O’s coaching staff is missing something

Buck Showalter and the Orioles finalized their coaching staff recently and it took longer than expected.  I wrote a post a few weeks ago supporting the idea Showalter originally brought up, having former Orioles players being a part of the coaching staff.  There is a glaring omission from the new coaching staff however…the former Orioles players.

I felt it was a great sign that Showalter was looking to bring back the “Oriole Way” by having some former players on the coaching staff.  Showalter did not follow through on this however.  I have a problem with the fact that Showalter said he wanted to bring back the “Oriole Way”, but there didn’t seem to be any former players strongly considered for any of the vacancies.  Mike Bordick and B.J. Surhoff were rumored to be considered, but by all indications weren’t in the final running for any of the openings.

With that said guys like Mike Bordick, B.J. Surhoff, Chris Hoiles, Brady Anderson and others could have roles with the Orioles other than in uniform during games.  I still think it is a great idea to get former players involved with the team in some capacity instructing the younger players in the organization.

Besides bringing in past players, the other aspect of putting together a coaching staff for 2011 that I feel is most important is having Showalter have his say on who coaches.  This seems to be the case with the coaches that have been selected to join Showalter.

Mark Connor is the Orioles new pitching coach. He has already been Showalters pitching coach at three previous stops.  Rick Adair, the former pitching coach of the Mariners, is the Orioles new bullpen coach.  Taking over for Terry Crowley as hitting coach is former Marlins hitting coach Jim Presley.  The bench coach will be former Mets manager Willie Randolph who will also work with the infielders.  John Russell, who used to manage the Pirates, will coach third base and also work with Matt Wieters behind the plate.  Finally, coaching first base and working with the outfielders will be Wayne Kirby.  Kirby spent the past five seasons as the Texas Rangers outfielder/base running instructor.

The Orioles hired an impressive group of coaches.  The staff includes two former big league managers and the only coach with less than six seasons of coaching or managerial experience is Kirby.  In addition, Connor, Randolph, and Presley have coached for Showalter in the past.

I am disappointed that Showalter didn’t bring on any former players to coach, but he did bring in highly respected baseball minds with plenty of experience.  And maybe most importantly, Showalter hired coaches he is comfortable with.