Hey Bob! You’re fired!

Posted on June 9, 2011

Home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski argues with Oakland Athletics manager Bob Geren during the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 4, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

I am surprised it took this long. No I’m not. Oakland A’s manager Bob Geren was FINALLY let go by best friend, general manager and part owner Billy Beane this morning as the A’s are in the midst of a 9 game losing streak heading into tonight’s game against Ron Vesely’s White Sox in Chicago. Geren, 47, had a 334-376 record in four-plus seasons with Oakland, including a 27-36 mark this season that has the A’s sitting in last place, eight games out in the American League West. Former Giants catcher and big league skipper Bob Melvin has been named as the interim manager for the remainder of the season.

Under Geren’s leadership the A’s have been dull, boring, and lifeless. Did I say boring? Beane’s magical formula that led to Brad Pitt playing him in the upcoming release of the movie “Money Ball” has run it’s course, and the once mighty A’s have been circling the drain for several years now, both on and off the field. The team has a losing record, the ballpark sucks, the owner says stupid things every time he opens his mouth, and they lead the league in signing washed-up free agents because no one in their prime ever wants to play in Oakland. Beane has never believed in a strong manager, and by bringing in Melvin it looks like he still doesn’t, but we shall see.

It’s not Geren’s fault the A’s hung their desperate hopes on the aging and broken down Hideki Matsui. It is not Geren’s fault that half the starting rotation is on the disabled list and likely gone for the rest of the 2011 season. It’s not Geren’s fault that he managed the club a few years longer than he should have. But- he had to go, and now is as good a time as any. Time will tell how things shake out in the future with the green and gold. One thing is for sure. They will be playing at the ridiculously named O.co Coliseum for many years to come. And that is not Bob Geren’s fault either.