Geoff Baker unloads on Jack Zduriencik. Buster Olney tweeted there was a rift between the Mariners front office and coaches, and Jeff explains why:
That is, when Wakamatsu decides to make an example of Figgins to enforce accountability on the team, the GM needs to support him.
Instead, we get a Figgins tirade that embarassed the entire team in front of thousands of fans and millions of television viewers. We get Figgins openly challenging a Wakamatsu decision, nearly sparking a dugout brawl, and nobody apologizes afterwards. Even Carlos Zambrano has apologized for his dugout tirade and believe me, the footage in the Cubs dugout was nowhere near as bad as what resulted from the Figgins outburst, with players leaping over benches and pulling jerseys over teammates’ heads.
Still, Zduriencik is keeping quiet about the whole thing. Figgins hasn’t apologized in public to anyone, either for openly questioning the manager, or, at the very least, for subjecting the organization and its dwindling fans to the dugout spectacle that resulted from his actions.
And again, Wakamatsu is left to twist in the wind, with fans getting the impression his days are numbered. And the rest of his staff, whose livelihoods likely depend on Wakamatsu remaining as manager, are left to wonder how much longer they will remain employed as well.
So, is anyone really surprised that Buster Olney hears there may be a “rift” between coaches and management? I’m not. I’m surprised somebody from one side hasn’t punched somebody else in the nose by now.
It’s one of the best rants I’ve read in a while, and from my perspective spot on.
I don’t really get this story– I mean, not the rant, but the actual story. The bad guy is clearly Figgins, and I don’t think he’s really getting the blame for his actions. It seems like people are washing their hands on Wakamatsu and Zduriencik and letting the Figgins story out of the news cycle.
I don’t think the GM should back every single manager action. Sure, they’re a team, but if he doesn’t agree with what happened, the last thing he should do is stand beside a clearly fucked up coaching team. I do believe he should hand out suspensions, though.
The Milton Bradley effect?
I agree that the Jack Z shouldn’t back every managerial decision from Wak but the Mariners need unity at this point. The season is a lost cause and now they are only causing problems for the future of the organization. Figgins needs to apologize not only for this lack of hustle and disrespect to Wak, but also for his incredibly terrible season. I like the way The M’s were going in the off-season but even when you think you make the right moves players that usually perform need to do so to be successful.