Loading ...In this space, we had intended to bring you a big exclusive: an interview with Reds General Manager Wayne Krivsky.
Last week, Mr. Krivsky graciously allowed me to pepper him with questions for a half-hour, or so. After the interview, I checked my digital recorder…and there was nothing. Well, my voice was barely audible, but I couldn’t hear Mr. Krivsky at all.
That recorder now resides at the local landfill.
Anyway, I’ve been attempting to re-create the interview from my notes, and I’m not having much luck…but I hope to have something for you guys and gals very soon. In the meantime, let me give you my impressions of Wayne Krivsky.
First of all, I have to note my appreciation that he would take time out of his day to speak with me. He was under no obligation to do it, and in fact, I expected him to decline the invitation. It is to his enormous credit that he was willing to take a few questions.
I have to say that I came away impressed. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and the profiles of Krivsky in local media haven’t really given me a sense of who he is. I know now: Wayne Krivsky is very confident that he will turn this team around, and he is more confident in the plan he has established to reach his goals. This is a man who sees no reason why the Reds shouldn’t be contenders, and he believes that his experience with the Twins is the perfect background for someone who is in charge of the Reds.
I inquired about performance analysis — i.e., stat geek stuff — and while Krivsky clearly isn’t a “stat guy,” he came across as very open-minded about what statistical analysis can bring to the table. He isn’t hostile to the Baseball Prospectus-types, and I expect him to rely on such analysts…though he will rely on scouting, as well. Krivsky made a very convincing argument about what scouts bring to the table — he was almost defensive about it — but he also recognized that scouting is a piece of the puzzle and that it’s all about getting as much information as you can.
The biggest reaction I got from Krivsky was when I asked about the new owner, Bob Castellini. I got the feeling that these guys are on the same page, and that they want to turn this organization around quickly. Krivsky says that Castellini has infected the entire organization with his attitude, and there’s a “different feel” around the team.
Overall, I’m a pretty optimistic guy. I like to hold out hope that the Reds are going to be good, even when things don’t look bright. After talking to Wayne Krivsky, I am even more optimistic about the Reds future…and I’m willing to give him some time to implement his plan.
We may just see the glory days return to the Queen City. My fingers are crossed.
Patience is the key. We’re still not in leaague with the Astros, who can maarch out pitcher after pitcher and shut us down. It takes time – but attitude is good for right now, and that is a welcome change from the dreary days of Danno.
I think attitude can play a huge role in the success or failure of a ball team. No one will argue that the Reds are the best team in the NL Central. But when you start stringing wins together and the players gel and work well together, you can win some ball games. Teams can win even w/o the best talent. Let’s just hope we don’t suffer some heartbreaking losses that ruins the team. Right now, I feel as though we could beat anyone.
Nice work on the interview Chad!
Chad, you came away with essentially the same feelings I developed being arund these guys in spring training (as I had mentioned in a previous thread). My comments were met with as much skepticsm as anything else — so I hope your experience serves to put a punctuation mark on mine.
I am a Reds fan — always have been — but I haven’t been this enthused about the direction of the club since Bob Howsam took over as GM.
This team is on the verge of taking off and getting to where we all want it to be. The men at the top are going to get us over the hump.
I’ll take a scrappy team that fights it’s collective guts out every game over a group of overpaid whiners any day of the week. We may not be the biggest dog in the fight, but we can certainly hold our own, and right now after 2 1/2 months on the job that’s saying quite a bit based on the former regime’s output.
I’m very encouraged by not only what Krivsky said but that he did the interview in the first place. A while back I remember a thread about the growing role of “new media” in general and blogs in particular in sports. This shows that the Reds recognize and are open to new ways to reach out to their fan base. Progressivism, for lack of a better word, has been absent for too long with the Reds, and it’s good to see it back in the organization’s mindset.
The Reds hung on to Wonder Boy Bowden’s act way too long. OB just wasn’t in any hurry to get the team turned around. I hope, and all indications are good, that Krivsky is the guy we need to turn the team around. The team needs a Howsam type tenor with some continuity.
When handing out blame, I’d first visit the palatial office of former owner Carl Lindner. I don’t think he was interested in winning, and that feeling infected the entire organization.
Chris, you have a valid point. I don’t think Linder cared whether the team won or not. It just had to make money. Castelini seems to have his head screwed on straight along those lines. I’m sure he’s not going to bankrupt himself but winning is very important to him. As you pointed out Linder’s attitude became the prevailing one in the organization. I’m pretty sure C’s attitude will be a much more positive one for the team.
If he was a stat guy, we wouldn’t have Brandon Phillips.
Also true. At least if the stat guy was on my level at predicting performance based on stats. I don’t know what the real performance analysts said about Phillips, based on his minor league numbers.
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What would someone need to do to get into a jr.GM role. My son knows every player there stats where they went to school .
why would alex gonzalez be considered when we already have juan castro who’s batting average is better then gonzalez, i can’t believe his glove is better then castro’s either. save the cash and get a starter or closer. letting rich aurilla get away from us is plum dumb also.he’s close to being the best player we got.lord help our reds please!!!!