From today's Free Press:
October 31, 2008
Tigers rehire fired coach; decline Edgar Renteria's $12-million optionBY JON PAUL MOROSI FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
The Tigers on Thursday announced Jeff Jones' replacement as bullpen coach.
His name: Jeff Jones.
Roughly one month after firing him, the team rehired Jones for the job he held the past two seasons.
So what changed between Sept. 28 and Oct. 30? The Tigers hired Rick Knapp as their new pitching coach.
Manager Jim Leyland, who hires the coaches, wanted input from Knapp, and Knapp preferred that the bullpen coach have a pitching background. That revived the candidacy of Jones, who pitched for Oakland in the 1980s.
"Some people are going to say, 'They don't know what they're doing,' " Leyland said Thursday of the unusual transaction. "But the worst thing to do would have been to not talk to Jeff Jones. We got a very talented guy -- someone who's been a loyal Tiger for a number of years, a guy our new pitching coach felt comfortable with.
"I don't care what things look like. I'm interested in getting things right."
Tigers rehire fired coach; decline Edgar Renteria's $12-million optionBY JON PAUL MOROSI FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
The Tigers on Thursday announced Jeff Jones' replacement as bullpen coach.
His name: Jeff Jones.
Roughly one month after firing him, the team rehired Jones for the job he held the past two seasons.
So what changed between Sept. 28 and Oct. 30? The Tigers hired Rick Knapp as their new pitching coach.
Manager Jim Leyland, who hires the coaches, wanted input from Knapp, and Knapp preferred that the bullpen coach have a pitching background. That revived the candidacy of Jones, who pitched for Oakland in the 1980s.
"Some people are going to say, 'They don't know what they're doing,' " Leyland said Thursday of the unusual transaction. "But the worst thing to do would have been to not talk to Jeff Jones. We got a very talented guy -- someone who's been a loyal Tiger for a number of years, a guy our new pitching coach felt comfortable with.
"I don't care what things look like. I'm interested in getting things right."
This was pretty crazy. Could it have been a lovers spat that got patched up?
ReplyDeleteBullpen coaches are managers buddies. They eat together, sit next to eachother on the plane, he is someone that you can go to bitch to, and he ususally knows the hottest spots in town.
They also make sure that the beer is cold and he is the chaperone for the infamous bullpen catcher who travels with the team.
I know I am confused. If the bullpen coach is the manager's buddy, why did he get fired to begin with? Was he a whipping boy with Chuck Hernandez? On the postive note, if the Tigers are that impressed with Knapp and it is his show - go for it because what does a bull pen coach do? Knapp will be responsible for mechanics and jones for making sure pitchers are getting in their workouts. What about Zumaya? Will he be back? or did he buy the latest version of Guitar Hero. I play my son's game and am pretty good at Wanted Dead or Alive - if i don't say so myself. Sure am happy for the Phillies -- hope it is us next year.
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