Athletics (Sacramento) manager Mark Kotsay perfectly fits the prototype of a player’s manager. At any moment, he might be interchangeably engaged in constructive dialogue, either one-on-one or in small groups, with super-talented young Athletics players. Or, he could be feeding his competitive instincts by trying to hose a 4-seamer past Brent Rooker in the cage.
Perhaps he’ll pick up one of JJ Bleday’s shiny new torpedo bats and challenge the center fielder to a contact contest against flamethrower closer Mason Miller. Mark Kotsay might be years removed from his distinguished, 17-year MLB playing career. Still, his fundamental skills remain intact and will always translate towards a player-first managerial approach. He commands respect from his players, the media, and the fan base at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento and Northern California.
The lasting message and aura surrounding the college baseball legend and MLB standout is that respect is mutual and that his role is to influence a lifelong love of teaching and learning in baseball. The old guard, top-down autocratic approach does not exist in the Athletics clubhouse.
The results are that MLB prognosticators and experts are beginning to eat their words and scrap their predictions for this team. Kotsay has built a real contender in the American League West through his almost ego-less approach to the managerial role.
In the American League Central, Tigers manager AJ Hinch is quite a few years ahead of Kotsay in terms of experience and success rate. Beginning at age 34, Hinch would have had to apply an assertive and direct approach to capture the attention and get the most output from Arizona Diamondbacks players who were often the same age, or older than him.
While in Houston, part of the former six-year MLB catcher’s assigned tall order was to manage the egos of the star-studded roster. He also had to maintain his integrity through a major controversy. A scandal whereby he easily could have issued incriminating statements, taken out of context, or thrown players under the bus. After winning the controversial 2017 World Series with a stacked Houston Astros team, Hinch took his repercussions and suspensions in stride, moving on, rather than inflaming the situation.
Similarly to Kotsay, Hinch would shift to more of a teacher role, by taking the managerial job in Detroit. The task was to rebuild a Tigers team that had become entirely disconnected from the idea of success and winning. Future first-ballot Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera needed his reps as significant milestone statistical numbers were gradually approaching. Hinch’s initial task in this role was to develop relationships with a young, talented core of players while embracing the celebratory atmosphere directed towards Cabrera.
Hinch, a legendary college player in his own right at Stanford, would sometimes strap on the catcher’s gear in the bullpen and receive some of MLB’s best stuff from Tarik Skubal or Reese Olson. Alternatively, he could be throwing BP and reminding slugger Kerry Carpenter of how well he feasts on anything kee-high on the inside part of the plate.
Like fine wine, Hinch’s way of creating a growth mindset among his players has become more natural and flawless. The Tigers are a core group of young players who believe in themselves. When combined with veteran acquisitions who seem willing to check their egos at the door, Hinch appears to have buy-in from everyone around him. The Tigers are a force, poised to go well beyond the ALCS in 2025.
As many as three-quarters of MLB players came from one of the country’s many NCAA and JUCO baseball programs. Both AL skippers’ incredible college playing accomplishments are not lost on those in the MLB community. Those old enough to remember can still envision Smashing Pumpkins blaring on the loudspeaker at Goodwin Field at Cal State Fullerton.
The scene would send chills down the spine of any baseball purist, as Mark Kotsay would show off his arm in outfield pre-game drills. Or in the closer role, the left-hander would run in from the ‘pen to shut the door on another Titans win, as a packed house of partying coeds cheered him on.
The unanimous Golden Spikes winner in 1995 helped to lead Fullerton to its 1995 College World Series Championship. Like fellow Golden Spikes winner (1992) and current MLB manager Phil Nevin, Kotsay took his game to another level under the tutelage of legendary coach Augie Garrido.
AJ Hinch was equally as recognized in college circuits as Kotsay, and at virtually the same time. His NorCal counterpart was already a field boss at Stanford and was seen as one of the top prospects in the Nation. Playing four years at the prestigious Pac-10 (now ACC) private institution, Hinch graduated with a degree in psychology. If there were a bench boss who could understand a clubhouse’s nuances and shifting dynamics, it would be AJ Hinch.
Hinch’s approach might appear more top-down than Kotsay’s, but that has never been the image he wishes to project. Players’ thoughts, opinions, and input are valued and factored into a constructive plan. Sound bites where Hinch reems out a pitcher on the mound, like Tommy Lasorda, are so alien to his innate being that it would be viewed as some dramatized practical joke if he were to engage in such an exchange. He is a baseball lifer, but at the end of the day, he is one of the guys.
AJ Hinch and Mark Kotsay are ’90s college baseball legends. In terms of storied MLB careers, Kotsay hit the mark in some sense, while Hinch probably fell short of his high expectations. The managerial piece is the new chapter that will further solidify their respective legacies in the game. They set the standard as the ideal player’s manager and the fixture from which a young ballclub can build into a World Series contender.
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