The Milwaukee Brewers fired their manager with 12 games remaining in the season. The team is tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the Wild Card selection to baseball's post season playoffs.
You would think that after continually building a team to a better record each year for 6 years, Ned Yost (the manager) would have been able to complete the journey. Actually one of my basic universal laws is still in tack: "there is no such thing as job security".
It is fun to watch the soap opera play out. Doug Melvin, the general manager, doesn't fire anyone. He is loyal to his subordinates to a fault. He tries to build on trust and loyality and it usually works. His boss, the loving Mark Attanasio owns a big part of the Brewers along with his investment partners. He has become wealthy by making shrewd financial decisions. There is no question in my mind that Attanasio said "fire Yost tomorrow" and Doug Melvin dutifully complied.
In defense of Attanasio, he has a business to run. There are hundreds of employees (maybe thousands) that depend on the Milwaukee Brewer fanchise. Success means winning. The Brewers have spent big bucks locking in Ryan Braun to a $46 million long term contract. They traded for C.C. Sabathia along with his $10 million dollar salary for the rest of this year knowing he will cost $18 million next year and beyond. Attanasio opened the wallet to winning this year and that is in suddenly in doubt. What would you do?
Maybe Attanasio fired the wrong man. Doug Melvin has been the architect of this baseball club and it is faultering. Melvin chose Ed Yost to manage player operations. Melvin's plan isn't working. Of course you fired Yost. It is simple logic. The boss isn't going to get fired.
I mentioned that there is no such thing as job security. Doug Melvin should be worried. I can tell you his job is in jeopardy. Yost thought his job was safe and look what happened to him..
The lesson Grasshoppers is that the person who owns "the ball", controls the game. It is Attanasio's money. The rest is a social soap opera. Doug Melvin should start looking for a job. The only thing that could save Melvin's job is that the Brewers, through some miracle, make the playoffs and win the World Series. I guess miracles can enhance job security.
Love,
Dad