Florida Manager Gets Job Security

On the surfice giving Freddi Gonzalez a two year extention through 2011 may not seem like a big deal. But it is.

This team does not need to have the possibility of having three managers in five years hanging over them all season. I commend the team for keeping him on board.

During a brutally hot game in August 2006 (which I attended) then manager Joe Girardi told owner Jeffery Loria (who was yelling at the home plate umpire after a terrible call that essentially lost us the game) to “shut the F#@k up”. Loria was going to fire him on the spot. They even set up the press conference room to do just that, but cooler heads prevailed.

Marlins owner Jeffery Loria

This opened the door for Fredi to take over in October. About two hours after Girardi was canned.

The positives for Fredi are numerous. First he is bi-lingual. He is also a Miami native and 2008 Sporting News Manager of the Year. He was the first coach ever for the Marlins organization – he managed the 1992 Erie Sailors, which was the first team of Marlins prospects before they fielded their first major league team in 1993. He has been compared by many to Bobby Cox and is well liked by his players.

“We were surprised. Everybody started clapping and cheering,” outfielder Cody Ross said, describing the roar of applause that opened the Marlins’ first full-squad workout. “It’s most deserving, the way he has kind of turned it around.”

“It’s a smart move by the front office,” All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla said. “I think it’s very important to have the same guy around. He starts to get a feel for the ballclub. It all starts with him. He’s our leader.”

“I think it’s awesome,” closer Matt Lindstrom said. “It’s really important to us, as well, that the leadership role is secure. There is no question mark for any of us. When we come to Spring Training the next three years, we’ll know who the manager is going to be.

But he also has his detractors. He has been called a “puppet” and “yes man” of  Loria and I heard a lot of people on radio call-in shows last year question his managing decisions. Whatever.

If he doesn’t cuss out the owner he will be the longest tenured manager in Marlins history.

Six days until the first spring game vs the Cardinals!

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