Tim Belcher named the new Indians pitching coach
by Buckeye Brad on Nov 5, 2009 6:34 PM EST
122 comments
I don't have a link, but I have it from a reliable inside source that Tim Belcher has accepted the position as Indians pitching coach under Manny Acta. The team is supposed to have a press conference tonight to make the announcement. Belcher has served various roles in the Indians organization over the past few years, including spring training instructor and advanced scout. As far as I know, this will be his first job as a pitching coach. He's a former #1 overall draft choice who pitched for seven different teams from 1987-2000.
UPDATE: Cleveland.com is confirming the story. He has worked in the Indians organization for the past 8 years.
As a special assistant, Belcher worked with the Indians player development system in instructing and evaluating pitching talent at every level in the minor league system. He also scouted other teams, providing advance scouting reports for the last several years for the Tribe's big-league coaching staff.
0 recs |
122 comments
Email
Print
Comments
This is very interesting given his lack of experience as a coach. Thanks for the info, am anxious to read more about him.
by Roger Dorn on Nov 5, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Why do I have it in my head that Belcher was something of a roving minor league pitching instructor for the Tribe?
by APV on Nov 5, 2009 8:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
His official title was “Special Assistant to Baseball Operations” for the Indians. As I said above, I know he worked with the team in spring training and did some scouting for them. He could very well have worked with the minor league teams throughout the season, but I’m not sure of that.
by Buckeye Brad on Nov 5, 2009 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He lives by you, maybe you should go by his house and see if he is hiring assistants.
by Cols714 on Nov 6, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That would be awesome. Maybe he could make me Assistant to the Traveling Secretary.
by Buckeye Brad on Nov 6, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, BB, but you need to do a better job of protecting your sources, or they’re going to dry up. Just sayin’.
by ken from alexandria on Nov 5, 2009 8:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Reliable inside source? That doesn’t give anything away, does it? Unless it was edited before I saw it.
by Voltaire on Nov 5, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it was edited. It was a lot more specific before.
by JRontherim on Nov 5, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Any news about this press conference?
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Nov 5, 2009 10:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was odd that they’d announce it at night anyways, so I’m guessing it will be tomorrow.
by Buckeye Brad on Nov 5, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was kinda hoping Radinsky would get it – the young pitchers seem to really like working with him. But, there’ll be a lot of up and comers on the Columbus roster to work with, so mebbe they figured that’s where he would benefit the org the most.
For now, at least.
by mcrose on Nov 5, 2009 10:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah – still plenty of material to work with and keep him busy in our system
by APV on Nov 5, 2009 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I am skeptical that the Indians would give this job to someone with so little experience.
by Jay on Nov 5, 2009 11:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Did Farrell or Bud Black have any coaching experience before taking their ML pitching coach positions? I can’t really find much on them managing at any level in the minors but both could be considered successful pitching coaches if that is the case.
by The Grimace on Nov 6, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m just surprised they did it this year, in this situation.
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Farrell situation is different because he went to a winning team with mass amounts of cash, but Black joined Scioscia when they started in Anaheim in 2000 with a team in transition much like the Indians and had a WS ring after their third season.
by The Grimace on Nov 6, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Teehee. In 15 years of seriously watching baseball, I still can’t think of Tim Belcher’s name without chuckling.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on Nov 5, 2009 11:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Whoa.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 6, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Teeheheheheheheeee
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on Nov 6, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pronunciation aside, this is my favorite aside from Mr. Dickshot.
by The Grimace on Nov 6, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Indians tweet a confirmation. Nothing on the official site or from Castro and the gang yet.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Nov 6, 2009 9:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I must admit, I start to roll my eyes when a top qualification noted for a Tribe hire is that “he knows the organization inside and out”.
by mcrose on Nov 6, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s like saying “He knows every restaurant in Mansfield, Ohio.”
by odradek on Nov 7, 2009 8:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And, as the update at top notes, Hoynes has picked it up.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Nov 6, 2009 10:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What’s curious is the importance Shapiro placed on any potential manager having a clear idea for the pitching coach he wanted to hire. I don’t know where Acta and Belcher would have crossed paths.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Nov 6, 2009 10:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
maybe he just wanted someone who knows the pitchers well…
by Brick. on Nov 6, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
what is this “fan post” feature? part of the new formatting i presume…
by Brick. on Nov 6, 2009 10:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
is this really that bad a pick? seems like, at this point, it’s at least worthy of a “meh.”
