Your Milwaukee Brewers 2009 Coaches, Part One
So as you may have noticed in the Fanshot immediately below this entry, the Brewers hired Willie Randolph as bench coach today. With that and the hiring of Billy Castro as pitching coach, bullpen coach is the only coaching vacancy left for the Brewers. This seems like as good a time as any to ask, "Who are these guys?" I'll cover the big three today, and the others later.
Ken Macha, manager:
As a player: Played parts of six seasons, primarily as a third baseman, for the Pirates, Expos and Blue Jays between 1974 and 1981. Spent four seasons in Japan playing for the Chunichi Dragons. Never accumulated more than 107 ABs in a major league season.
As a coach: After retiring, Macha spent six seasons as a coach with the Expos, although his Wikipedia page doesn't say what he did. (see update) He coached the bullpen and third base for the Angels, and from 1999-2003 he served as the bench coach for the A's.
UPDATE: TheJay found this old bio, which clarifies some of Macha's coaching background:
Thanks Jay!
As a manager, minor leagues:
Trenton Thunder (AA), 1995-1996: 159-126
Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA), 1997-1998: 158-124
As a manager, major leagues:
Oakland A's, 2003-2006: 368-280, 2 division titles
Over the past two seasons, Macha has served as an analyst for NESN in Boston. Here are some stories of note from a Ken Macha Google search:
FireMacha.Blogspot.com
An ESPN article with speculation on reasons for Macha's departure in Oakland
A column from the Oakland Tribune on his departure.
Willie Randolph, Bench Coach:
As a player: Randolph played 18 major league seasons, 13 with the Yankees and one each for the Pirates, Dodgers, A's, Brewers and Mets. A .276/.373/.351 career hitter, Randolph was a six time All-Star, and started the All Star Game at second base four times. He made six postseason appearances, five for the Yankees.
As a coach: Randolph served as third base and bench coach for the Yankees for 11 seasons from 1994 to 2003.
As a manager, minor leagues: No experience
As a manager, major leagues:
NY Mets, 2005-2008, 302-253
Randolph was hired to manage the Mets despite never having managed at any level. As a bench coach, though, he brings about as much experience as you can ask for, having served for over a decade and won four World Series in that role.
From the early results in a Google search for Willie Randolph:
Randolph was "stunned" by his firing in New York.
He complained about fan negativity at Shea in May.
He later apologized for those comments.
The New York Observer criticized his media strategy.
Dale Sveum, hitting coach:
As a player: Sveum played 12 major league seasons as a Brewer, Phillie, White Sox, A, Mariner, Pirate and Yankee. Sveum was only a full-time player for two of those seasons and finished his career with a .236/.298/.378 line.
As a coach: Sveum coached third base for the Red Sox in 2004 and 2005, served as bench coach for the Brewers in 2006 and 2007, and coached third base for most of 2008.
As a manager, minor leagues:
Altoona Curve (AA), 2001-2003: 214-210
Sveum was named the top managerial prospect in the Eastern League in 2003.
As a manager, major leagues:
Milwaukee Brewers, 2008: 7-5, one playoff appearance
Sveum has worn a fair number of hats since retiring as a player in 1999, but this is his first shot as a hitting coach. His career .298 OBP leads me to wonder if he'll be able to preach patience to some of the Brewers' more strikeout prone hitters.
There's not much out there in the google search that we haven't discussed recently:
Several Brewers were outspoken about wanting Sveum back as manager in 2009, including Craig Counsell, Jason Kendall and former teammate Robin Yount.
Walkoff Walk on Sveum's reaction to not being hired as manager.
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29 comments
Comments
Old Macha bio on the A's site
Macha’s coaching career began in the Major Leagues with Montreal in 1986 when he was named to Buck Rodgers coaching staff. His responsibilities included pre-game workouts, defensive positioning and charting pitches. He was named third base coach in 1987 and remained in that role until taking a job as bullpen coach for the California Angels in 1992. He was moved to third base following the May 21 team bus crash and remained with the Angels through 1994.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Nov 8, 2008 2:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Updated to clarify.
Thanks for the find!
I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.
by KLSnow on Nov 8, 2008 3:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Found another one
Randolph’s bio from the Mets site. Apparently he was the third base coach for his first ten seasons with the Yankees and only became the bench coach in 2004 after Don Zimmer went away.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Nov 8, 2008 7:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Also fixed
Thank you sir
I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.
by KLSnow on Nov 9, 2008 10:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I like finally having managers/coaches who have held high positions on other teams.
