When Manny Acta was hired as the skipper of the Cleveland Indians, both GM Chris Antonetti and team president Mark Shapiro were very impressed with the way he knew a lot about the organization. He did his homework.
Here is how we imagine the interview wrapped up:
Shapiro: Congratulations, Manny. You are the next manager of the Cleveland Indians.
Antonetti: We do have some things we want to discuss as to how we run things here before we make the announcement.
Acta: What do you mean?
Antonetti: Well, things like we have total control over the roster. You can make out the lineup, but we get total control over who is on the 25 man squad.
Acta: You mean to open the season? No problem. I get to make suggestions right?
Shapiro (laughing): Oh yeah, we’ll listen to you, but no, we get to have total control of the roster for the entire season.
Antonetti: And we have to talk about how we speak to the public. You have to use words like “process” and phrases like “in our situation”.
Shapiro (laughing again): You can’t use “grinding” anymore. Wedgie used it so much that people are sick of it. They make fun of him now.
Acta: OK?
Antonetti: We like to use platoons too. We think instead of getting one good player, you can use two limited ones and get the same production. Can you like with that?
Acta (thinking about not getting the job): Sure, no problem.
Shapiro: That’s good. You know, we had Showalter and Farrell in the organization and they kept telling us different things we did wrong. We told them we had to be in charge for the process to work.
Antonetti: Good one, Mark! You used “process”.
Acta: Well, what if a guy who makes the opening day roster starts out struggling, how long do we stay with him?
Antonetti: We are very patient. I’d say we have to wait until around the All-Star game before we can be sure the guy can’t hit. We don’t want to give away someone who can play.
Shapiro: Like Phillips. I told Wedge that was going to bite us in the rear end. We won’t make that mistake again. By the way, Manny, you said “what if”. I like that. I think we can do something with that phrase.
Acta: Ok, I think. Does the ownership plan to invest if we are contending?
Antonetti: We tell the public that, but we’re in this to make money. If we win great, but the owners want to recoup the cash they put up when they bought it. Old man Jacobs really snookered them.
Shapiro (sternly): Chris! We’re not supposed to talk about that. We’ll spend a little, but when a player starts creeping up on free agency, we have to think about moving them. Remember, I’m good at that, I stole three good players for Colon. Damn, we should’ve kept Phillips!
Acta: I think I’m fine with that. I’m not a real fiery guy, is that ok with you?
Antonetti: No problem. Hey Mark, remember when Manuel got thrown out of a couple of games early in his first year? We had to talk to him about calming down. It doesn’t present the right corporate image.
Acta: Corporate? This is baseball, I’m a little confused.
Shapiro: This is the new age, Manny. Heck, if we could make Polo shirts part of our uniform, we would. You’ll see in a few years, every team will operate like we do. We’re on the cutting edge.
Acta: I hope so. I’m your man, let’s do this.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 