National crisis: Ready for the future?
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6762966
There's no getting around it: A lot of people in baseball don't like
Nationals general manager Jim Bowden. A lot of people wonder how the heck he
keeps his job.
The problem is not Bowden's ability to be a GM — he pulls off one-sided
trades, drafts top amateurs such as third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and charms
reporters and owners alike.
The problem, according to his critics, is Bowden's unpredictable nature. He
can be kind and loyal one moment, impulsive and threatening the next.
To those critics, the Nationals will remain unstable as long as Bowden is GM
— a notion disputed by club president Stan Kasten, who remains supportive of
Bowden both publicly and privately.
Though Bowden's contract status is not known, the relationship between Kasten
and Bowden already has lasted longer than many predicted when Kasten assumed
his position last May 3.
Kasten might have little choice in the matter: Bowden, according to
major-league sources, endeared himself to principal owner Mark Lerner, son of
managing principal owner Ted Lerner, before Kasten entered the equation.
Still, the Nationals seem dedicated to making their delicate but potentially
dynamic management team work.
"It's fair to say, within the sport that Jim is something of a controversial
figure," says Kasten, the Braves' former president. "I have many friends in
this business who are close to me who are not fans of Jim. Who were surprised
that I kept Jim.
"Some of that was just knee-jerk thinking: 'Jim is different from (Braves GM)
John Schuerholz. He must not be Stan's kind of guy.' That, in and of itself,
was kind of a silly conclusion for people to jump to. The truth is, John is
one of my closest friends. But John and I are very different.
"Many of Jim's critics when they choose to criticize him will go to stylistic
criticisms rather than substantive. Jim and I have talked long about things
like that, about how he wants to be perceived, what he would like to
accomplish in the game.
"I think even on stylistic matters, one could say that Jim has had some good
progress, at least since I've been working with him. Since last May, I think
he gets high marks."
Kasten's time reference is significant — Bowden was charged with driving
under the influence of alcohol last April in Miami Beach. He pleaded not
guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 21.
Since his arrest, Bowden mostly has steered free of controversy. The
exception came after his former team, the Reds, accused him of trading them
an injured pitcher, right-hander Gary Majewski.
The Reds have until July 13, the one-year anniversary of the deal, to file a
grievance. They have yet to do so, according to major-league sources.
"I think I've matured a lot," Bowden says. "Stan's been a really good
influence since he's been here, especially in terms of patience and analysis
and doing things a different way."
Still, Bowden remains a polarizing figure, particularly to those who have
left the Nationals, either by the club's choice or their own.
"Jim tries to lead through intimidation," says Brent Strom, the Nationals'
former minor-league pitching coordinator. "Different viewpoints aren't really
considered."
Strom has been out of baseball since getting fired by the Nationals at the
start of the 2006 season. His opinion, however, is shared by other former
Nationals employees who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Kasten bristles at the suggestion that the uncertainty over Bowden's contract
status is an issue. Some former employees, however, say that Bowden could not
properly support them when he was fighting for his own job.
Both Kasten and Bowden deny that charge, Kasten labeling it "a joke."
"I back all the people below me," Bowden says.
Potential cliques, however, exist within the Nationals' power structure.
Bowden is close to assistant GM Bob Boone and special assistant Jose Rijo.
The team's other assistant GM, Mike Rizzo, was the new ownership's group
first significant hire — and, in the opinion of some, Kasten's choice to
eventually succeed Bowden as GM.
But such divisions, if they exist, are not readily apparent.
The structure, as Bowden sees it, is almost ideal. Kasten, 55, helps guide
Bowden, 45. Rizzo, 46, does the same for scouting director Dana Brown, 40.
Boone, 59, is a mentor for farm director Bobby Williams, 29.
"There's no agendas here," Rizzo says. "You leave your ego at the door when
you come in this room. We talk about the best player for the Washington
Nationals. Not about Dana Brown, Bob Boone, Jim Bowden, Mike Rizzo. It's all
about the Washington Nationals. We've got one thing in mind: Win. Win as fast
as we can. And sustain it as long as we can."
Only time will tell if the arrangement will work to everyone's satisfaction,
but the Nationals will have few excuses if they fail to emerge as a
powerhouse in the NL East.
Several things must change for that evolution to occur:
The Lerner group must get rapidly up to speed on the business of baseball.
Kasten must clarify Bowden's contract status, eliminating it as a source of
distraction.
Bowden must develop into a strong, effective leader, unifying his
organization rather than dividing it.
The front office must stay the player-development course, trading marketable
veterans for talented youngsters and proceeding slowly in free agency.
The Nationals' new ballpark opens next season. Their major-league payroll
could double. Their home city, a leading international center, will provide
numerous advantages.
They have every reason to succeed.
Now they must do it.
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