McLaren spurns Cubs, returns to Seattle

[JeffH]

The easiest part for John McLaren was telling the Mariners that he would accept an offer to become their bench coach in 2007. The toughest part, the one that got the 55-year-old McLaren so choked up with emotions, was telling newly appointed Cubs manager and longtime friend Lou Piniella that he wouldn't be joining him in Chicago.

[UK1679666180]

Well, there's a kick in the groin to me.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hmmm. That is shocking!

[UK1679666180]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/289399_mari20.html

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Any guesses on who Lou will tab as his bench coach now?

[JeffH]

Elia!

[Electron Blue]

The easiest part for John McLaren was telling the Mariners that he would accept an offer to become their bench coach in 2007. The toughest part, the one that got the 55-year-old McLaren so choked up with emotions, was telling newly appointed Cubs manager and longtime friend Lou Piniella that he wouldn't be joining him in Chicago.

 

Is it just me, or does that statement read illogically?

 

Anyways, who's gonna be the next Dick Pole now?

[goonys evil twin]

Opens a door for Girardi, if he's interested.

 

Doubtful though. My guess is we'll get a really old guy.

[UBlink]

Opens a door for Girardi, if he's interested.

 

Doubtful though. My guess is we'll get a really old guy.

 

Well, some of us old guys know a thing or two about statistics - heck, I can even work one of these newfangled computer thingys.

 

Old isn't necessarily bad.

[goonys evil twin]

Opens a door for Girardi, if he's interested.

 

Doubtful though. My guess is we'll get a really old guy.

 

Well, some of us old guys know a thing or two about statistics - heck, I can even work one of these newfangled computer thingys.

 

Old isn't necessarily bad.

 

I didn't necessarily say it was.

 

I was just thinking since options look to be drying up, and Lou is an old-timer, I'm guessing we get somebody who has worked with him in the past, possibly Elia.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Wow, so the best part of Lou Piniella doesn't even make it.

 

:x

[Balsa]

Ouch.

[UBlink]

Opens a door for Girardi, if he's interested.

 

Doubtful though. My guess is we'll get a really old guy.

 

Well, some of us old guys know a thing or two about statistics - heck, I can even work one of these newfangled computer thingys.

 

Old isn't necessarily bad.

 

I didn't necessarily say it was.

 

I was just thinking since options look to be drying up, and Lou is an old-timer, I'm guessing we get somebody who has worked with him in the past, possibly Elia.

 

I know you didn't make the direct inference, but you know, sometimes those old folks get a touch sensitive. :hmph:

[abuck1220]

My guess is we'll get a really old guy.

 

that should be the cubs' slogan.

[CubFanPhilly]

OK, I've been a baseball fan for thirty years, you'd think I know what a bench coach does? Nope.

 

Here's what I've pieced together watching Baseball and Baseball movies:

 

1) he's the guy who nudges the manager after he's called to get the bullpen up during a no-no and says: "Uh Skip...., you know what's going on, right?"

 

2) he sits with his hands in his pockets, nods in agreement, and spits on the floor as the manager blows a head gasket.

 

3) he's the designated "slamee" when somebody's just gotta go after Pedro in a playoff game and you can't afford to lose anyone who actually does something.

 

4) he gives the Rookie the lay of the land - explains how things work around here and why the manager is such a miserable SOB.

 

 

btw- if anyone has a serious answer, I'm interested.

 

CFP

[ConstableRabbit]

OK, I've been a baseball fan for thirty years, you'd think I know what a bench coach does? Nope.

 

Here's what I've pieced together watching Baseball and Baseball movies:

 

1) he's the guy who nudges the manager after he's called to get the bullpen up during a no-no and says: "Uh Skip...., you know what's going on, right?"

 

2) he sits with his hands in his pockets, nods in agreement, and spits on the floor as the manager blows a head gasket.

 

3) he's the designated "slamee" when somebody's just gotta go after Pedro in a playoff game and you can't afford to lose anyone who actually does something.

 

4) he gives the Rookie the lay of the land - explains how things work around here and why the manager is such a miserable SOB.

 

 

btw- if anyone has a serious answer, I'm interested.

 

CFP

 

I tend to think that's pretty accurate.

 

I think they're responsible for defensive positioning, but that's all I know.

