Bench coach change question

[waterdown]

Was there a reason given why the bench coach change?
Was McEwing seen as a temporary fill in, because Matt pulled out late and what is his current role?

[Brian Walton]

Welcome, waterdown. There was no specific reason given. McEwing was made a special assistant, which means his duties are as assigned, but not in uniform.

Since the bench coach is the right-hand man of the manager, my guess is the manager wanted his own man. But that is just my speculation. Or maybe he didn’t mesh with the expectations of the front office? Who knows?

There is more discussion and links to some related articles starting on page 4 of the thread called “Molina joining coaching staff? Descalso is in!”.

[blingboy]

Handling of the bench coach role is kind of unsettling somehow. The Descalso hire seems consistent with the notion that the coaching staff roles in Mo’s system do not require any depth of experience nor the knowledge and insight that comes from that. Experience working within that system effectively at the minor league seems to be the key attribute with coaching staff hires in recent years. The bench coach role has been filled from outside, though, but lately with pretty deep connection to the organization.

The Descalso hire seems a lot like the Skip hire, except Descalso only has one prior year of MLB coaching experience rather that the four Skip had. I am not sure I see the purpose in bringing someone in, if their resume does not establish that they are bringing something. Different insights, a different perspective, whatever it is that might explain going outside the organization.

Joe McEwing was an abberation, and my personal opinion is he was sort of a TLR legacy hire, coming in on short notice. McEwing had been a St. Louis fan favorite, and a TLR favorite, during the Big Mac hoopla years. When his career fizzled he was hired as a minor league coach by the White Sox, where TLR had gotten his managerial start years prior, and then he intersected with Tony again when TLR came back to manage the Sox in 2020-2021. Then when the Cardinals need somebody on short notice, McEwing shows up here. It is kind of weird, but there has always been a TRL connection with him. But it should not be surprising that he was moved out of the dugout for this year. He doesn’t fit the role. He does strike me as a guy you want in the organization though, so I am glad he is still here.

[GameCard]

Skip Schumacher should be our Manager.

[Brian Walton]

bling said:

Descalso only has one prior year of MLB coaching experience…

Actually, he has one year of front office experience and zero coaching experience at any level – MLB or the minors. (Hello, Mike Matheny!)

I am sure Descalso is a smart guy and may have a nice future ahead, and fans like him as a popular former player, but is he really the best man for the job of MLB bench coach here and now? One thing is that he isn’t a threat to Oli like Yadi would have been. Nobody will be pleading for Descalso to take over as manager, but then again Super Joe wasn’t a threat, either. Skip had a much more extensive background before he was hired.

[blingboy]

Thanks for that correction. Like I said, its unsettling. I don’t understand the reason for bringing someone in but it seems to be a thing. Bringing someone who is not bringing something is hard to figure.

[gscottar]

If Ollie and the Cardinals struggle in 2024 I imagine the newly appointed special assistant to the PBO will be looming large. The one not named Joe.

[waterdown]

Thanks for the responses
Seems once again another move thats not explained and seems to have no rhyme or reason
Kind curious why this want brought up by PD writers or others in the press

[Brian Walton]

The “official” team website has a new article that says this:

“Descalso, now 37, is hoping to use his likeable relatability to bridge the gap between the players and the coaching staff as the Cardinals’ new bench coach under manager Oliver Marmol.”

Does this suggest his predecessor was not likeable and/or did not relate well to the players? Or are they just trying to explain the choice beyond his friendship with the manager (which also gets a lot of focus in the article)?

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/daniel-descalso-talks-new-role-as-cardinals-bench-coach

[Nathan Leopold Jr.]

Game Card, you are right and I know the solution.

We need to trade Edman for Skip!

[blingboy]

“Descalso, now 37, is hoping to use his likeable relatability to bridge the gap between the players and the coaching staff

I wonder if the players know its a good cop, bad cop set up?

[Brian Walton]

It may just be official site happy talk.

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