Susan Slusser: Problems with Ken Macha, now no longer with the A's

Reported officially that Ken Macha will not return to the A's. Susan reported this morning about specific player problems with Macha along with those of various "officials." From the SF Chronicle:

• "Now, it is possible that Macha has managed his last game with the A's, according to team sources. The primary reasons: Macha's problems communicating with players, along with what injured players have described as a callous attitude toward them."

• Macha has had issues with players in the past, including outfielders Terrence Long, Adam Piatt and Chris Singleton, as well as former batting coach Thad Bosley and former pitching coach Rick Peterson. This year, Macha had differences of opinion with outfielders Jay Payton and Mark Kotsay and reliever Scott Sauerbeck.

  Toward the end of the season, one member of the starting lineup was openly critical of Macha in the clubhouse. By the final weekend of the regular season, another prominent member of the team had joined in the criticism.

• Several players went so far as to take their complaints to Beane, telling him they did not want to return to the club if Macha remained as manager, according to sources.

Macha has upset several players over the course of the season with his reaction to injuries. When Joe Kennedy and Rich Harden were on the disabled list, he referred to them as "non-entities." Asked if he was concerned about Bobby Crosby's back injury affecting the shortstop's future, Macha responded that he hoped Crosby is back next year and can play 150 games, "but if he can't, someone else will."

• There is some thought within the organization that Macha might not be fired -- he might choose to resign, instead. He has not been comfortable working under Beane and some of his close friends have worried about how unhappy he has seemed in his current job, despite the success of the club."

From Susan Slusser's article, SF Chronicle, 10/16/06

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