MANAGER MOVES COME QUICK

It's day one of the off season, and there are just a few updates I gotta tell you about involving manager and coach personnel.  No... Joe Girardi did not get fired. Many believe he should be, but to be honest, he shouldn't be... but that's another post for another time.

The Rockies manager Walt Weiss:  First off, if you aren't familiar with Walt, he's the manager of the Rockies and he's been there for 4 years. Well, Weiss stepped down as manager.  ESPN writes:

"Walt Weiss made his way around Coors Field on Sunday to say so long to the Colorado Rockies fans for the season.

Turns out, his farewell was for good, too.

Weiss is out as Rockies manager after four seasons in charge. In a statement Monday, the team said Weiss has decided to step down."

The Diamondbacks Dave Stewart, Tony LaRussa and manager Chip Hale: Stewart was the GM for the Diamondbacks... Hale was the manager.  Well, both were fired.  According to AZCentral.com:

"The Diamondbacks, fresh off perhaps the most disappointing season in club history, cleaned house on Monday, firing General Manager Dave Stewart and manager Chip Hale and seemingly doing the same with Tony La Russa...

 (In Photo: Dave Stewart)

La Russa, a Hall of Fame manager, had never worked in a front office before the Diamondbacks put him atop their baseball operations department in May 2014. Four months later, the club hired Stewart, who hadn’t worked as an executive for 13 years."

The Marlins coach Barry Bonds: Bonds is gone.

USA Today writes: " Barry Bonds will be fired after just one season as Miami Marlins hitting coach..."

A few big names, a few teams looking to change gears.  You gotta love that.  It's the baseball off season... and it's here for crying out loud!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CHRIS MARTIN

About a month ago, there was a dynamic interview with new Yankee pitcher Chris Martin. I reprinted it here on BYB. That piece was titled CHRIS MARTIN: FROM REFRIGERATORS TO THE YANKS . I immediately went into "BYB mode" and reached out to Martin to see if he could give me an interview for the Bleeding Yankee Blue audience.  I knew it would be tough, after all, he was on his way to Spring Training for pitchers and catchers and no doubt, with a new employer, it wouldn't be easy to nail him down.

Well, luckily for the BYB readers, we have a special treat today. Chris DID make time and I am happy to say that we have an interview with Chris Martin and I wanted to share it with all of you.   Enjoy this... I certainly did...

BYB: Chris, I loved your personal story with Yahoo / AP a few weeks ago.  I was immediately drawn to your story. Tell me, where were you when you got the call that you were a New York Yankee?

Chris Martin: I was at my house, about to head to my workout when got the call. It was around 10 am.

BYB: You pitched in 16 games in 2014. Tell me what it was like pitching in Colorado for the Rockies and manager Walt Weiss?  Is it truly a tough park for pitchers as it's been described?

Chris Martin: Pitching in Denver was a challenge, but also a good learning experience.  I have a great deal of respect for Walt.  It's not easy for a manager there, because of the roller coaster ride with pitching in that ballpark.

BYB: You stand at 6'8", a big boy!  When did you notice that you were gonna be a tall kid growing up and is your height an advantage on the mound?

Chris Martin: I hit a pretty significant growth spurt between my freshman and sophomore year in high school. Being a tall pitcher has its advantages and disadvantages. But the biggest advantage is the angle tall pitchers are able to produce when coming to the plate.

BYB: Did you always want to be a baseball player?  Did you play basketball as well with your size?

Chris Martin: It was always baseball. I played basketball as a kid, but never really grew that passionate about it like I did with baseball.

BYB: Who is your favorite baseball player growing up and why were you drawn to them?

Chris Martin: Nolan Ryan!  He threw really hard, and was the ultimate competitor. I as a kid, I liked to mimic his high leg kick.

BYB: You're a New York Yankee now.  Tell me who are you looking forward to meeting most. And the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers don't want to hear "everybody". You gotta give us an answer here.  What do you say... 

Chris Martin: I envision an organization with a lot of history and class. I'm looking forward to meeting Mariano Rivera.  He was the best closer of all time in my opinion and being a reliever, I'd like to pick his brain and just learn the mental aspect of his game.

BYB: You're known for your fastball. What other pitches do you like to throw and what's your favorite pitch?

Chris Martin: Yeah, well I learned pretty quick last year that throwing hard is a plus, but you have to have a few other pitches to be successful.  This offseason, I've been focused on developing a change-up to get hitters off my fastball.

BYB: Tell the BYB audience about that conversation with Pete Incaviglia after he gunned your fastball.  I mean, the guy called the Red Sox with the snap of a finger!  You had to be impressed with yourself...

Chris Martin: He was confused on why I was at an independent ball tryout.  He actually asked me if I'd been in trouble or in jail. I explained my situation and he was like 'We'll go get you a uniform, because we need you tonight!'

 BYB: Is there any significance to wearing #61 for the Yankees?

Chris Martin:  No. That's the number that was assigned to me.

BYB: For any kids our there reading your interview right now... What is the one thing you can tell them about dreams and pushing yourself to the next level.  What's your message to them...

Chris Martin: Just that if you really set your mind to something and always believe in yourself, good things will happen!

BYB: Finally, and I know you're new to the Bronx, but I have to ask... do you ever read Bleeding Yankee Blue?  

Chris Martin: I'm sorry... No, I haven't.

Come on Chris, lie to me! I'm kidding.

Hey look, I want to thank Chris for interviewing with Bleeding Yankee Blue.  We'll be rooting for you hard this season, Chris!

We appreciate you taking the time! Good Luck!