Trent Jewett Not a "Yes Man"

by Charlie Wilmoth on Sep 10, 2008 6:20 PM EDT

Here are some interesting comments on the end of Trent Jewett's tenure as the manager of the Indianapolis Indians.

What will be most telling, probably, will be who the Pirates hire to replace Jewett. If it is another 23-year-old recently retired pitcher, such as Brian Tracy getting the pitching coach's job in State College despite having no experience, you will have your answer about the "yes men." If it is a qualified -- and strong and respected -- manager fit to run a Class AAA franchise, then you will have a different answer.

A couple of quick points:

There's a big difference between hiring a 24-year-old (and Tracy is 24, not 23) to be a pitching coach in short-season ball and hiring a 24-year-old to manage in AAA, and it's bizarre to compare the two. Coaches in short-season leagues are often very young--not usually as young as Tracy, but many are in their 20s. Managers at AAA are not. I just glanced through all the Class AAA rosters and only found two managers under 40; one of those was 36 and the other will be 40 in two days. (So happy early birthday, Pat Listach.) Suggesting that the Pirates might hire a 23-year-old is, frankly, unfair, especially since the Spikes' actual manager, Brad Fischer, is absurdly overqualified for the job and was also hired by the Pirates' new braintrust.

Also, I suppose reasonable people can disagree about what a "yes man" is, but to me the term has negative connotations and essentially means being a suck-up. Think of Ed Helms' "Andy Bernard" character on The Office, for example. Some choice suck-up moments are here:

There's no particular reason to characterize someone who merely does what the Pirates ask as a "yes man." In fact, a willingness to follow directions from one's bosses is generally regarded as a good attribute for an employee.

Beyond what's been reported, I don't know the real reasons for Jewett's departure, but the Post-Gazette says that a possible part of the problem is that he didn't want to follow directions from the Pirates' front office about players to use. That, it seems to me, is something the front office, who acquires the players, should have some say in.

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Maybe Fischer ends up the AAA manager?

by ElliottBayBucco on Sep 10, 2008 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

Hmm. Yeah, he’s certainly qualified.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Sep 10, 2008 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Having him in the system already they could easily move him up the ladder.

by ElliottBayBucco on Sep 10, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

In your own words, Charlie:

So, to summarize, Fischer has eleven years of minor-league managerial experience, two years working in player development, and over ten years of coaching at the big league level for one of the smartest and most successful organizations in baseball. He’s also only 51 (he started managing while he was still in his early 20s), so he’s way too young to be past his prime as a coach. To put this hiring into perspective, Fischer’s resume is probably more impressive than John Russell’s. And the Pirates just hired him to manage one of their rookie-league teams. I’m confused – this hiring looks so ridiculously good, it’s suspicious.

Suspicious, indeed!

Also, Fischer started coaching in his early 20’s too! Maybe DK needs to see this so he can get off the ‘hiring 20 year olds is probably bad’ bandwagon.

by ElliottBayBucco on Sep 10, 2008 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

Yes men

In baseball that usually involves a particular style of teaching being applied to all players and those in the minors believe in the system or adapt to it. Trent probably thinks that teaching all the same approach can undermine their individual talents. The case of all pitchers not throwing 2 seamers is a good example. Both approaches can work but usually the same method being applied to all is seen more in college and high school.

by buccoben on Sep 10, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

Why Not?

Indy Indians ticket holders may feel differently, but I have no problem with the big league club having significant input over what happens in Class AAA. Even the disaster in State College might not be all bad for the Pirates – it means some young players got experience “playing up” instead of the Spikes fielding a bunch of guys who might dominate at that level and win more games but have no real future.
I’m still not sure Huntington & Co. have everything right, but I am sure for the past decade everything was wrong, so change has to be a positive step.

by TPenaRules on Sep 10, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

Yes man = those who wouldn't tell the emperor he had no clothes

Charlie, I think you’re right, generally, about yes men and Jewett. Whoever manages the AAA club can play whoever NH tells him to, and bat them where ever, and he won’t necessarily be a yes man. But if NH thinks a certain player is very good, and the AAA manager knows he has many shortcomings but fails to give honest feedback, then he’s a yes man.

by azibuck on Sep 10, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions