Just saw on MLB.com that Kirk Gibson will likely join Bob Melvin‘s staff as bench coach for the Diamondbacks.
That would certainly be a good move for the morose franchise. The team took on Melvin’s sleepy demeanor and plays with little-to-no fire (Eric Byrnes not included) game in and game out.
Gibby would light a fire, I’d presume, under this team and would be the logical choice to replace Melvin, methinks, should the 2007 season go south for Arizona.
And as for the bench coach role, when did this become de rigeur? Remember when Billy Consolo was on Sparky‘s staff for years in the ’80s and we all wondered what the hell he did all day?
He didn’t coach a base, a bullpen, pitchers or hitters. Chances are, he was the prototype for today’s bench coach.
Gibby in the desert. Nice.
