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| Photo by Scott Paulus/Milwaukee Brewers. |
Ron Roenicke is like Will Rogers, only in reverse.
Good ol’ Will famously never met a man he didn’t like. Roenicke, it seems, has never met one who didn’t like him.
The man who admittedly doesn’t like talking about himself has people lining up to do it for him. And they’re painting a picture of Gandhi in spikes.
Go ahead. Try finding harsh words about the new Brewers manager and you’ll be in a race to the end of the Internet. In a sporting world fueled by vitriol and venom, Roenicke’s rep looks cleaner than an “Osmond Family Christmas.” The worst criticism I found was people wondering if he was too nice. As if his path to perfection requires cutting off some cars in traffic.
Nothing you read about Roenicke will be more heartfelt than Brewers broadcaster Brian Anderson’s story of his personal, familial experience with Roenicke. And you won’t find a more complimentary quote about Roenicke than Anderson’s declaration in this story that “He’s a baseball Tony Dungy.” Unless someone has since trumped that by comparing Ron to Tim Tebow.
Then there’s how Roenicke responded to the Nick Adenhart tragedy in Anaheim, complete with effusive praise from Scott Boras.
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| Photo by Scott Paulus/Milwaukee Brewers. |
The hiring has been praised by players in the Anaheim clubhouse (“He’s the guy I go to when I’m struggling,” said Torii Hunter.) and writers for the Los Angeles Times (“Let’s hear it for one of the good guys…”). Rays skipper Joe Maddon could be Roenicke’s agent. And if Doug Melvin helped pack outgoing manager Ken Macha’s car, then he’ll probably unload moving vans for Ron.
Even the people who are supposed to dislike him just can’t bring themselves to do so. FireRonRoenicke.com consists of one page and 11 words:” Fire Ron Roenicke! Just kidding (for now…) Welcome to Milwaukee, Ron!” The first statement from @FireRonRoenicke on Twitter? “Just relaxing, enjoying nothing to complain about. Yet.”
What’s not to like about a man who introduces himself to Milwaukee with self-deprecation that would make Uecker proud. Before his hiring, much was made of Roenicke’s underdog status among four finalists for the Brewers gig. “My wife’s been on the Internet a lot,” Roenicke said right after donning his new Brewers jersey, “so I have two new nicknames: Darkhorse and Number Four.” To which I’ll humbly add Mr. Nice Guy.
The most amazing thing? I believe it. They’re telling me he’s passionate and compassionate, a great listener and a baseball whiz, and I believe all of it. And while no pictures have surfaced of Roenicke plugging BP oil wells or rescuing Chilean miners, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.
Frankly, I’m thrilled the Brewers found him. I think Roenicke really is this great human being who genuinely cares about whomever he meets. I’m convinced he could be the great communicator who not only builds bridges to Braun and Fielder, but also designs a new Hoan between innings. I’m sure his promises of an aggressive baseball style will keep players engaged and fans entertained. And he may even keep the media laughing with his honest, homespun wit.
So does all of it automatically translate into on-field success? Not by a long shot.
Folks said Wade Phillips is one of the greatest guys in the NFL. Only he’s not in the NFL anymore because the Cowboys just fired him.
And Tom Trebelhorn was, by all accounts, a heckuva guy, too. “Trebelhorn is not just interested in winning, but making people better,” Don Sutton proclaimed in a 1987 Milwaukee Magazine feature. But Treb never got the Brewers above third place in his 819 games in charge of the club.
I can’t guarantee Roenicke will win with the Brewers. Nobody can. But all you can ask of a manager is to get the best from the players he’s given, and I’d wager a carload of cash he’ll do that. Because if he’s half as good as everyone says he is, how do you not play your best for him every minute of every game?
Players play for a lot of reasons these days. Money. Championships. Fame. Competitive fire. Each other. But rarely, very rarely, do they honestly play for the guy in the manager’s office. And Roenicke might be the exception.
“I want to know what they’re all about,” Roenicke said. “I want to know how they’re doing off the field. I want to know how their families are. I want to know how their kids are. I want to know about them.”
And if a man cares that much about them, how could they not care about what they give him in return? How could they know what Roenicke is about, look him in the eye and not give their best effort?
I’m betting they can’t, and that’s half the battle.
Milwaukee should love this guy. After all, everyone else does.
Nutshells
–Andrew Wagner of OnMilwaukee.com details how Bucks players are starting to sound frustrated with the season’s poor start. And in this case, frustration is good. They’re better than this, and they know it, and they clearly care about it. Now all they have to do is fix it.
–The Packers beat the Cowboys so bad that it got their head coach fired. And Aaron Nagler of CheeseheadTV.com explains why nobody’s shedding tears for Jerry Jones’ troubles.
–Former UW-Milwaukee coach Bruce Pearl was already having a bad year at Tennessee, and it just got worse. Being ranked 20th in preseason polls wasn’t enough to keep the Volunteers from losing to Division II Indianapolis. Yikes.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter, where I tweet as howiemag. And tune in every Tuesday morning at 6:30 when I join Doug Russell and Mike Wickett on SportsRadio 1250 AM for Tuesdays with Howie.