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 12:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was expecting a meh. Leo Mazzone would have been pretty dang exciting, but I wasn’t expecting that.
by Wil Cantrell on Nov 6, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
More monoculture. I see your “meh” and raise you a hearty “Bah!”
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
given the surprising nature of this name, I’ll call your “bah” and counter-raise you a “huh?” but given that it’s a “huh?” i’m not prepared to say “grrrrr”
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great avatar – One of the all time great SNL bits.
by stuart dean on Nov 6, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll see your monocultural “Bah!” and “grrrr” and raise you a “Mangini!”
by APV on Nov 6, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The due diligence on the ol’ staff search is starting to evoke Ryan O’Neal’s casting search for Paper Moon.
by stuart dean on Nov 6, 2009 12:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Belcher may end up being a fantastic pitching coach, but if your organization has had problems developing pitchers in the past couple years, shouldn’t that discourage you from hiring a guy whose job it was to develop pitching in the minors? Why not go after a minor-league instructor from a system that’s had success developing pitchers?
by Ryan on Nov 6, 2009 12:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
which begs the question: why, then, did everyone seem ok with Radinksy?
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not everyone. There just wasn’t much point raising un-enthusiasm when there wasn’t much reason to think he was a serious candidate.
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s my question: How is this all that different than when we hired Willis?
Finally convinced my dad that Jeter is immensely hatable.
by westbrook on Nov 6, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
One perspective is that, excepting injury, we have done a good job of developing minor league pitchers. We have lots of good minor league pitchers. We have had less success at translating that minor league success to the majors. I don’t know how different those two issues are.
by APV on Nov 6, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
could have never told you that was belcher, but i do remember that “kick”
by Brick. on Nov 6, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love how the VERY FIRST COMMENT on cleveland.com totally goes nuclear with the standard tropes. “Nailed it.”
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 1:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
saw that. my eyes are burning. I told my mom I read cleveland.com comments today and she grounded me. I’m 33.
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
My favorite comment:
Please, ACTA did not pick he was ordered to have this guy put on the staff.
by Roger Dorn on Nov 6, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like when they start the sophomoric humor about his last name and somebody says we hired Dale Farter as our hitting coach. I almost laughed, then I remembered that I’m not 8 years old.
by Buckeye Brad on Nov 6, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My favorites are the supposed voices of reason who make completely empty arguments in defending the pick: “He’s an Ohio guy…”
So, then, if Mazzone was from Pittsburgh…..
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty sure Mazzone’s from West Virginia. But I guess that’s Baja Pittsburgh, so you’re more or less correct.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
by mauichuck on Nov 6, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
HA. I’m using that “Baja Pittsburgh” line all the time now.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on Nov 9, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ERIC MANGINI IS USING ACTA AS A PUPPET! Someone have security escort Acta out of Cleveland!!!!
by JRontherim on Nov 6, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not enough exclamation points.
Also! We now have a pitching coach with more big-league IP than any other coach. So there’s that. The Yankees, however, still lead the league in unearned lucre.
by FredOx on Nov 6, 2009 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mark my words: someone will use this to segue into a Dolan is Cheap rant in the Belcher thread on cleveland.com.
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I sense a little sarcasm here!
Just wondering though…do the coaches/managers salaries really ever get released unless ESPN makes a big hoopla over the hiring?
by GoTribe028 on Nov 6, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hmm
I dont know how or what to feel about this pick. I kind of wanted a guy from maybe the Giants system or even the Athletics. I dont pay much attention to go into detail but the Giants developed one hell of a staff with Lincecum and Cain. The Athletics have always produced good pitchers from Hudson to Harden.
by siejecy on Nov 6, 2009 1:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Athletics have always produced good pitchers from Hudson to Harden
If you like this logic why not keep Willis? After all he “produced” two Cy Young winners.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
by mauichuck on Nov 6, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have sense Harden and Hudson were good pitchers before they were A’s. Perhaps they got better as a result, but they seemed like “can’t miss” types coming up. Same with Lincecum and Cain.
