Ned Yost is now a former Brewers manager…the classic fall guy for a team that, since September rolled around, has been playing itself out of a spot in the playoffs.
Milwaukee management had seen enough after a four-game sweep in Philadelphia, which brought the Brewers’ September record to 3-11. Third base coach Dale Sveum becomes the interim manager, with Robin Yount rejoining the club as bench coach, while Yost ally Ted Simmons is reassigned within the organization.
The reality could be that Yost was the right guy to manage the Brewers as Milwaukee was making progress toward becoming a playoff-contending team, but the wrong guy to actually get them to the postseason. Or, there could be an alternate reality: owner Mark Attanasio is simply pushing the panic button, and will quickly find out that no one, not even a fiery guy like Lou Pineiella or a genius like Tony LaRussa would be able to snap the Brewers out of their recent funk. Trading for CC Sabathia paid instant dividends, and is still paying off….who knows what will happen in the wake of the Yost firing.
Right now, it’s in the hands of the players. Will a managerial firing get hitters to swing at better pitches? Will the bench presence of Brewers legend Robin Yount miraculously turn Dave Bush and Jeff Suppan into productive pitchers?
We’ll find out over the next twelve games. Personally, I think it’s a move that if it were going to be made, should have been made after the season. Baseball is one of those games that often, the harder you try to do something, the worse you perform.
-BOB BRADOVICH
Posted under Hometown Sports
This post was written by bbradovich on September 15, 2008
In the words of the talking turtle from the movie, “The Three Amigos!” right after they finish singing their rendition of Blue Shadows on the Trail, “Good night, Ned.” Obscure movie references aside, the dismissal of Yost was probably something that was going to happen eventually. It was only two weeks ago that I was giggling confidently (yes, it is possible to do so) at the prospect of taking the Wild Card and proceeding into playoffs without a problem.
And then September happened and I’m left crying inside. Today, hope prevailed in that I have no idea what this firing is going to do for the team. And that gives me hope…and a good (borderline really good) idea.
12 and 0. The Milwaukee Brewers, under the new management of Dale Sveum will go 12 and 0 and take the division from the Cubs. Screw the Wild Card! We don’t even want it. Am I most likely insane? Yes. Is my prediction possible? Also yes. The Brewers have the stuff to still turn this thing around. Not to mention the fact that the Cubs also have the stuff to collapse. They are, after all, the Cubs.
It is going to be ridiculously hard for the Crew to pull this off. Well, I think it’s mighty time that the Milwaukee Brewers pull off what is hard. 12-0.
Desperate times call for desperate mustaches. Go Brewers.
Perhaps now, it’s obvious why we here at the station have long referred to Tim Schultz as, “Tim Schultz, Demented Brewers Fan.” He just wandered past the sports area repeating his new mantra, “11-and-1.” Tomorrow, he’ll probably be saying, “10-and-2.” Regardless, the fact of the matter is he’s talking to himself.
Usually, I’m optimistic about these things, but unless there’s a Really Turn Back The Clock Night, and Robin Yount Version 1982 is in the Brewers lineup, I see the same problems: not enough contact hitters, not enough gap power, not enough pitching (starting rotation and bullpen), too many defensive liabilities.
Maybe Bud Selig’s new idea will be a contraction of the season. Draw the regular season line at the end of July, 2007 and the Brewers are in the playoffs….wrap it up at the end of August 2008, and we’re celebrating a postseason berth.
It’s been a summer more entertaining than most (as it pertains to the Brewers)…but over the course of 162 games, that team is just not quite built to get to the playoffs.
Which is too bad…I can imagine Tim Schultz borrowing a line from the University of North Dakota hockey team: “Ride the ‘Stache to the NL Playoffs!”
That would make a really cool t-shirt…especially with the retro Brewers logo.
I think it is a good move. The better move is bringing back the Legend…Robin Yount is the bench coach…and all they need to do is go around 8-4 and 9-3, which is doable.
Yost was a cancer and was letting way to much go, especially down the stretch. Especially when nobody on your team is producing at key moments.
On that note go Brew Crew! and TV18 still rules!