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With Jim Schlossnagle gone, the first order of business is finding a new head coach to lead Texas A&M baseball. Given that, I thought it was important that I break down some of the major candidates. No, not actual candidates, I’ll leave that to people who know what they’re talking about. I mean fictional coaching candidates from baseball movies. Let’s do this.
Jimmy Dugan (A League of Their Own)
Dugan has his share of demons, but he is a baseball lifer who showed that he’s willing to take a player-led approach and let them do what they do best. Also hopefully his “no crying in baseball” edict means we won’t lose in the national title game again.
Roy Hobbs (The Natural)
Recruiting is more important than ever in the college game, and that story about the bat carved from a tree that got struck by lightning will sell many a recruit.
Lou Brown (Major League)
There’s a decent chance we’ll be seeing a lot of new faces next season, and Brown has worked wonders with makeshift rosters in the past. He’s also good at winning even when others have done their best to try and torpedo the team.
George Knox (Angels in the Outfield)
Knox’s major league experience could be invaluable, and if there were ever a team that could use some of his adopted-son-assisted divine intervention, it’s the Ags.
Billy Heywood (Little Big League)
Relating to current players is key for college baseball coaches. Not only could Heywood do that, he could also do so with their younger siblings as well. Just make sure he doesn’t arrange a team screening of Night Nurses from Jersey.
Crash Davis (Bull Durham)
After seeing what he did working with Nuke Laloosh, Davis might just be the next Max Weiner. And since he believes there ought to be a Constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf, he’s extremely unlikely to end up coaching in Austin.
Brickma (Rookie of the Year)
He’s never gotten a crack at being the head man, and his approach is a bit unconventional, but he’s paid his dues and his time as come. Also his hot ice theory might be just what our training staff needs to keep players on the field
Kenny DeNunez (The Sandlot)
You probably thought this spot would go to Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez, but as is often the case, the best players don’t always make the best coaches. In the movie’s epilogue it says that DeNunez played minor league ball, so he clearly stayed plugged into the game through adulthood. Anyone with that passion for the game is a prime candidate to be our next coach.
Uchiyama (Mr. Baseball)
The success of countless Japanese players in the Major Leagues in recent decades shows that clearly the game translates from one country to another. So why would it not apply for managers? He brings a fresh approach to the game but still with an old school mentality and doing things the right way.
