Dreaded Grady Little will be back in dugouts for 2006

[riverside sluggers]

Brewers to add Little

By Jeff Horrigan

Saturday, October 15, 2005 - Updated: 01:49 AM EST

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Grady Little's exile from Major League Baseball dugouts may be about to end. The Milwaukee Brewers appear to be poised to hire the former Red Sox manager as their bench coach, which would result in his return to uniform for the first time since being let go by the the Red Sox following the disastrous end to the 2003 American League Championship Series. Little, now 55, was vilified by Red Sox fans, who felt that he left a fatigued Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS for far too long, resulting in the squandering of a 5-2 lead and an eventual 11-inning loss to the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

 

Little, who averaged 94 regular-season wins (188-136) during his two years as Boston manager, has spent the past two seasons working for the Chicago Cubs as a roving catcher instructor and a special assistant to general manager Jim Hendry. The Brewers, who finished 81-81 to end their 12-year string of losing seasons, dismissed bench coach Rich Dauer and third base coach Rich Donnelly after the final game. Manager Ned Yost told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Little is "somebody I've had contact with.'' Little and Yost are close friends. They managed together in the Atlanta Braves minor league system and were roommates during spring training.

[Cityofchampions33]

Ohhhhh man, imagine if the Brewer's played us at fenway (interleague). Ohhh man, imagine how long and loud that booo would be. He's lucky he's not in the AL.

[riverside sluggers]

oh im hoping that happens, i'll gladly buy tickets for each game of that series, if it does happen for 2006

[Sizzlin22]

Honestly I don't tihnk Grady would ever take a job in the AL for the very reason he owuld have to go back to Fenway.

 

We may have forgiven Buckner in 2004, but we sure as hell didn't forgive Grady.

[schillingouttheks]

Why does Buckner need to be forgiven? He had shot legs, and that was the manager's fault anyway. We had a backup 1B who was a defensive specialist (I forget his name, but I know he was there), so why wouldn't we put in the best defensive lineup for the last inning? Because the manager wanted Buckner to have a piece of the glory...it's not Buckner's fault he was out there. Granted, it was a stupid ground ball, but it's unfortunate because that's the only thing people remember him for.

[Sizzlin22]

I was actually just trying to make a referance to that sign that said "we forgive Buckner" in St. Louis after game 4.

 

I actually totally agree with you and think it's unfortunate that the 8th or 9th best fielding first baseman in history became a goat because McNamara was an idiot.

[BrentD22]

I hate to say it, but I always thought Grady was a very good mananger and game stragedy guy. Yes he made some giant blunders that I can never forgive him for, but he was a much better mananger than our Tito. If Pedro struck out everyone the rest of that game Grady little would one of our favorite people. It's just sad he coudn't take his head out of his ass long enough to figure out what everyone else from home was yelling at the TV about (take him out!... why is he still in the game Jeff, why?... who has the number to the dug out?...). Thats what it's all about though. Your only as good as your last ____________.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Why does Buckner need to be forgiven? He had shot legs, and that was the manager's fault anyway. We had a backup 1B who was a defensive specialist (I forget his name, but I know he was there), so why wouldn't we put in the best defensive lineup for the last inning? Because the manager wanted Buckner to have a piece of the glory...it's not Buckner's fault he was out there. Granted, it was a stupid ground ball, but it's unfortunate because that's the only thing people remember him for.

I believe his name was Dave Stapleton.

[He Hate Me]

what a shock, Grady goes to the NL LOL

[MC Hammer]

Part of me wants to blaim Grady for everything, but I just can't. I don't think he really got a fair shake. His entire career was judged by 1 decision. Granted it was a big decision, but still 1 decision out of the millions he made with the Sox.

 

The Brewers aren't really the Brewers anymore. They're spending some money now ... unlike the Pirates. If the pieces fall in place they could make a serious run at the WC next year. I think Grady would be a very good addition to a franchise that's actually building.

[stevece80]

I hope the Brewers lose every game they ever play with that boob on the bench.

 

It's absolutely amazing that people can say that Grady was judged by "one decision". First off, it wasn't a decision, as that would imply some sort of rational thought. Secondly, like death to a terminal patient, the events of the 2003 ALCS was the brain disease Grady Little had festering in that lobe in his head manifesting itself on the biggest stage of his life. If you didn't notice Grady was an absolute dolt in his two seasons with the Red Sox, you weren't paying attention.

 

I mean, maybe I should relent. Pedro losing command in the seventh (he was barely htiting any of his spots), and getting an emotional weight lifted off his shoulders by being congratulated for having his night ended after seven was on thing, I mean, most who have ever stepped on a mound know how easy it is to getting your adrenaline flowing again after you've felt like you've crossed the finish line, right? Add, to that, never mind his bullpen was lights out the entire postseason, they obviously couldn't get 5 outs without letting up 3 runs (oh, they did that once they came in the game?). I mean, Grady didn't cause Scott Williamson to get the cold sore that Grady used as reasoning to hold him out of game 7.

 

Either way, I'm glad things happened as they did because of the result the following season. No way do the Red Sox win a World Series with that f***stick as manager. I just don't ever think stupidity should ever be forgiven.