Wait 'til next millennium!
by emd2k3 on Nov 6, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lots of guys seem like they’re “can’t miss.” The A’s didn’t miss.
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So I guess we can hang the Adam Miller fiasco on Willis? Yeah, the way things have been going, why not?
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
by mauichuck on Nov 6, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know if there’s anyone to blame, but surely there’s nobody to credit.
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Whoever created fingers. Blame that person.
Chugga-chugga chugga-chugga, Choo Choo!
by USSChoo on Nov 6, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Shoulda gone with noodly appendages.
…deleted, religion?
by Voltaire on Nov 6, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Adam Miller
OK, I’m lost.
The once and future
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Nov 6, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Adam Miller is a Ghoulardi-era shoe store that used to be on Bolivar Road.
by odradek on Nov 7, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What? right next to the Salvation Army Mission? Stacy Adams I remember – on Prospect between 6th and 9th. Adam Miller I don’t recall.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
by mauichuck on Nov 7, 2009 10:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They sold nothing but pointy-toed shoes.
by odradek on Nov 8, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats exactly what i mean
The A’s dont miss the cant miss guys. When we’re drafting pitchers at the likes of Jeremy Sowers in the first round with our top pick then something is wrong. Not only do they not miss on these guys but they do a heck of a good job developing them.
by siejecy on Nov 7, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point. We should only draft can’t miss guys.
by gte619n on Nov 7, 2009 10:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why didn’t we think of this prior to this very moment? Wail and repent, for the salvation of the Indians is at hand.
by fwembt on Nov 8, 2009 12:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Someone should copyright this before some shameless teams steal the idea.
by stuart dean on Nov 8, 2009 8:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
(just because somebody is required to say it)
Can’t-miss pitchers are the new market inefficiency!
by Jay on Nov 8, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
(just because somebody is required to say it)
Are you talking to me or Shapiro?
Finally convinced my dad that Jeter is immensely hatable.
by westbrook on Nov 8, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Crap! I was hoping for Leo Mazzone. It’s that tightwad Dolan again, idinit?
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
by mauichuck on Nov 6, 2009 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Belcher is working for about $45 this next season. He’s also manning the Panini’s Cam.
Wait 'til next millennium!
by emd2k3 on Nov 6, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Uh oh. I’d like to go on record stating my complete and total indifference to this hire.
by gte619n on Nov 6, 2009 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
so can we put you down for a “meh?”
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mine is not indifference but rather not enough information to have an opinion.
by Roger Dorn on Nov 6, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this.
Finally convinced my dad that Jeter is immensely hatable.
by westbrook on Nov 6, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If you were indifferent, you should not have been able to post. Unless of course, you were acutely indifferent…
by stuart dean on Nov 6, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I got you man. Bookmarked and everything.
LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.
by Joe. on Nov 6, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope he’s good. With pitchers and stuff.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Nov 6, 2009 3:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
OK, they should never have reversed the buttons. I almost flagged Tim the Enchanter.
The once and future
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Nov 6, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He also scouted other teams, providing advance scouting reports for the last several years
glad someone else will be doing this now. i’ve been saying for months the biggest problem with the recent team was advance scouting. i’m at least a teeny bit serious.
by Brick. on Nov 6, 2009 4:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure he wasn’t the only one.
LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.
by Joe. on Nov 6, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tony Lastoria has a lot of quotes on this hire
by APV on Nov 6, 2009 9:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is from Mark Shapiro, my emphasis added:
Chris and I all reaching out to people in the industry that we have good relationships with and trust to determine who we thought could be difference making pitching coaches.
by APV on Nov 6, 2009 9:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why does this make me uneasy?
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
by mauichuck on Nov 6, 2009 9:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Probably the same reason it makes me uneasy. The Indians front office are all made of smart guys, but they all know they are smart guys…despite managing a very unsuccessful roster. I’d like to hear that they are seeking as many outside voices as possible.
by APV on Nov 6, 2009 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Acta suggests (and Hoynes reports) that a lot of teams have wanted Belcher as a pitching coach over the last few years, but he hadn’t been willing to commit the time away from his family before now. I don’t know if he felt the time was right now, or if the fact that he’ll be based in Cleveland is what made the difference.
