Dodgers need to bring back Larry Bowa

This should be a no-brainer, right? As easy as hitting a Charlie Haeger fastball. Simple, logical … and far from a done deal?

Don Mattingly, rookie manager, needs a veteran presence as his bench coach. Mattingly said Monday he wants it to be someone with previous managerial experience.

Larry Bowa has managed both the Padres and Phillies. Figures he’s done all he can as a third base coach and would like to become the bench coach. Mattingly would like him to become that guy too.

Only so far, it hasn’t happened. So far, you should be nervous that it might not.

Understand, Mattingly is not being given free rein to select his own coaching staff. It’s a meeting-of-the-minds thing.

"We won't have anybody that he's not comfortable with or anybody that I'm not comfortable with," said General Manager Ned Colletti.

This is not an unusual arrangement, though I suspect not the preferred one by managers. Particularly young managers who will be keenly critiqued. Let them succeed or fail on their own, with their own staff.

But here, Mattingly essentially has to get approval for his coaches.

So why wouldn’t the Dodgers want Bowa back? One concern is, because he’s hurt Matt Kemp’s feelings. Or is it his silly agent, Dave Stewart? Or that he asks too much of the kids. You know, like playing hard.

"Baseball’s a funny game," Bowa said. "You get a reputation of being too tough, and a lot of general managers don’t want that, a real tough guy. I’m not tough, I’m fair. I’m real honest."

Earlier this season, Bowa said Kemp was an amazing talent who had yet to learn to play hard all the time. It was absolutely correct. Kemp even agreed. And yet, an uproar ensued.

"I didn’t get on anybody," Bowa said. "I said, 'Matt, you’ve got to play this game the right way.' Then he said in the paper, 'Larry’s right. I don’t run hard all the time.' I mean, if that makes you lose your job, maybe it’s time to move on somewhere. When I say something about a player, I’m trying to make him better."

Bob Schaefer spent the last three years as Joe Torre’s bench coach and said he won’t return. Schaefer, remember, confronted Kemp in the dugout over his continual failure to back up second base but never publicly criticized the outfielder.

Mariano Duncan, the Dodgers’ first base coach, is not expected back. Duncan said he’s been given permission to talk to other clubs, which is code for you won’t be retained. Duncan said if he can’t find another major league job, the Dodgers might have something in their minor-league system for him.

Rick Honeycutt could return as pitching coach and Jeff Pentland as hitting instructor. Tim Wallach, if he isn’t hired to manage in the majors, could become the hitting coach.

That still leaves room for a veteran, honest coach who respects the game. Who gives straight answers. Who has been through the wars.

"If they want me back, I’d be glad to come back," Bowa said. "Because I sort of consider this unfinished business. Even though we won the division, to me the ultimate thing is a ring."

I was talking to ex-Dodger Jay Johnstone a couple of weeks ago about the team, when without prompting, he suddenly said:

"You give me nine Larry Bowas and I’ll win the World Series every year."

Mattingly needs Bowa back. And so do the kids, even if they don’t realize it.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[HI Dodger Fan]

no problem with bowa, but bring honeycutt back? forget it. he's done nothing for the pitchers. broxton, regressed. troncoso? ely? all worse. bills has gone up and down, down and up. kershaw is simply a beast. honeycutt couldn't mess him up even if he tried. monasterios actually did better earlier in the year. i'd show honeycutt and his nibbling philosophy to the door.

[David Young (AKA El Lay Dave)]

Didn't Larry Bowa get fired from two manager jobs because the players grew to really dislike him? In any case, I'd rather the bench coach be someone considered a master game strategist, because Mattingly is going to need a lot of help there as a rookie manager. Anyone like that available? How is Willie Randolph regarded in those terms?

[Kenny Brooks]

Jay Johnstone does not appear to be very smart.

Does he mean 9 Larry Bowas playing (i.e. The Los Angeles Bowas)? If so, Johnstone should be shot in the face. As a middle infielder, Larry Bowa's carrer OPS+ was 71 over 16 seasons (Famed offensive juggernaut Delino Deshield's OPS+ was 97 over 13 seasons). His career slugging was .320 which falls short of known juicers like Juan Pierre (.347) and Ozzie Smith (.328).