Though I have a question. When one says a players was a member of the White Sox organization (or Red Sox), what is the correct way to say that? Do you say he was a White Sox? Or he was a White Sok?
Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9
by NoahJ on Nov 8, 2008 2:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
For the White Sox
I think it’s a Pale Hoser.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Nov 8, 2008 3:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've been calling them a White Sox
But I usually try to avoid it, because I could be wrong.
I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.
by KLSnow on Nov 8, 2008 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve heard that the singular of Red Sox is Red Sox.
by morineko on Nov 8, 2008 10:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Fire Macha Blog...
was not worth 10 minutes of my time… and my time isn’t valuable. Bitching for the point of bitching… I hope
by Saberilliterate on Nov 8, 2008 3:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i liked what i heard from macha today:
"Also, Willie’s got familiarity with the National League. I appreciate the fact that he has managerial experience. Another thing is how are we going to raise our on-base percentage? Willie was extremely patient at the plate (career on-base percentage of .373) and I’m sure he can help (hitting coach) Dale Sveum in preaching the word and letting players know the importance of having quality at-bats."
I untuck my shirt!
by Michael M on Nov 9, 2008 12:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
It is a "Lincoln's Cabinet" up in here
What? No Doris Kearns Goodwin fans?
by Bernie's Mustache Wax on Nov 9, 2008 3:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
i love doris kearns goodwin!!!
no seriously i do lol.
I untuck my shirt!
by Michael M on Nov 9, 2008 8:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I am a Doris fan!
This is truly a “Team of Rivals” developing here with the Crew. I highly recommend that book for any Lincoln buffs or history buffs out there!
by oconnobe on Nov 9, 2008 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Macha
it looks like he got canned for not winning short playoff series, which involve a lot of luck. I really like this hire.
September 15: Not a bad little Monday
by molitorfan on Nov 9, 2008 7:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think he was getting fired regardless that year
Billy Beane wants a puppet manager, as he says a lot in Moneyball. Macha didn’t want to be a puppet manager. Given that Melvin rarely interferes with the manager— I remember him saying he wasn’t even involved in the decision to start Suppan in game 4 of the Philly series— it should be a good match.
And neck size to baby eating ratio.
by Jordan M on Nov 9, 2008 9:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Melvin said he never even talked about starting Suppan. That’s great in a way, but wow. Maybe I’m naive about how GMs and managers interact, but I would have thought they would talk about it given the circumstances.
by ol Pete on Nov 9, 2008 9:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
from Newsday
“Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, Macha and Randolph have known each other for more than 30 years, as the trio grew up in the Pirates’ minor-league system in the early-to-mid 1970s.”
“When Randolph called Macha to congratulate him on getting the job, Macha called Randolph back the same day to offer him the bench coach position.”
by ol Pete on Nov 9, 2008 9:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rats, I should have called up Macha to congratulate him.
Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9
by NoahJ on Nov 9, 2008 9:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jesus Christ
A step above hiring someone from the 1982 team, I guess, but only a small one. Surely it’s possible that the best person for these positions isn’t someone we already know?
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Nov 9, 2008 9:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
On the plus side
It’s an object lesson of why you should always write a quick thank-you note after you interview for a job.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Nov 9, 2008 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Heretic!
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Nov 9, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
what are the odds randolph gets the job in seattle?
by Jamie in LA on Nov 9, 2008 12:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'd say low.
The Mariners organization has enough perception problems on their hands without hiring a retread manager who was run out of town a few months ago in baseball’s largest media market.
I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.
by KLSnow on Nov 9, 2008 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Second Base
I see Randolph played second base. Is there hope he’ll be Weeks’ “personal coach” and help him realize all that potential?
"My fellow nerds and I will retire to the nerdery with our calculators."
by craigholl on Nov 9, 2008 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
More on that tomorrow.
In the biz, we call that “a tease.”
I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.
by KLSnow on Nov 9, 2008 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, what am I then?
"If loving CC is wrong I do not want to be right"
"If lovin’ Braun is wrong, I want to be a repeat offender"
by kirbir on Nov 9, 2008 8:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
< hint >
see the JS blog
< /hint >
And neck size to baby eating ratio.
by Jordan M on Nov 9, 2008 8:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, no.
Before I read the JS blog, I wrote something about Weeks that I scheduled to post at noon tomorrow.
Tom H. stole a little of my thunder, but not all of it.
I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.
by KLSnow on Nov 9, 2008 10:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

























