Here’s what went down Friday on G&A

Will This Work? - AJ Hinch is the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks as Gambo reported here first Thursday on Sports 620 KTAR.  That was the first of a number of moves made by the organization as Bob Melvin, Rick Schu and Bryan Price are no longer coaches.  Jack Howell will step in for Schu as hitting coach and Mel Stottlemyre, JR as pitching coach after Price’s surprising resignation.  Ash supported Melvin and doesn’t feel the change will make much of a difference.  Gambo can see why the decision was made, but thinks GM Josh Byrnes had more to do with actually managing the team under Melvin than many were led to believe.  He reported that Melvin wanted to part ways with struggling reliever Jon Rauch, but Byrnes wanted no part of it.  The guys agree - no one knows if AJ Hinch will be a successful manager - including Hinch himself.

We had LIVE coverage of the Bob Melvin addressing the media at Chase Field one last time after Thursday’s news that he will no longer be the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Dave Burns anchored.

We were joined by Arizona State Director of Athletics Lisa Love.  The Sun Devil baseball team hosts Winthrop this weekend as they prepare for Regional play while the 2008 defending Champion softball team gets to host their Selection Sunday party at The Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel Sunday at 6:30.  The event is open to the public.

We also had LIVE coverage of the Diamondbacks press conference with Diamond Talk host Dave Burns anchoring from Chase Field as the Dbacks introduced new manager AJ Hinch and the rest of the coaching staff.

Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes joined the guys to talk about the decision to let go of Melvin and hire AJ Hinch.  He said he approached Hinch about a week ago about possibly becoming the 5th manager in franchise history.  He knows this will be known as an “unconventional hire,” but feels it’s what’s best for the franchise moving forward.

Our ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler joined us to discuss the Cavs convincing 20-point win over the Hawks Thursday night in Cleveland, Derek Fisher and Rafer Alston’s 1-game suspensions and how that will affect the outcome of those series.  “Legs” feels there’s more intrigue this postseason than in years past, especially in the Western Conference.  He also feels locking up Alvin Gentry to a new deal would be a smart move by Robert Sarver and Steve Kerr.

The guys caught up with new skipper A.J. Hinch. The former big league catcher says he’s looking for the challenge of motivating the younger players and hopes a new approach will help break the club’s season-long hitting slump.  He said he won’t be afraid to shake things up - even if that means stepping on some toes in the process.  He knows he must prove himself to his new team and the fans as well.

Monday we’ll be joined by Hall-of-Fame catcher Johnny Bench to preview the Reds-Dbacks series, as well as the great Darryl Strawberry

 

 Lisa Love [7:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (45)

 

 Josh Byrnes [9:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (40)

 

 Tim Legler [10:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (44)

 

 AJ Hinch [14:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (56)