Simply put, the Los Angeles Larry Bowas (getting .320 slugging out of LF, RF, 1B, and 3B) would likely lose somewhere between 125 and 7,233 games per season. Unless

the playoff structure was severely modified (to allow every team), the LA Bowas would have no chance of winning the world series in any year...let alone every year. Also, I'm not sure if Mr. Johnstone considered the fact that Bowa never pitched and will be 65 in December.

Conversely, maybe Johnstone meant that 9 Larry Bowas should be coaching the team and getting them all fired up...old man style. If so, Johnstone should be (edited out).

[Steve Dilbeck]

Kenny Brooks: I think there's a chance you missed the point.

[Scott from Marina Del Rey]

I don't know, Steve. Larry Bowa seems like sort of a Roshach test to me. A lot of people like him for being "old school", but he also rubs others the wrong way, too. To back up the latter view, he's criticized players harshly who have gone on to have great careers without him, so it's not like Matt Kemp necessarily "needs" a guy like that getting on him all the time.

Given everything we saw this year, I lean towards moving on, though I do think he made some very reasonable points during the season. Ultimately, I trust Mattingly to make the right decision on this one, as he saw the whole thing right in front of him, and knows a lot more about what really happened than we do.

[Zen]

Perfect solution: Make Kemp the Bench Coach.

[16blows]

Harbinger visions of regret and auditory impingement - someone cue Morris Albert and 'Feelings'...

I recall how former PITT Steeler LB Jack Lambert said, "QBs should wear dresses" in reference the aspect you can't touch them without hurting their feelings & your own wallet, contention give way to couth.

This was back in the 1970's, when football morphed from a contact sport into ballet (speaking of which, I always wondered what Lambert thot of teammate Lynn Swann who actually studied the art of the tutu; but I digress.)

The Dodgers et al... Larry Bowa... Matt Kemp...

Appears to me - from a vantage point outside via utterances media, coaches & player himself - that the latter may have already been fitted for a tutu himself 2010, via his own device, tho not without help by way all the aforementioned folks too.

My take? Someone cue Matt Kemp.

Tis an old story the athlete who - much too late - wakes up only to discover he squandered his talents, and laments that if only he could do things over again would things be done differently - alas, there be but one summer in life every customer as an old Twilight Zone episode epitaphed, no do-overs. In baseball, examples the chagrin hindsight Mickey Mantle comes to mind his particulars, and so too a Richie Allen among others for me, fan since the 1950's. Attitude, injury and/or circumstance otherwise, tales o that saddest of stories ever told - 'what might have been' - abound.

Same principle, different principals - or perhaps in reality one & the same?

I can remember watching Richie as a Dodger - he lasted here for one season; all told, made six stops MLB outposts his career, two in the same city 2010 Dodger coach Larry Bowa would play on one year after Allen left and which Bowa later managed - PHIL.

Allen and Kemp. While the specifics aren't identical, may turn out same - the latter either 'gets on board' here or will 'get out' of here (LA at minimum), via his own device and/or a helping hand front office. Wondrously talented yet found not worth the trouble his baseball itinerary considered, Allen was one of my favorite players ever to watch for what he did with a bat in his hands - on the field (though he also had a Marichal moment of sorts his own 1965. )

(http://www.jockbio.com/Classic/D_Allen/D_Allen_bio.html)

^ If Frank Thomas shoulder were the baseball impetus and Allen the batter, Frank could've starred as the one-armed man in 'The Fugitive' tv series the 1960's.)

And not just appendages sliced off as player from team same - teachers too was the claim some that Allen was the cause Manager or two being Manager PHIL no more. This isn't to say that even were said the case it be why Torre left the Dodgers resigned to the tack modern players as Kemp/others, but as anyone can speculate it's worth considering in light 'old school' ways Dodger coach(es) & 'nowadays ways' player(s) - "Feelings" mine, 'nothing more than feelings", nod to Morris Albert.

For the record, eventually Allen too became as former Manager's there PHIL- no more, first of an eventual six moves his. No winners, only losers all around... and for what? While specifics aren't identical then and now, the result might be. Et tu Matt Kemp? Dodgers?

Eventually we all get back what we put into it, or at least what we deserve...

[Native Angeleno]

Just occurred to me, Torre retired but may return to managing. Who did he leave behind, now no longer on his managing team? Bowa and Schaefer. If he gets another job he can't refuse, it now won't be with either one of those guys.

