Once I learned that Brad Mills was hired as the Astros manager,I reached out to two good friends who have covered the Red Sox for parts or all of the last decade and asked them simply, "What do you think of Brad Mills?" Here's what I received back:
Friend No. 1:
"Mills is a genuinely nice guy and he did an amazing job turning the Sox into such a well-run machine. He's so efficient at everything he does. He's not a great quote but he's friendly and respectful. He's the ultimate taskmaster."
Friend No. 2:
"Tremendously organized. Probably the most organized coach I've ever been around. He had basically every day of Spring Training plotted out weeks in advance of camp, with charts on where everyone is at all times.
"He was a big help to Francona on the bench, helping pitchers with pickoff moves, etc., and aligning the defense, etc. He had great communication skills with the players and has been Francona's confidant since their days as roommates at Arizona.
"I've never heard anyone say a bad word about Brad Mills. And being around Francona on the Red Sox bench for the last six years can only help from an experience standpoint."
Two things stood out to me from these responses: 1) both said Mills was incredibly organized and 2) Friend No. 2 pointed out that Mills is good at aligning defenses. And can I just say, hallelujah on both counts. The Astros are already better off in '10 than they were in '09, and they're more than five months away from playing a game that counts in the standings.
I've heard from many of you over the last couple of weeks, and please allow me clear up a few misconceptions: coaches are responsible for much, much more than what you see them do during an actual game. Scouting reports need to be scoured. Spray charts need to be studied. Pitchers and catchers need to be prepped. And on and on and on.
Positioning has been an issue with this team for a long time -- too long. Just hearing that Mills had a lot to do with aligning the Red Sox' defense makes me feel like the Astros are on the right track. It seems like such a small thing, I know. But it's not. It's huge. Manager and coach pregame preparation can make all the difference between and winning and losing seasons.
Here's what Red Sox manager Terry Francona said about his now former bench coach:
"I've probably taken it for granted that everybody is where they're supposed to be because he's so good at it. We'll certainly have to make some adjustments. But his gain far outweighs any adjustments we have to make. Millsy embodies so much of what is good in baseball. For him to get an opportunity, it sure is nice. It sure is exciting for all of us."
I have no idea what kind of manager Mills will be and until he's actually sitting in the hot seat, none of us can make the judgment. But he was impressive during his press conference on Tuesday and I'm looking forward to seeing how he guides this team through a challenging transitional period.
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On another note, I haven't seen the press conference room at Minute Maid Park this packed since Roger Clemens unretired for the 97th time a few years ago. When I saw Drayton McLane in the hallway a few minutes before the press conference started, I jokingly said, "Congratulations on getting this over with before the World Series." He laughed and said the Commissioner called him three times -- twice Monday and once Tuesday morning. "He said, 'You have until 5 p.m. (Tuesday) to get this done,'" McLane recalled. That was the deadline -- hire a manager by then, or wait until after the World Series. The former reporter in me was thankful this thing was over and done with.
I'm sure most of you have watched the press conference on TV or online in some capacity. Sound bites are nice and photo opps are fun, but that doesn't give you the full experience. Here are some images from Tuesday's presser, some of which you won't normally see just by watching from afar. Enjoy.
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The media waited inside the press conference room, but outside, Mills and several members of the front office chatted casually before entering the room. Kudos to Mills (seen here with assistant GM Ricky Bennett) for acting naturally as three or four photographers snapped close up photos.
A little to the left of Mills stood owner Drayton McLane and GM Ed Wade.
PR director Gene Dias (middle) gives the gentle, "OK, we're ready" signal, which is a nice way of telling the group, let's go. Time to start the presser.
The normal order of speakers at a major Astros press conference is 1)Wade; 2)McLane and 3) whoever they hired/signed. This announcement was obviously a big one, hence, the packed room. That's Larry Dierker in the front.
Mills came across very well at the press conference. When he was asked to hold up the jersey again, he held up the front instead of back. "The name on the front is more important than the name on the back," he said. Good move.
Once each speaker has answered questions at the podium, the formal part of the presser is over and it's time for "one-on-ones." TVs like this because it gives more of a personal touch. Beat/print reporters like this because they need more quotes than just what is said during the formal part.
Reporters headed in three directions -- most went to Mills, some went to Wade, some went to McLane. It's a media free-for-all.
Once word spread that hitting coach Sean Berry and Mills are friends and neighbors in California, Berry became a media target. Berry happened to be in town for a Make-A-Wish golf tournament (which was rained out Monday and rescheduled for November).
Nothing like a press conference to bring a couple of former Astros greats to the ballpark. Left, Enos Cabell. Right, Larry Dierker.
Photo opp No. 477: Mills checks out the field at Minute Maid Park. Photographers document every move while trying not to step on anyone.
Mills and Wade have a chuckle while getting situated:
Tal Smith (left), Mills, Wade
Then McLane joins in.
Side view.
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