, 2009
Technically, we still don't know about the payroll
Justice says Drayton was evasive about it when asked.
I guess there’s always a tiny shred of hope.
OremLK - October 28, 2009
As much as we blast Justice (not without cause), I have to give credit to Justice for asking McLane the “tough questions.” And he is right, it’s a lot easier to kiss ass, as he says, when you ask qustions, particularly when you know you won’t get any answers to tough questions anyway.
And maybe there is a glimmer of hope on the payroll questions. After the first evasive answer about the payroll, Justice follows up by pointing out that McLane told him only 2 weeks ago athat the payroll will be lower. McLane follows with a “that was then” type answer. McLane says that he will have to evaluate season ticket sales and the state of economy when the team comes up with a budget later this year. That seems less definitive than past statements.
clack - October 28, 2009
We're screwed
Until Drayton sells.
Stephen Higdon - October 28, 2009
Wow. Maybe Wade has been reading TCB...
Ed Wade is attempting to describe some game strategy changes he expects from the manager:
clack - October 28, 2009
I knew we could make a difference
…
Stephen Higdon - October 28, 2009
I don't like the name "Millsy"
and I’ve read it too many time the past few days.
To paraphrase:
You can call him Brad
You can call him Mills
You can call him Coach
You can call him Bradley
You can call him Brad Mills
but you dasn’t have to call him Millsy
Joe in Birmingham - October 28, 2009
I couldn't agree more
Stephen Higdon - October 28, 2009 via mobile
Red Sox fans say that the GM, Epstein, and Francona always referred to him as “Millsy.” Like it or not, I think that is the nickname he will go by.
clack - October 28, 2009
Milo sure will like it…
David Coleman - October 28, 2009
Millsy and Milsy?
Joe in Birmingham - October 28, 2009
Millsy reminds me of GW Bush compliment to FEMA director, "You're doing a helluva job Browny", just prior to his firing.
Section13 - October 28, 2009
No bunting early (or more limited at least)
I like that
now if we can add no bunting in extra innings (with some rare exceptions)
Joe in Birmingham - October 28, 2009
I think that if
Mills can be surrounded by talent over the next 3 years that is the only way you can guage his performance.
I think the more daunting task for the Astros is to have its GM and scouting director build a team that will help Mills win.
If Mills can manage the talent the way that Ned Yost did with the early 2000’s Brewers, he will be a success. Now the organization just has to provide him with young talent to do that.
backtocali - October 28, 2009
I think you can fairly easily gauge his performance, even without any large amount of talent on the Astros.
Does he do stupid shit? If no, then he is a good manager. If yes, then he is one of legions of bad managers.
Only_A_Lad - October 28, 2009
Well said
OremLK - October 28, 2009
Right...
This can’t be emphasized enough. We didn’t dislike Cooper just because the Astros weren’t winning. We disliked Cooper because he made bad decisions.
BTastros - October 28, 2009
Here's a nice little story to make you feel good about Mills.
And I’ll credit ferret at SpikesnStars since he made a good find on this article.
Mills’ role in the Red Sox winning Game 2 of the 2007 World Series is described here.
With 2 outs in the 8th, Papelbon is called on for a 4 out save. After Holliday gets a hit, Mills is aware of an advance scouting report which says Holliday’s steal attempts are almost always on the first pitch. Mills flashes a sign to Veritek, who gives a sign to Papelbon. Papelbon wheels and picks off Holliday. It’s the first time Papelbon has picked off a runner in his ML career, and Mills’ attention to detail is credited for the the out.
clack - October 28, 2009
Interesting.
It will be nice to have a manager who really does his homework, which from everything I’ve hard, is Mills’ defining characteristic. Diligence is good.
OremLK - October 29, 2009
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