[crystalheuvo]

OK Kenny........how about 4 Larry Bowas and 5 Jamey Carrolls.

[Labeldude]

Why would you want any of the coaches back, including Mattingly? Is it so we can continue our great situational hitting? Is it to see if the line-ups can be any more inane? Is it because our starters and bully was so lights out we don't want to disrupt the flow? I know, its the stellar leather they flashed all year.

But, I worry for nothing. What could possibly go wrong when they have to pass Flanders stringent seal of approval before they can join Little Joe's staff?

BTW, does Frank even know the season's over?

[bob cuomo]

If Mattingly wants Bowa to be his bench coach, and Bowa wants to be the bench coach, then it should be a done deal. They've worked together several years (with the Yankees and here). I don't see the problem...it certainly can't be money. C'mon, Colletti, get it done...you have much bigger problems to solve (a solid starting pitcher or two, a left fielder, a third baseman, a catcher).

[alanw19]

Glad to hear Bowa won't be in the third base box. As for being the the bench coach, the Dodgers could do a lot worse.

I'd prefer to know the other candidates before offering any ringing endorsement.

Wallach as hitting coach could be good. However, not sure he won't land a managerial job.

[pete]

What a weird situation. The Dodgers need a young, vibrate staff in contrast to the old, tired staff of this past season. But with Mattingly now pulling the strings he might feel comfortable with Bowa along for the ride.

Bottom line for me is we still made a mistake with Mattingly. We should have cleaned house. But I hope I am seriously wrong.

[OldBrooklynFan]

I don't see why, Kemp affair included, the Dodgers wouldn't want Larry Bowa as Mattingly's bench coach. Especially do to the fact that Donnie would like to have him.

[mel counts]

I was at a game in the late 70`s Dodgers vs. philly. There was a little blooper hit out to shallow left field. Bowa goes out, luzinski comes in. I thought after the collision that bowa was dead. (Greg Luzinski was a big man)Bowa was taken off the field on a strecher. That was how Bowa played. One tough dude and always worth the price of admission. Bowa should be the manager but this generation of wimps who play the game could not play under him.

[David S]

Why settle for Bowa? Why not get more new blood into the organization. Phil Garner was a manager and I think he is out there. Wouldn't he be a terrific bech coach for Donnie? How about a guy like Jim Fregosi? Or Jim Lefebvre? There are guys out there who would be a nice change to Bowa who seems to have worn out his welcome.

[68elcamino427]

Bring back Bowa?
This is a punch line for a joke, right?

[Nick]

I agree, Bowa needs to come back as the bench coach. As I remember correctly, everyone liked Bowa for his toughness on players. Both Mattingly and Colleti both stated yesterday that their needs to be more mental toughness in 11'. I have a pretty good feeling that Bowa will return but Duncan will not.

As for Honeycutt, he'll be back too. He did wonders with Kershaw, Bills and Kuroda. He transformed Padilla when he came on board last year (injured most of this year). Only failure he had this year was the bullpen. Honeycutt and Howell are both back next year.

[KoufaxFan]

Nine Larry Bowas and you get nine guys that don't know how to be a third base coach: you cannot keep signaling baserunners to stop and score rounding third at the same time. And run all the way down the line to watch a guy cross home plate while forget about the base runner behind.

[Rhianna]

I agree with Larry.

[bill]

how about fernado. pitching coach??

[Dodger Fan]

I'm sure Mr. Brooks is proud of the way he ended his comments. Hopefully his mother won't read them. It isn't smart or cute. It was just immature and distracted from the rest of his comments.

That being said, I would guess that what Jay Johnstone meant was the he would take 9 players (or coaches) with Bowa's passion, knowledge and respect for the game. Larry is more concerned with winning and building excellence that he is with being accused of disrespecting a kid with an over inflated ego.

[lawdog]

I've liked Bowa until last season. If you bring back Bowa, you might as well trade Kemp now while he still has trade value. Keeping Bowa is the equivalent of giving up on Kemp. The Dogs don't have the resources to do that right now. We have too many holes in the lineup as it is.

Right now we need to replace our 3b, ss, 2b, LF and C--to say nothing about our sad sack pitching staff. Why would we want to add CF to the list just to keep an old 3b coach who tends to rag on the younger players?

