La Russa: GM Dave Stewart addressed D-backs players about Chip Hale
Jul 27, 2016, 10:51 AM | Updated: 11:28 am
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale walks to the mound during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 10, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
There has been an air of uncertainty surrounding the Arizona Diamondbacks and manager Chip Hale this past week.
Rumors surfaced Friday that the D-backs were considering a managerial change in the midst of a disappointing season.
Diamondbacks’ General Manager Dave Stewart and Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa were asked about the rumors in the days that followed, and neither ever flat out denied they weren’t at least considering a change, but instead tried to take responsibility for the rough campaign by saying everybody is responsible.
La Russa joined Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Wednesday, and said that a member from the front office had to do the unusual and address the players about the manager.
“I think the other day Dave (Stewart) did say something to them because there were all these rumors about what was happening with Chip, but I have — I remember calling guys like (former St. Louis Cardinals GM) Walt Jocketty and (President of Baseball Operations for the Boston Red Sox) Dave Dombrowski, guys that I know, (New York Mets General Manager) Sandy Alderson,” La Russa said.
“It’s absolutely inappropriate for the owner or the president, CEO, or the general manager or the CBO to come down there and attempt to rally the troops in my opinion, because all that does is just send a message that you don’t think the guys that are leading you, the manager [and] the coaches, are adequate. So we would never do it in that vain. I think Stew said something to try to have the guys understand the wackiness of those couple of days.”
In what is now a 41-59 Diamondbacks team, Hale has recorded a 120-142 record in his year-and-a-half as the manager.
The D-backs are now 18 games back of the NL West Division-leading San Francisco Giants, and are 13 games back of a Wild Card spot.
But don’t expect La Russa to go into the locker room and try to get the guys motivated until the end of the season.
“I have not (addressed the team). I think that would be a rare, exceptional situation,” La Russa said.
