FanPost

NOLAN RYAN

Just checking the temperature on this....Do most people want Nolan Ryan back?


I hated it when he went to the rangers (lower case intended for spite) because I respect Nolan and I think he is a good baseball mind. But the franchise is in a totally different place now. I don't want him back. Not unless it's in a strictly player development role with limited authority.

I wasn't too worried about him coming back since I didn't think he would want to take the spot light off of Reid Ryan and because Crane has given Luhnow as much support and free reign as just about any owner in MLB history. But the comments from Crane & my observation that Nolan seemingly doesn't want to retire (or take a reduced role) has started me thinking. Then I read this Maury Brown article.

Nolan is an old school baseball guy. Being heavy on scouting is in no way a bad thing. Obviously scouting is of critical importance. But Luhnow is not a pure numbers guy. He's not even some mythical perfect blend of two philosphies. I'm not trying to have that arguement with anyone. In my view Luhnow is all about elmininating ambiguity. Eliminating ambiguity in any decision by whatever means available. To do that, I think you need one plan with one guy in absolute authority.

The hires he's made and the systems/processes he's put in place fit to a clear cut image of his plan. Even if we can't see exactly the course he's set the ship on, there is no doubt it's on a course. Everyone in the organization has bought in; there is no desention. Even if you think the path the Astros are on could end in failure I think they have to see it through now. This level of commitment to an overhaul has never been attempted. Adding Nolan in now is too many cooks in the kitchen.