[lawdog]

We might as well change the name of the team to the "Los Angeles Lambs" if we don't manage to rid ourselves of the bottom feeders masquerading as team owners. If we don't get new owners it will be SOSAD again in 2011. (Same old sorry ass Dodgers.)

[Chris Raines]

Great post on Larry Bowa. Couldn't agree more. Dodgers need to have that kind of influence in the dugout, and the coaches need to be given authority to teach, coach, and in some cases, come down on a guy when he needs it (as tricky as that might be). Players need to be mature, they need to know how to benefit from those around them, and they need to understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves. Coaches need to help them see this. I think Bowa can do that.

[lawdog]

It's hard enough to keep playing hard almost everyday for 6 months. Why make the players endure the constant ragging of an old washed up player who still lives in the 19th century?

I don't get this love for Bowa. He was barely competent as a third base coach and he's definitely messed with Kemp's head. Why do so many fans seem to think it to be in our best interest to keep this bully with symptoms of early stage dementia?

One of the best part of seeing Torre, (who had clearly lost it completely last season), quit like he did was the idea that Bowa and Honeycutt would no longer be screwing up the heads of the players.

[K]

@pete, yes, Mattingly is a huge mistake, but we're stuck with him because that's the way Torre and Colletti arranged it back in 2007.

Further, the only way this house gets cleaned is with a new owner, and that won't happen for at least another year.

As for Bowa as bench coach...Mattingly wanting this scares me quite a bit because it suggests that Mattingly himself thinks he isn't ready to manage, that he thinks he needs someone with previous managing experience to "advise" him.

But even so, I'm not sure that Bowa is a good choice to do this. His previous managing experience did not go well at all. He has a hair-trigger temper and is not particularly good at people managing. Bowa makes a better coach, not a "co-manager".

Just my nickel's worth...

[Luke McCain]

I don't get all the comments that Bowa messed with Kemp's head. He did his job by telling Kemp that he needed to play hard all the time and Kemp agreed. Kemp and Ethier have come across as primadonnas after only a year or two in the majors. In the urban parlance that Kemp is so fond of, he is not all of that... at least not yet. He has big time physical ability but he seems to strut around as a big time star and sometimes skates by on just his raw talent. Ethier also has an attitude, confirmed by one of the reporters who travel with the team, and could use some constructive criticism too. I applaud Bowa and Schafer for trying to coach those guys. I wish they would have done more of it. If the Dodger primadonnas got their feelings hurt, that is just too bad.
I don't have a problem with Bowa as bench coach. I just hope Mattingly walks his talk and will get in the face of any players who are dogging it.

[N.P.Krohn]

Bowa should be managing this team of unmotivated underperformers. Duncan at best has been a distraction. What was he doing while everybody(not just Kemp) got picked off a million times at first this year. It's been my experience that to win a fight it's alot easier when you are in the right. Bowa has a larger than life temper but he always has a valid baseball reason to get upset. Duncan gets into wierd arguments. The Best thing Torre brought was cagy gamemanship and knowledge of the rulebook, which Bowa has in spades(any one remember the walk-off balk he helped Blake pull off?). While i'm glad Torre is moving on to drink tea somewhere else; the fire and knowledge Bowa provides is even more crucial to the Dodgers next year. Either way, as a fan first I'm gonna miss yelling at Bowa to get back in the coaches box. Even got a laugh from him on my B-day in Cincy!

[lawdog]

You guys who think a bully like Bowa would make a great manager for us because he'd rag on our under performers until they started performing up to their potential are living in a world that no longer exist. That kind of bullying, ahhh, make that "managing" was effective in the 50s but it no longer works.

To begin with, a guy making a couple of hundred thousand dollars is not going to be able to push around players making 20 or 30 times what he's making. Add to that fact that the coach in question has a helluva time just being a competent 3rd base coach. How many times did you see Bowa hold a runner in a situation where he should have scored, or send a man who gets thrown out by 20 feet? Or even worse, send a man and then try, unsuccessfully, to hold him up at the last minute while running all the way down to the plate to see if his incompetent coaching got his man thrown out?

Bowa has a hard enough time just getting through life each day. He was a great player in his day but got himself fired as a manager for his inability to earn the respect of his players, much less get along with them.

He's a "has been" with a coaching style that went out with the hula hoop. He's living in the wrong century and the sooner we're free of his influence on the field, the better.