Managing the Houston Astros: Brad Mills' and his ability to define himself
by HighLeveragePerformer on Oct 28, 2009 6:15 AM CDT
in News
23 comments
Approach the signing of our new manager from that perspective and you can't help but be optimistic about the winter and the regular season ahead. So Manny Acta turned us down, because our owner wouldn't throw an extra year on a contract. Can anyone honestly say that they didn't think Drayton McLane would mess up the negotiations process? How that man is a success in the business world is a mystery to me. Bottom line, TCB's main man got away and there's a new man to denigrate/laud depending upon the outcome of a particular game. It's the nature of the beast, and Brad Mills is going to learn that from the get go.
After thinking more and more about what to write I sort of encountered a mental brick wall. DQ and David have ably analyzed Mr. Mills' career to this point, and I don't think I could have done a better job. At this point let's just be thankful that the process is over, Mr. Mills is in tow, and the Astros coaching staff is about to come together.
The bench coach is to baseball as the asst. head coach/coordinator is to football. When an NFL team hires an offensive/defensive coordinator to be a head coach, at least a fan knows what his track record is. How does he handle a particular defense? What are his tendencies? Game management, interaction with his players and preparedness would all be fairly evident from his previous job held. In baseball, we don't have that luxury. Terry Francona, as much as we maybe don't want to hear this, is not Brad Mills. The man Drayton hired as our manager is going to develop his identity as an Astro. Michael Bourn, Lance Berkman, Sammy Gervacio and Bud Norris are going to help define Mills' status as a major league manager. Cecil Cooper wasn't able to do enough with what he was given. Hopefully Brad Mills can.
The Astros' roster is not the Red Sox' roster (in case you hadn't noticed). Kevin Youkilis is not walking through that door, but neither are the higher than high expectations that accompany the Sox year in and year out. Nope, the buzz surrounding Mills' maiden club is low and probably will stay that way until Opening Day. Unless Drayton's stock portfolio improves and a free pitcher lands on his door step, Mr. Mills is going to have a roster that lacks talent and is in need of a major dose of motivation. Some players are going to improve upon their 2009 seasons. Others will go the opposite direction. How Mills deals with all of them will determine whether or not he will be viewed as an improvement upon his predecessors.
Houston Astros manager, Brad Mills. Looks good to me. Now it's time for our new head man to define himself and his team, so that it's the Astros that look good.
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My favorite part about Brad Mills
is that he has a startling similar physical appearance to John Malkovich.
by astrosfanforever on Oct 28, 2009 6:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking more of
James “The Ragin Cajun” Carville
by timmy_ on Oct 28, 2009 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was just about to comment on that.
In that photo, at least.
Your friendly neighborhood Dream Shake mod.
by Only_A_Lad on Oct 28, 2009 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'll have to have a contest
The Crawfishboxes
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.
by DyingQuail on Oct 28, 2009 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you shaved Drayton's head
they’d look like father and son
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 28, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Technically, we still don't know about the payroll
Justice says Drayton was evasive about it when asked.
I guess there’s always a tiny shred of hope.
by OremLK on Oct 28, 2009 7:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
As much as we blast Justice (not without cause), I have to give credit to Justice for asking McLane the “tough questions.” And he is right, it’s a lot easier to kiss ass, as he says, when you ask qustions, particularly when you know you won’t get any answers to tough questions anyway.
And maybe there is a glimmer of hope on the payroll questions. After the first evasive answer about the payroll, Justice follows up by pointing out that McLane told him only 2 weeks ago athat the payroll will be lower. McLane follows with a “that was then” type answer. McLane says that he will have to evaluate season ticket sales and the state of economy when the team comes up with a budget later this year. That seems less definitive than past statements.
by clack on Oct 28, 2009 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're screwed
Until Drayton sells.
The Crawfishboxes
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.
by DyingQuail on Oct 28, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow. Maybe Wade has been reading TCB...
Ed Wade is attempting to describe some game strategy changes he expects from the manager:
"I want him to take advantage of the personnel we have," Wade said. "You can’t hit-and-run if you don’t have guys who can hit-and-run. You can’t have four guys steal 30 bases if you only have two guys with speed. We’re going to have to give him the pieces to be successful.
"As far as game style, I think it will be dictated by the personnel he has. I’m sure he will be inventive at times. I don’t see us as a team that will give up a lot of outs bunting guys over early in games. I think he will be aggressive when it comes to Michael Bourn’s speed and (Kaz) Matsui, but he will have to tell some of our guys to slow down and hold and adapt to the style of play that Millsy dictates."
by clack on Oct 28, 2009 8:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I knew we could make a difference
…
The Crawfishboxes
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.
by DyingQuail on Oct 28, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like the name "Millsy"
and I’ve read it too many time the past few days.
To paraphrase:
You can call him Brad
You can call him Mills
You can call him Coach
You can call him Bradley
You can call him Brad Mills
but you dasn’t have to call him Millsy
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 28, 2009 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't agree more
The Crawfishboxes
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.
by DyingQuail on Oct 28, 2009 9:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Red Sox fans say that the GM, Epstein, and Francona always referred to him as “Millsy.” Like it or not, I think that is the nickname he will go by.
by clack on Oct 28, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Millsy and Milsy?
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 28, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No bunting early (or more limited at least)
I like that
now if we can add no bunting in extra innings (with some rare exceptions)
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 28, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that if
Mills can be surrounded by talent over the next 3 years that is the only way you can guage his performance.
I think the more daunting task for the Astros is to have its GM and scouting director build a team that will help Mills win.
If Mills can manage the talent the way that Ned Yost did with the early 2000’s Brewers, he will be a success. Now the organization just has to provide him with young talent to do that.
by backtocali on Oct 28, 2009 8:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you can fairly easily gauge his performance, even without any large amount of talent on the Astros.
Does he do stupid shit? If no, then he is a good manager. If yes, then he is one of legions of bad managers.
Your friendly neighborhood Dream Shake mod.
by Only_A_Lad on Oct 28, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's a nice little story to make you feel good about Mills.
And I’ll credit ferret at SpikesnStars since he made a good find on this article.
Mills’ role in the Red Sox winning Game 2 of the 2007 World Series is described here.
With 2 outs in the 8th, Papelbon is called on for a 4 out save. After Holliday gets a hit, Mills is aware of an advance scouting report which says Holliday’s steal attempts are almost always on the first pitch. Mills flashes a sign to Veritek, who gives a sign to Papelbon. Papelbon wheels and picks off Holliday. It’s the first time Papelbon has picked off a runner in his ML career, and Mills’ attention to detail is credited for the the out.
by clack on Oct 28, 2009 9:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting.
It will be nice to have a manager who really does his homework, which from everything I’ve hard, is Mills’ defining characteristic. Diligence is good.
by OremLK on Oct 29, 2009 8:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 2.9.2010 at 5:43 PM CST)
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
