Mike Matheny

[AlwaysinModeration]

I think the Twins should hire Mike Matheny. He seems like he is an excellent coach. Last year I thought the team would get to .500 and as a result, the Front Office would stick with Molitor. Well, both happened and he went and won Manager of the Year. That makes it harder to let Molitor go, to be sure. And if, as I expect, the team improves down the stretch and gets near .500, it may again prove difficult to fire Molitor. However, I think Falvey and Levine have to make the tough call and do it. Look at the Cubs. Theo Epstein fired their new manager (Renteria) when Joe Maddon became available, not afraid of going against protocol when he saw an opportunity, and it paid off in spades.

 

I think Matheny represents the same sort of opportunity. I think Matheny is going to be a hot commodity (he’s from Ohio, and I bet the Reds go after him), so honestly I think they should go after him sooner rather than later.

 

Between his retirement and before getting the Cardinals manager position, he coached his son’s Little League team. Here is his fantastic letter to the parents of that team:

 

https://www.mikematheny.com/sites/default/files/docs/MathenyManifesto.pdf

 

Read that, look up his track record as the Cardinal manager...and tell me you don’t think the Twins would be better served with Matheny over Molitor?

[alarp33]

Matheny was a horrible manager. Like very very bad

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Thanks for sharing. I hope those little leaguers took advantage of having a very good coach.

 

As for the Twins, I’m not sure. Matheny was fired mid-season because the Cardinals clubhouse got out of control.

 

It got so bad they fired him mid season with a mid-season record over 500 and career winning record over 7 seasons.

 

Nope

[scottz]

Disagree.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Hmmm. Maybe I’m dismissing the clubhouse management stuff too much or am overemphasizing in my mind his Cardinals dispatching the Nats in the playoffs multiple times. But 6.5 seasons, over 500 every season, one 100-win team, 4 playoffs appearances, one World Series appearance. And this guy is horrible as a manager? What would the Cards have done with a good manager?

[alarp33]

 

 What would the Cards have done with a good manager?

 

I think that's the question lots of Cardinals fans have been asking. You can google around and find articles on his tenure in STL.... it was not good. He was a horrible in game manager, alienated players in the clubhouse, didn't mesh with / play younger prospects players. FWIW the Cardinals hadn't fired a manager in over 20 years and they canned him with an over .500 record, that should tell you all you need to know

[Vanimal46]

I think that's the question lots of Cardinals fans have been asking. You can google around and find articles on his tenure in STL.... it was not good. He was a horrible in game manager, alienated players in the clubhouse, didn't mesh with / play younger prospects players. FWIW the Cardinals hadn't fired a manager in over 20 years and they canned him with an over .500 record, that should tell you all you need to know

He allowed Bud Norris to bully Jordan Hicks in the clubhouse without repercussion, because he's a wiley veteran.

 

Hardest of passes.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Hmmm. Maybe I’m dismissing the clubhouse management stuff too much or am overemphasizing in my mind his Cardinals dispatching the Nats in the playoffs multiple times.

The Nats have had some managerial/clubhouse issues of their own...

[Number3]

Twins will never fire Molitor because the Twins don't fire managers because they only hire a manager who promises not to make waves and simply does as told. Exception may have been last year when Molitor might have been fired for winning but then he got MOY so firing him was out the window. He won't make the same mistake this year and if they beat Cleveland again tonight he will probably have a team meeting to review the "plan".

[Twodogs]

How about Girardi? He took the Yankees to the final 4 last year. If he has what it takes to be a manager it might work out for both parties. The Twins over the years can't ever seem to be able to beat the Yankees, so if Girardi was to come in and beat the Yankees it would vindicate both the Twins and Giradi??

[gunnarthor]

I think Molitor is about the worst manager for this team so I think even Matheny would be a step up but not a very big step. I'd pass on him. Girardi would be a nice fit as would John Farrell. Both expect big payrolls but maybe the deep talent the Twins have would entice them. Most of our young guys loved playing for Dougie Baseball so maybe we go that route if for no other reason that to make Maija at TwinkieTown happy. Ideally, I think this team could use a Latino manager. 

[nicksaviking]

I kind of thought he was a no-nonsense old school type but I could be wrong.

 

I definitely don't want that type. I think this club needs someone who's innovative and who relates to the younger generation.

[Mike Sixel]

Hard pass. Everything I read about him is bad.

[Twinsbar107]

No thanks, to a younger Molitor.

[RatherBeGolfing]

PST