Slaton & Chaves deserve more than this. I mean, this is the kind of crap that happens all the time at MY job, to prove that management may SAY they’ll promote from within or want people to have opportunities to grow within their organization, but their actions tell a completely different story. Sometimes it’s accidental, and maybe it is in the case of the Ms not being straight with Slaton & Chaves, but honestly, it’s not THAT hard to treat people with respect and given this article, and if there’s even the tiniest grain of truth in Finnegan’s article about Ichiro’s treatment under Bavasi/Hargrove….(yeah, I know having the slightest grain of truth in a Finnegan article is a stretch)….well, I’m starting to see a disturbing trend that will impact our ability to sign/retain good coaches OR players. You gotta treat your people right, cuz it’s really a pretty small industry and word gets around real fast if you don’t.

Speaking of former catchers, on Vancouver radio yesterday morning one of the sports guys told a story about Dan Wilson. In the 1995 ALCS, he didn’t bother to chase a wild pitch because he knew he couldn’t prevent Kenny Lofton from taking third on the play. Lofton decided to keep going and scored as a result.

After the game, there was a huge crowd of reporters around Wilson in the clubhouse, and this radio guy knew he couldn’t get anywhere near him to get a statement about the game. So instead he went and talked to everyone else he thought might have something to say. But when all was done and Wilson finally got left alone, the radio guy went up to Wilson and said “I know you’re probably sick of talking about this…” and Wilson cut him off. “No,” said Wilson, “it’s okay. I know it’s your job. Ask away.” And so the radio guy will always remember Wilson fondly for hanging around to answer all the questions after a game in which he was clearly the goat.

Wilson has himself a great reputation. How long before someone offers him a managerial gig?