While teams like the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, and Detroit Tigers clinching their respective divisions, the A’s are left on the side of the road wondering about what went wrong in 2011. Oakland’s injury woes continued again this year, a prominent theme apparently for this organization, as did the team’s inconsistencies on offense.

Since being derailed during the first half of the season, the A’s, under Bob Melvin, have tried to find positives in a very disappointing season. Melvin, who replaced Bob Geren in June, has definitely tried very hard to instill a positive attitude in the A’s clubhouse. As a reward of his valiant efforts, Melvin has been given a three-year extension.

Since arriving, Melvin has shown that his leadership skills far exceed that of his predecessor, and players have taken a liking to Melvin’s approach to the game. For a young team like Oakland, strong leadership is key to the team’s continual growth and development, and Melvin is definitely the right guy for the job.  (more…)