One of Royals blogger Rany Jazayerli's skills is his ability to write really long pieces that hold your interest. Today he's posted a 3,600-letter to Royals owner David Glass about the contract extension Dayton Moore recently received.
Jazayerli's take: Moore's new deal makes sense if it allows the general manager to focus on the long-term success of the franchise. But, damn, his psychological bundle of arrogance and insecurity (reminiscent of a former president, no?) needs some work.
Virtually every person who has covered the Royals regularly this season- print, radio, TV, whatever - has been struck by just how ridiculously
thin-skinned the front office is. Which is a problem. Not
because it makes it harder for the media to do their job (it is, but
that's not a problem for anyone but us), but because a front office
that can't handle criticism is a front office that doesn't broker
dissent. It's a front office that's unwilling to admit when it's made a
mistake. It's certainly a front office that's incapable of learning
from its mistakes.
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Is Dayton Moore another Lee Thomas?
Thomas was considered a genius and the reason the Cardinals won all those pennants and World Series.
He came to the Philadelphia Phillies and became an idiot.
History repeats itself?
I attended a GenKC happy hour at the K early this summer where Dayton Moore did a Q&A after the obligatory marketing pitch from the Royals PR man (the Royals were still in first place at this point, mind you). I remember commenting to my friends that Moore came across just like W. whenever he responded to a question. He answered largely in aphorisms just like our man in Texas. For example: Question: How do the Royals plan to keep Greinke in KC for the long-term? Moore: At the end of the day, battles are won on the field. You've got to jump in to get wet.
Huh? Anyway, I remember thinking this trait does not a great leader make. Thank you, Rany, for validating my observation...and to the Royals for their outstanding record which also validates my opinion...I think.
I believe he should have written 'brook' dissent, meaning tolerate, not 'broker' dissent, which doesn't really make sense.
I hope the other 3599 words in the letter are better selected.
Exactly. Say what you will about Allard Baird; I personally think his tenure failed due to ownership moreso than his own shortcomings as a baseball man. But you can't say he was anything less than a stand-up guy.
Dayton Moore is an excuse machine. This extension simply did not have to happen this soon.
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