The tumult for the 2008 season extended beyond the field for Bavasi as his father, and mentor Buzzie Bavasi, died on May 1st. Bavasi, never used his father’s death as an excuse to duck questions from inquiring reporters as to the cataclismic collapse of the team that he put together. As the M’s struggles continued, he further took it upon himself to remove the post game spread and towels from the locker room until each player made themselves available to answer questions fired at them by local media members.

Ultimately, the accumulation of poor free agent signings, terrible managerial hires, dubious draft history, inefficient and poorly planned player development, and the lack of attention to team chemistry have sunk the Mariner ship and they had no choice but to toss their helmsman overboard. To his credit, Bavasi candidly fielded questions from the media for about 45 minutes. How many people, on the heels of being fired and ridiculed by strangers across the country would have the desire to stand up and answer for their failure to perform their duties? I would venture to say that many of us would opt to go home and wait for the severance check.

This stands out to me as being a huge indicator of the person that Bavasi is beyond his failures as a General Manager. Bavasi, by all accounts, is a man of solid integrity, dedication to his family and to his work. I wish him the best of luck in all of his life ventures and forgive him for the damage he has done to my beloved Mariners!

I lost my job today, and was feeling kinda down and watched the US open playoff. Even though Tiger won it and deserved the win, I felt for Rocco.

Then, on the way home, I get the news the Bavasi joined me in the unemployment line. My spirits soared! I found myself thinking the Mariners could have a chance in the future. (Emphasis on *could*.)

By tonight, even though we got waxed yet again, I see Dennis Raben got a Web Gem on ESPN. And I’ve even got a few leads on new jobs.

The future is looking brighter and brighter.

Is it so beyond the pale to believe that a very bright, and by most accounts, personable young guy could get better at those things?

Yup.

Remember who you’re dealing with. A team that thinks 15 games is enough to see that a rookie can’t cut it. And that veteran goodness trumps inexperienced talent.

From out here in Massachusetts, I offer the example of Bill Belichick who didn’t win that much as coach of the Cleveland Browns (he inherited a terrible roster). The chorus of nays when he was hired by the Patriots was deafening. After one year building the team up they’ve been terrific.

People learn. People get better. Not always, but it does happen. Paul DePodesta actually made mostly good decisions with the Dodgers but he could have played some of the public relations and internal relations parts of the job better. Is it so beyond the pale to believe that a very bright, and by most accounts, personable young guy could get better at those things?

Best of luck to you, Bill.

“Hey Pepe, I didn’t know you had a twin brother. That’s nice. I HAVE TO GO NOW.” (Bavasi ascends through top of frame)

Well, I guess you can take the “Pepe Vidro” commercial out of rotation.

Well that happened when Pentland was fired. Now we just have to fire Vidro and that commercial will be done for good.