Comments on: Yost Flexes Muscles, Dumps McClure

By: Austyn

Austyn — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:32:28 +0000

No weekend post like promised? Dang it, oh well haha.

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:11:45 +0000

Coaches are hired to be fired. I think McClure did well with the talent he had and he’ll probably find another job, but a little change might be a good thing, especially if the next coach is comfortable with long-toss.

By: daver852

daver852 — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:03:16 +0000

“He’ll have to take the blame if things get worse.” How could things get worse? Sign Kyle Davies to a lifetime contract?

By: Sean T.

Sean T. — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:12:48 +0000

Read the press release of Rick Knapp being named minor league pitching coordinator:

“Knapp replaces Mark Davis, the 1989 National League Cy Young Award winner who was the coordinator for one season. Davis will remain in the Royals’ organization as a pitching coach.”

hmm…Davis has had success in the past as a pitching coach, and seems to fit the requirements of Yost. Wonder if they were already thinking that when this move was made.

By: TexanRoyal

TexanRoyal — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:57:12 +0000

off topic but interesting, from March 10
This Tweet from Buster Olney popped up this morning:
By the way:Other teams have asked Royals about Alex Gordon, and the asking price is high: prime-prospect return. KC still invested in him.
Can you imagine the heat GMDM would be getting right now had he traded Gordon last winter?

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:33:28 +0000

Is Leo Mazzone a possible candidate? http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Leo_Mazzone

By: Dave Farquhar

Dave Farquhar — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:46:25 +0000

I like Yost’s specifications of what he’s looking for, but Craig brings up a good point. McClure fits, but was left-handed. I’d look for a crafty right-hander.

I think a phone call to Rick Sutcliffe would be prudent. He’s still in baseball (working for ESPN), he’s done some part-time pitching coaching in the minors, and late in his career Baltimore brought him in to help mentor their young pitchers. His 1979, 1982 and 1984 seasons were based on talent; his post-1985 success was not. He pitched hurt a lot, and some years it worked better than others. He knows what it’s like to win with talent, and what it’s like to win on grit.

And he has ties to Kansas City. He grew up in the KC area.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:41:43 +0000

McClure was a good pitching coach. He stayed 6 years, outlasted 2 managers, and oversaw a Cy Young winner. That is a solid resume. He worked with what was given to him. What I am interested in is the change of philosophy. Will he be a proponent of long toss? Will he be able to cultivate the young guys to quickly acclimate to big league hitters? Will he teach them it is OK to give up the HR, but it is not acceptable to walk the 2 guys ahead of it? Will he be from Atlanta? I am anxious to see what happens and can not wait until next year.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:34:36 +0000

I have no idea if McClure has done a good job or not. We’ve had a lot of pitching injuries over the years that Hillman took heat for but McClure was sitting right next to him. At the same time, pretty hard to find a staff over the 6 year period with as little talent as the Royals just had. Greinke being the exception. Lets hope GMDM in the off season builds a staff that won’t make the new pitching coach feel like he’s inheriting a dead end job.

By: KCattheBat

KCattheBat — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:25:16 +0000

An early Christmas present for FB!