Story Created:
May 18, 2009
Story Updated:
May 18, 2009
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has made his choice for manager between 2009-10.
It's Ken Macha, the former Oakland A's skipper.
He has two division titles in his resume.
He also has a reputation, whether deserved or not, of having some problems communicating with his players.
Was he the best guy for Doug Melvin to pick?
There's no way to completely say before he ever manages a game.
Our experts will try anyway.
| 620WTMJ's Expert (alphabetically) |
His Opinion of Macha |
Kyle Dlabay
620WTMJ's Brewers Clubhouse Insider
E-mail | More |
Look at the numbers.
Whether it's fair or not, when most people think of Ken Macha's tenure in Oakland they remember how it ended. The A's were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 ALCS and Macha was then fired by GM Billy Beane who Macha had an interesting relationship with to say the least. Experience and success in the big leagues were the main two prerequisites for the Brewers managerial position and Macha definitely fits both of those. His teams in Oakland never won less than 86 games. Milwaukee has won more than 86 games only once since 1992. That speaks for itself. |
Bill Michaels
Sports Central
E-mail | Blog |
Solid manager who knows how to get the most out of the talent he's dealt.
Is he a good fit for the crew? That’s the question that gets asked to me most often. After listening to those who covered and knew Macha long before we did here in Milwaukee , it sounds like the Brewers are getting a no nonsense kind of guy where results matter most and not egos or feelings. Macha brings an “open door” policy but isn’t going to be your best friend because he’s judged by wins and losses. Macha believes in character and effort in both himself and his players.
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Jay Sorgi
News and Sports Anchor/Reporter, 620WTMJ
E-mail |
Does 36 years of familiarity trump a World Series ring?
Doug Melvin and Ken Macha are about to attempt to answer that question. It was obvious the top two candidates were Macha and former World Series-winning manager Bob Brenly, who earned his October (or really, November) bling in Arizona. Macha never did that in Oakland; then again, he didn't have Schilling, the non-broadcasting Big Unit, Matt Williams or Luis Gonzalez on his squads. He was also a more consistent winner. But the big thing is that he's got a long-standing relationship with Melvin, and sometimes the ability to communicate with your boss and work together trumps a bigger resume. |
Todd "The Llama" Welter
Sports Central Producer
E-mail | Blog |
Bob Brenly still would have been a better hire but some times you got to go with what you know.
Doug Melvin knows Ken Macha very well from their 2003 courtship. Its funny how when you need a job suddenly the Brewers job looks really nice after all. It can't hurt that the Brewers 2009 version will be better than the Brewers 2003 even without CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. What is interesting is the two year deal. This shows either that Melvin may not trust Macha to change enough to at least have his players not mind him or Macha is such an established winner with a solid roster returning that no grace period is needed. . |
