Elliott: Terry Ryan, Minnesota Nice

[Seth Stohs]

http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/canadian-baseball-network-articles//elliott-terry-ryan-minnesota-nice

 

 

Bob Elliott is a Hall of Fame writer from the Canadian Baseball Network. He wrote a (very long) tremendous article on former Twins GM Terry Ryan. 

 

I don't typically read a lot, but I hung on to each word in this article. It discusses his oppotunity to be the GM of the Blue Jays in 2001, which he declined. There are probably a dozen stories from various people including Corey Koskie, LaTroy Hawkins, Justin Morneau, Sal Butera, Howie Norsetter and many others.

 

Definitely worth the time to read it. 

[Thrylos]

Here are my reactions to that bit:

 

a. Kinda sick and tired of the media behaving like Terry Ryan retired and was not fired because of incompetence

b. Who cares how nice the guy was, since his teams finished either last or were just not good enough

c. Love the title, but I suspect that the author does not quite grab the sarcasm in the phrase "Minnesota Nice" that fits Ryan to a T.

d. Double sick of hearing about that contraction story, a contraction that Ryan as a GM architected for his boss.

e. I'd love to read a piece that would evaluate Ryan based on actual results vs being "nice" to his buddies

f. Wish I could have the Barney soundrack to play while reading that. Perfect backdrop to that article.

[DaveW]

 

Here are my reactions to that bit:

 

a. Kinda sick and tired of the media behaving like Terry Ryan retired and was not fired because of incompetence

b. Who cares how nice the guy was, since his teams finished either last or were just not good enough

c. Love the title, but I suspect that the author does not quite grab the sarcasm in the phrase "Minnesota Nice" that fits Ryan to a T.

d. Double sick of hearing about that contraction story, a contraction that Ryan as a GM architected for his boss.

e. I'd love to read a piece that would evaluate Ryan based on actual results vs being "nice" to his buddies

f. Wish I could have the Barney soundrack to play while reading that. Perfect backdrop to that article.

a. To be fair it was pretty clear that Ryan was given the option of "when" to leave, and chances are he wasn't going to stick around anyways.

b.This is an article about Terry Ryan the person, it's perfectly reasonable to discuss how "nice" he was and what people thought of him. Listen, I wanted Ryan gone as much as anyone, but I'm not going to pretend he didn't do ANY good here, this was a damn fun team to watch for several years during his first run as GM for this club, clearly he was/is a well respected baseball man, and had some nice success that first run as well.

c. Irrelevant.

d. I think that is a little inflammatory and harsh, Ryan had nothing to do with the contraction and hardly was tanking.

e. There are plenty of pieces that have discussed that, along with 1,000 threads on Twinsdaily, I really think you missed the point of this article. There is a human side to the game... it's not like this was published by fangraphs.

f. Then why read it?

[drivlikejehu]

The problem is that Ryan's strength was also his weakness . . . he let loyalty to those around him take priority over the interests of the organization. He inexplicably resisted adapting to changes in the game. He was the classic case of a natural subordinate who rose to leadership and wasn't suited for it. He talked about accountability but didn't practice it. 

[Halsey Hall]

That was a very good article.  Obviously I don't agree with some folks.

[The Wise One]

Interesting Norlander talking about analytics.  Of course they probably were not real analytics to the SABR crowd here that complain about the Twin's analytics.

[Everyday Eddy]

Classic case of "nice guys finish last."    He wasn't cut out for the cutthroat world of professional sports, and that's ok.    I blame ownership for not recognizing it sooner, and Terry a little bit for not realizing he just wasn't meant for the job anymore.

[Mike Sixel]

Wow, lots of great nuggets in there, thanks Seth.

 

I don't, for one minute, think TR finished last.....nor do I think his being a great human being held him back. I wish more leaders had those traits. Thinking that you have to be mean to be a great leader.....well.....why do we think so many people don't like work? 

 

great stuff.

[Everyday Eddy]

 

Wow, lots of great nuggets in there, thanks Seth.

 

I don't, for one minute, think TR finished last.....nor do I think his being a great human being held him back. I wish more leaders had those traits. Thinking that you have to be mean to be a great leader.....well.....why do we think so many people don't like work? 

 

great stuff.

Well technically he finished dead last in the AL central, but I agree there's no reason a good GM can't be a good person.    Blind loyalty doesn't make one a good person though.    Nor does failing to adapt to a changing environment.    My lasting thoughts on him will always be good person, poor GM.