Comments on: Experience isn’t everything

By: The Ancient Mariner

The Ancient Mariner — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:03:29 +0000

Actually, Friedman leaving is the reason Bear Stearns collapsed. The nerve of that guy, leaving just because he thought turning the Rays around was an even bigger challenge than keeping Wall Street afloat . . .

By: Mike Snow

Mike Snow — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:44:30 +0000

Baker actually has a much better post up now. He makes a good point about the difference between lack of ego and having one's ego in check. It's an important question in identifying who can successfully clean up this mess while dealing with Lincoln and Armstrong in place. And since it's really more generic organizational behavior than anything baseball-specific, Baker's analysis seems fine this time. You might even say that with his background of working for multiple news organizations, Baker is well-qualified for this particular kind of analysis.

By: Jeff Nye

Jeff Nye — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:00:36 +0000

There are times where I wish we could post graphics as comments…because right now, I’d post an enormous picture of a dead horse being beaten.

By: Jim Thomsen

Jim Thomsen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:45:06 +0000

I think most of us can agree on this about Baker: He’s a good reporter. He does a good job of gathering information and quotes, of telling us what’s happened and what is happening.

He’s not an analyst, however, and whenever he tries to take the information he gathers and put it into some sort of analytical perspective, he usually goes off the rails.

By: Eleven11

Eleven11 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:35:24 +0000

I wouldn’t get upset over Bakers article. First, he is reporting what he sees as not making the selection. Everyone sees things differently so his view is interesting, not bad. Second, experience is a factor. The only one? Of course not. But a GM not only picks players but manages a large number of employees. Some people are naturals others are not. Without experience to look at, you are taking a gamble. With a track record, you have a better idea of what you will probably get. In short, look at all the factors you have and decide where you will compromise, because you will have to. Because some young guys have done well does not mean experience is unimportant. It is one element.

By: MKT

MKT — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:12:40 +0000

andrew friedman got into the rays and out of bear stearns at the right time.

Heh, good one! That’s market timing for ya.

By: mikethomas22

mikethomas22 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:55:26 +0000

andrew friedman got into the rays and out of bear stearns at the right time.

By: Joe C

Joe C — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:53:24 +0000

It was the experience of Bavasi who was relying on the experience of Cairo, Vidro, Sexson, Batista, Rhodes, and all the old guys who were declining that got us into this mess.

By: msb

msb — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:41:04 +0000

But with the younger? Generally, youth comes with less baggage than the vetsâ€¦.

I imagine that most GMs, young and old, have had some dealings with her via the Yankees & Dodgers …

By: gwangung

gwangung — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:20:53 +0000

Well, the actual news coming out of Baker’s blog was fine. The commentary and analysis, however, wasn’t; when it was pointed out, it was just made me think there was a hidden agenda or a personal grudge was operating here.