Yuku free message boards

Blogger claims Yost to be fired

By Tom Haudricourt

Monday, May 19 2008, 04:57 AM

Boston - Somebody named the "Badger Blogger," who I am told does mainly political postings (I must admit I'm not familiar with the site) posted a blog late Sunday night claiming manager Ned Yost will be relieved of his duties on the team's off day in Pittsburgh today.

The blog said it could not "independently confirm" the information but said sources close to the Brewers' organization said Yost would be fired today and replaced by bench coach Ted Simmons.

The blog said "in the midst of another horrid road trip and on the heels of a sweep by the Boston Red Sox," the decision had been made to replace Yost. It says switching to Simmons "will provide the direction and leadership this team has been so badly lacking."

Well, first off, I have no idea how much credibility this blogger would have regarding the Brewers. It's easy to say "sources close to the Brewers' organization" said it would happen, but are those sources credible?

Owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin were on hand for the the three-game series against Boston, during which the Brewers did not play well. It's possible that Attanasio didn't like what he saw and decided a change was necessary but he has given no indication recently he was leaning in that direction.

Whether those sources told "Badger Blogger" Yost was going to be canned after Ryan Braun spoke out about the team not expecting to win, I don't know. Braun's comments, which I posted on my blog last night and have in the JS this morning certainly were condemning of the team's approach to that series. And, by inference, it might be considered an indictment about the way Yost had the team prepared to play.

I don't know if a 20-24 record, five straight losses and a last-place standing before Memorial Day is enough to get Yost punted. I would think Braun's comments would be more damning, and possibly the straw that broke the camel's back.

What makes me a bit suspicious of that posting is saying that Simmons would replace Yost. I've never considered Simmons the primary candidate to be the team's interim manager. I've always thought Dale Sveum would be a more logical choice because he's been with the organization longer and has previous managerial experience in Pittsburgh's farm system.

Simmons has been with the club only a couple of months. Yes, he is considered a very smart baseball man, but I'm not sure he'd even want to manage. I broached the subject with him in spring training and he said he never would have taken the job as bench coach if Yost perceived him as a threat.

So, I have no idea if there's any legitimacy whatsoever to "Badger Blogger's" post about Yost. A lot of stuff gets tossed onto the Internet with no validity whatsoever.

But, I thought I'd throw the info out there for your consumption. The only thing that makes me think there could be an iota of truth to it is what Braun had to say after the game. He certainly did Yost no favors with his comments, which he obviously felt needed to be said. No other player made such comments but Braun just signed an eight-year, $45 million contract and obviously has some clubhouse power.