This is consistent with the fact that he was a major leaguer throughout the 90’s, which means that, unlike prior generations of players, Belcher is already a multi-millionaire. He doesn’t need a job, and he isn’t going to take a full-time position unless he really wants one.
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 9:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have no problem with hiring Belcher – he sounds fine. I just have become tuned in to comments from Shapiro that reinforce the impression that he thinks he is really smart. I should say, I think Shapiro is smart…but people who think they are smart can smart themselves into corners.
by APV on Nov 6, 2009 10:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I cannot for the life of me understand why Shapiro wouldn’t be questioning his “method” by now. How can you rationalize going from a WS contender to the bottom 10% of Major League Baseball in only two years and still think you’re “smart” about the game?
My best case scenario would be Shapiro bringing in a guy like Mazzone to at least evaluate or instruct. Maybe see if Peters has the energy to help him with the scouting/drafting – but something, anything but the same approach looking for better results.
It all maybe moot anyway. I believe that if Dolan doesn’t see some real improvement next year – a low possibility in my opinion – Shapiro’ll be headed to join Wedge in the 2010 off-season.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
by mauichuck on Nov 6, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How can you rationalize going from a WS contender to the bottom 10% of Major League Baseball in only two years and still think you’re "smart" about the game?
Because you know the saying, you’re never as good … and never as bad … etc.
Probably makes more sense to look at it in terms of a rolling average.
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You maybe right. My model is three-four years of awfulness – while the kids mature – followed by 1-2 years of contention – followed by one WS Championship, blow it all up – cuz we won’t have the cash to sign the guys who got us to the WS – and start all over again. So it’s last place, last place, fourth, third, play-offs (first round loss), play-offs (second round loss), WS Championship, rinse, repeat. Over the course of the cycle we’re a little above average.
What I don’t want is third, third, third, third on infinitum.
Same average, but in my scenario we at least end up with a championship.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
by mauichuck on Nov 6, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My model isn’t that different from yours, and I agree that the “existential threat” to our hope and faith is how far short the Shapiro Indians have fallen not just of a championship, but of that model.
by Jay on Nov 6, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This should be a bright shade of green.
by supermarioelia on Nov 6, 2009 11:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that Belcher wouldn’t have taken this job anywhere but in Cleveland (or maybe Cincinnati). I don’t know if other teams have offered him a job, but I know that he hasn’t wanted to be away from his family for a full season. He was obviously away from home a lot during his playing career and I know he enjoyed being around his family more over the past 9 years. He still lives in the area where he grew up and his kids go to school right down the road from his house. But Cleveland is only about 2 hours away so he can still go home on off days during the season.
My guess is that he’s stayed in the Indians organization waiting for this job to open up. Maybe Shapiro even told him that he’d be a candidate the next time the team was looking for a new pitching coach so he decided to wait for his opportunity.
by Buckeye Brad on Nov 7, 2009 12:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He just said he values the opinion of people he has a good relationship with and trusts. It’s certainly possible to feel that way about someone who doesn’t always agree with you or isn’t inside your circle. I didn’t take this to mean he went to his yes men.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Nov 7, 2009 8:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
because everybody here, myself included, reads way too much into everything.
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
are you trying to say that everyone reads too much into you?
by Brick. on Nov 9, 2009 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This joke is now as old as the GREAT NEWS for [[deleted, politics]]
by Voltaire on Nov 10, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t like this. I hoped that the Acta hire would expand that circle. So it wasn’t just guys that Antonetti and Shapiro had a good and trusting relationship. I hoped that guys Acta trusted would be considered, maybe guys that Antonetti and Shapiro didn’t know or wouldn’t have otherwise considered.
Hopefully that is the case with the rest of the hires. But as this was the most important of those non-Manager positions, I’m a little disappointed.
by Ryan Kelsey on Nov 7, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
reply FAIL. this belongs way up the chain. i screwed up. damned scotch.
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
by Ockus_NYC on Nov 6, 2009 10:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Sweet Baboo
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
