A’s Tack On 2 More Years of BoMel

It seems fitting since I just wrote about leadership on the Athletics.  I was talking about within the players, but no one is more important than A’s skipper Bob Melvin.  For fans of Melvin (which is everybody) today brought good news as the Athletics announced a 2 year extension of his contract, which now lasts through the 2016 season.  Sometimes it just feels right, and when Bob Melvin was hired to replace Bob Geren in 2011 it just felt perfect.  As much as Bob Geren felt wrong all that time, Melvin felt right.

Oct 7, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin (6) during the national anthem before game two of the 2012 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The 2012 AL Manager of the Year will be in the fold for the foreseeable future now and I couldn’t be happier for him, or for myself as one who follows the Oakland Athletics on a daily basis.  Melvin is a perfect combination of leadership and structure at the top, and willingness to work with the players and be a true “player’s manager.”  The road he had to travel last season to the AL West title was an extremely difficult one, with many obstacles that would have seemed impossible to an average manager.  But the 2-time MoY proved he can guide a team through anything.

As we prepare to embark on the long and winding journey that will be the 2013 season, it’s extremely reassuring to know that we’ll have the pleasure of watching Bob Melvin lead this team for at least 4 more seasons and hopefully many more.  The immediate future for this team is very bright, Billy Beane and Bob Melvin know it, and they’re doing everything they can to maximize this opportunity.  Things are only just beginning to get good.