From the DODGERS Web Site:

“Farm director Terry Collins, in line for the manager job until general manager Paul DePodesta was dismissed, said he was not contacted about a position on Little’s coaching staff.”But I’m proud that we were able to send Rick Honeycutt and Mariano Duncan up there, because they both did good jobs,” said Collins. “The other guys on the Minor League staff see that you can get to the big leagues. These two guys sure are deserving of it.”

Collins said he still wants to return to a Major League position on the field.

“But right now I’ve got a job to do,” he said.

Collins is scrambling to fill the holes in his staff. Double-A Jacksonville coaches Kenny Howell and Steve Yeager will be promoted to pitching and hitting coaches at Triple-A Las Vegas. Jerry Royster and John Shoemaker will return as managers at Las Vegas and Jacksonville. Luis Salazar will probably move up from the Gulf Coast League to Vero Beach and replace Scott Little, who took a field coordinator job with Washington.”‘

I am not negative about Eddie Murray, but I think we need to have our eyes open to past history about him.  I find it interesting that his agent, Ron Shipiro is the father of Cleveland Indians GM, Mark Shipiro.  It appears that his firing in Cleveland was about a power struggle between him and Manager Eric Wedge.   He said, she said.

More blurbs about Murray’s Firing in Cleveland:

Associated Press - June 5, 2005 - ” The move did not come as a huge surprise. Murray is not known to seek out players to offer advice unless they come to him and ask.”

Mercury News - January 13, 2006 - “Before Murray came to Cleveland as hitting coach, he had gained a reputation for avoiding work and being dismissive of players who didn’t immediately accept his advice.”

Cleveland Plain Dealer - October 03, 2005 -“Q: What was the Indians’ record when they fired hitting coach Eddie Murray? Do you think the Indians’ improvement is coincidental? - Sol Siegel, Cleveland Heights

A: The Indians’ record was 25-29 when Murray was fired on June 5. The team was last in batting average, runs, hits and on-base percentage at the time. He was replaced by the Indians’ minor- league hitting coordinator, Derek Shelton. It would be wrong to pin the goat horns on Murray just because the club’s fortunes changed. He was being praised for his work the previous year. However, Shelton is more approachable and probably fit better into the team chemistry. Murray is a quiet, introverted fellow.”

I have no problem with Murray’s hitting philosophy - in fact, I might welcome it.  We could be a fun team to watch!  The only thing that worries me is that if he is introverted with young players, it could impede their development.  Maybe I am worried about nothing, but a strong, silent type may not always play out well… or not!

But, save a seat for me on his bandwagon!  Maybe he’ll be good for the team.

P.S. Does anyone know why Wallach left for “personal reasons?”  If it’s “personal,” maybe we aren’t supposed to know…