Interesting that he says “we don’t want to put too much pressure on Brantley” in regard to the leadoff spot. Reading that one way, its sounds like its assumed that Brantley makes the opening day roster.

It took me only 2 minutes into the video and I already felt good. Manny Acta, I love you already, please do good things. Please?

Me like. Especially the set lineup part.

Acta was with Les for the whole hour. At one point he even mentioned Jeanmar Gomez! At the end, in regard to Spring training competition for the rotation, he referred to the “Hector Rondon types” that may start the season in the bigs with a strong spring. I’m so pleased we have multiple Hector Rondons in the system! Problem solved.

So far, the most refreshing thing was his plainspoken responses. He’s not very eloquent, but it’s better than the last guy’s cliche-ridden corporate-style doublespeak that sidestepped the question and usually ended up with the declaration that “We just need to go out there and grind.”

Acta will be on Alll Bets Are Off on STO today. Loudtalker Bruce Drennan will be yelling questions in Acta’s direction, but they will not likely elicit as insightful answers as Les’s show yesterday.

Acta came off sharp and honest. Hopefully the feeling never goes away, but I’m going to try and enjoy this honeymoon period while it lasts.

I don’t think he said anything Eric Wedge wouldn’t have said. He just said it with more enthusiasm.

That was the first time I had seen Acta in a longer interview. He seemed very comfortable, honest, and confident it want he wants to do and how to go about doing it. I also like the fact that he is bilingual. It left a good first impression. Hopefully the players feel the same way.

When he first mentions JP with that extended shrug, that’s the essence of JP.

Les again with the idiotic “strikeouts out of the leadoff spot” comment.

Still waiting for someone to explain to me why that’s a problem.

I dunno, I can’t explain it, but there’s something I like about him. Let’s go, Acta!

Acta just continues to impress. I agree with JP_Frost that every interview he’s been in thus far seems solid. He’s got me excited about this team – which is quite amazing considering how horrible they looked in August and September. Funny, same players – completely different perspective. How many days until Spring Training starts?

I never paid much attention to him when he was with the Nats (despite him being local here). I feel really good about having him as manager (FWIW).

Acta talks like he’s been with the organization for five years. In every interview I’ve seen, he’s been impressive.

As much as I have dogged on Manny, I am starting to back some of his ideas that I have read in the paper or heard during interviews like these. I think he really does recognize where we are as an organization and the things that have been down falls for us, the bad starts, poor pitching performances etc… I also like his knowledge of our young talent considering the fact that he was in the NL last year and nowhere near Columbus. I also like that he isn’t going to put a lot of pressure on the team to “GRIND IT OUT” rather letting the guys play loose and relaxed. The only thing I don’t like is that he uses injuries as a reason that Cleveland has been a disappointment and that Jhonny Peralta is a great player with a lot of talent that he will bring out and become very good baseball player. Maybe I am going crazy but, I am starting to back your guys opinions about Acta and I think he was probably the best man for this job.

FYI: Acta is doing yet another interview, this time with Tom Hamilton on WTAM @ 8 tonight.