I've been calling for Bob Geren to be axed for more than 2 seasons.
It's amazing that he has lasted longer than a Presidential term, taking a team that was a regular playoff participant and seeing them turn into a sub .500 non entity.
It's not ALL his fault but it clearly wasn't working.
Bob Melvin is the new manager. During Geren's first season (2007), Melvin took an unlikely and seemingly overmatched Diamondbacks team and led them to a 90 win season and homefield advantage in the NLCS.
They got to within 4 games of the World Series with Eric Byrnes as their top offensive threat and Livan Hernandez as their #3 starter.
In that time the D'Backs have been dismantled and rebuilt with 2 other managers.
And Geren stayed put in Oakland... until now.
The A's could use a little overachieving.
Or who knows?
Maybe Geren should have gotten ANOTHER 4 1/3 seasons!
While I don't think Melvin should be the guy for next season (unless he really surprises me), the change is welcome. I also like that Melvin made a significant change to the lineup in his first game. Maybe Melvin can give the players some defined roles unlike Geren.
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