[SouthSideRyan]

OK, I've been a baseball fan for thirty years, you'd think I know what a bench coach does? Nope.

 

Here's what I've pieced together watching Baseball and Baseball movies:

 

1) he's the guy who nudges the manager after he's called to get the bullpen up during a no-no and says: "Uh Skip...., you know what's going on, right?"

 

2) he sits with his hands in his pockets, nods in agreement, and spits on the floor as the manager blows a head gasket.

 

3) he's the designated "slamee" when somebody's just gotta go after Pedro in a playoff game and you can't afford to lose anyone who actually does something.

 

4) he gives the Rookie the lay of the land - explains how things work around here and why the manager is such a miserable SOB.

 

 

btw- if anyone has a serious answer, I'm interested.

 

CFP

 

I tend to think that's pretty accurate.

 

I think they're responsible for defensive positioning, but that's all I know.

 

They can be in charge of defensive positioning, but I don't believe all are. I think Speier was this year, adn I believe Ron Washington was in Oakland.

 

My view on Bench coaches is that they're like an assistant manager.

[RichHillIsABeast]

OK, I've been a baseball fan for thirty years, you'd think I know what a bench coach does? Nope.

 

Here's what I've pieced together watching Baseball and Baseball movies:

 

1) he's the guy who nudges the manager after he's called to get the bullpen up during a no-no and says: "Uh Skip...., you know what's going on, right?"

 

2) he sits with his hands in his pockets, nods in agreement, and spits on the floor as the manager blows a head gasket.

 

3) he's the designated "slamee" when somebody's just gotta go after Pedro in a playoff game and you can't afford to lose anyone who actually does something.

 

4) he gives the Rookie the lay of the land - explains how things work around here and why the manager is such a miserable SOB.

 

 

btw- if anyone has a serious answer, I'm interested.

 

CFP

 

It depends on the manager. Usually they are the guy taking over if the manager is ejected. They do a lot of the running around so the manager doesn't have to. BP, drills, etc. Some of them help out with infield positioning, running game, pitch counts, time to the plate, or just flat out watch for things to exploit. It helps to have another set of eyes watching the overall game (along with the manager). The pitching coach, hitting coache, etc. are really focused on their portion of the game or are busy instructing guys during the game.

 

^^ All that obviously changes depending on the coaches' backgrounds.

[Shawon12]

OK, I've been a baseball fan for thirty years, you'd think I know what a bench coach does? Nope.

 

Here's what I've pieced together watching Baseball and Baseball movies:

 

1) he's the guy who nudges the manager after he's called to get the bullpen up during a no-no and says: "Uh Skip...., you know what's going on, right?"

 

2) he sits with his hands in his pockets, nods in agreement, and spits on the floor as the manager blows a head gasket.

 

3) he's the designated "slamee" when somebody's just gotta go after Pedro in a playoff game and you can't afford to lose anyone who actually does something.

 

4) he gives the Rookie the lay of the land - explains how things work around here and why the manager is such a miserable SOB.

 

 

btw- if anyone has a serious answer, I'm interested.

 

CFP

 

I tend to think that's pretty accurate.

 

I think they're responsible for defensive positioning, but that's all I know.

 

They can be in charge of defensive positioning, but I don't believe all are. I think Speier was this year, adn I believe Ron Washington was in Oakland.

 

My view on Bench coaches is that they're like an assistant manager.

 

Assistant TO the manager

[NCCubFan]

It seems to me like the bench coach is similar to assistant head coach in the NFL, while the hitting coach is the offensive coordinator and the pitching coach the defensive coordinator. That may not be real accurate, but that's what it seems like to me.

[KurtEvans]

Here's a crazy idea...

 

Before Joe Girardi became a manager, he spent a year as Joe Torre's bench coach. The Cubs have a guy who wants to become a manager. He could get a job managing a minor league team in the system, but maybe he'd make an interesting pupil under Piniella instead.

 

Anyone for Sandberg getting a chance?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Just say no to Ryno.

[treebird]

ryno can show up and hit groundballs in spring training, but beyond that he should probably not come near our players

[Monco]

I hope its not Speier.

[KurtEvans]

ryno can show up and hit groundballs in spring training, but beyond that he should probably not come near our players

 

Why?