Macha Hire a Home Run

Brewers GM Doug Melvin wanted to hire Ken Macha six years ago. They say good things come to those who wait, and I think that might be happening here in Milwaukee.

The former Oakland Athletics Manager was introduced this afternoon as the Brewers new skipper, replacing Ned Yost (and Dale Sveum). Macha beat out former Mets manager Willie Randolph and Cubs broadcatser Bob Brenly, who owns a World Series ring from the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Brewers hired the right guy. Macha doesn't have the baggage that Randolph does. He didn't preside over a collapse like Randolph did in 2007 with the Mets. His teams played for him, unlike the Mets for Randolph for the sixty-nine games he lasted this past season.

He also didn't watch his team crumble before him like Brenly did a few years ago with Arizona. He hasn't managed in four years, and has spent enough time in the broadcast booth to where I think he's more comfortable there anyway (why leave a cushy gig where you are never second guessed?). Besides, Brenly always looked to me like the kind of guy who was after the BBD (Bigger Better Deal).

Is Macha the perfect hire? No. He did have a somewhat combative relationship with Oakland's Billy Beane, but then again, who doesn't? Beane thinks he invented the game, and his ego got big after the book 'Moneyball' came out.

Has Macha always gotten along with his players? Not necessarily. He told a story during his news conference today about former A's outfielder Jay Payton storming into his office, wanting to know why he wasn't playing. Macha pointed out his shabby On Base Percentage and told Payton to pick his game up and he'd get playing time. Sure enough, Payton hit .300 that year.

That tells me he's going to hold guys accountable. So, if Rickie Weeks isn't hitting, he won't play. The same goes for Billy Hall. If Jeff Suppan is struggling, he'll be pulled from the rotation. That wasn't always the case under Ned Yost (otherwise known as Mr. Patient).

He's holding himself accountable as well. He took a two year deal from the Brewers, which has raised some eyebrows around Milwaukee. Much like Mike McCarthy with the Packers (who took a three year deal when he was hired in 2006, he is confident in his abilities, and looks at his new club as if it's a team that's ready to win right now. And, if he doesn't get the job done, we move on to the next guy.

You have to like someone like that. You have to like the hiring of Ken Macha by the Brewers.