2045 Issue 2 Mumbai Mirror
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:02 am
Interview with Metro Stars GM Rich Young
by Vihaan Dara
Metro Stars beat writer
As I am escorted into the office of the new Stars GM, I see Young with brows furrowed repeatedly stabbing an index finger into the keyboard of his laptop and cursing mildly under his breath. On his desk I see a small stack of books among a litter of papers and folders. The two I can read are Veeck As In Wreck, a Bill Veeck autobiography and A Discussion On the Intricacies of Musk Ox Husbandry.“ Please sit down. Sorry I am having computer issues. I am sure the IT department is tired of me already.” Young says with a chuckle. “Please go ahead.”.
VD – So how are you enjoying Mumbai? Are you settled in yet?
RY – Oh it's great. I haven't had time to really enjoy all the city has to offer yet but I am excited by the prospect of it. I can't wait to see the Elephanta Caves. I love history. I am also an avid mall walker and I am enjoying my strolls in the Raghuleela Mega Mall.
VD – Many are saying you aren't qualified for this position given your previous experiences. Others would say your involvement in a number of businesses will distract you from doing the job well. What would you say to those skeptics?
RY – I understand the suspicion and I can't really convince them all. The bottom line is I am here now and I would only ask them to give me the benefit of the doubt while we get to work on bringing a championship to Mumbai.
VD - You cleaned house on the coaching staff, replacing Roberto Torres who was popular with the players as well as the hitting and pitching coaches. What went into that decision?
RY – It's really not a knock on Roberto or the rest of the staff. We had some personnel in our system that I felt was a better fit in this particular situation. We figure to have a high volume of young players in key roles over the next couple of seasons or more and Gula, Orlando and George all have strong developmental and teaching skills. They also benefit from having coached a lot of these guys in the minors and already have good relationships with them. I also think Gula's ability to take data and analysis and transfer that into in game decision making is at a high level.
VD – The off season so far has been fairly quiet with no big splashes as far as trades or signings. Are you set with the team as is as you head towards spring training?
RY – Well we are always looking for opportunities to improve the team but I don't anticipate any major moves at this point. We have some established guys who we are happy with and some young guys that need playing time to develop and see what we have. That said, I feel like this is competitive team and our goal is the playoffs.
VD – I am going to throw a few names at you and just give me your thoughts if you will?
VD - Donald Little?
RY – Great guy. Super smart. Great owner. Hires guys and let's them do their job without interference. Committed to winning.
VD – Dan Jackson?
RY – Solid ball player. Heart of the team. Tireless work ethic. Easy guy to root for.
VD – Ronald Eglington?
RY – Exciting young pitcher. Has a very high ceiling. Coachable and smart.
VD – Matthew Hewat?
RY – Great bat to ball skills. Very good hands and feet at short. Potential multi-year all star.
VD – Just one more question but this wasn't on my list. Why the book on Musk Ox husbandry?
RY – Oh that. Well I am a part owner of a musk ox ranch in Finland. Fascinating animals. You can tell a lot about a musk ox by looking it in the eye. Sometimes there's a connection, an understanding of some kind...(his face becomes more pensive) sometimes though... you just see your own distorted image reflected back to you in the watery mirror of a cold, black indifferent universe.
VD – Umm...well thanks and good luck this year.
RY – Thank you.
As I am escorted into the office of the new Stars GM, I see Young with brows furrowed repeatedly stabbing an index finger into the keyboard of his laptop and cursing mildly under his breath. On his desk I see a small stack of books among a litter of papers and folders. The two I can read are Veeck As In Wreck, a Bill Veeck autobiography and A Discussion On the Intricacies of Musk Ox Husbandry.“ Please sit down. Sorry I am having computer issues. I am sure the IT department is tired of me already.” Young says with a chuckle. “Please go ahead.”.
VD – So how are you enjoying Mumbai? Are you settled in yet?
RY – Oh it's great. I haven't had time to really enjoy all the city has to offer yet but I am excited by the prospect of it. I can't wait to see the Elephanta Caves. I love history. I am also an avid mall walker and I am enjoying my strolls in the Raghuleela Mega Mall.
VD – Many are saying you aren't qualified for this position given your previous experiences. Others would say your involvement in a number of businesses will distract you from doing the job well. What would you say to those skeptics?
RY – I understand the suspicion and I can't really convince them all. The bottom line is I am here now and I would only ask them to give me the benefit of the doubt while we get to work on bringing a championship to Mumbai.
VD - You cleaned house on the coaching staff, replacing Roberto Torres who was popular with the players as well as the hitting and pitching coaches. What went into that decision?
RY – It's really not a knock on Roberto or the rest of the staff. We had some personnel in our system that I felt was a better fit in this particular situation. We figure to have a high volume of young players in key roles over the next couple of seasons or more and Gula, Orlando and George all have strong developmental and teaching skills. They also benefit from having coached a lot of these guys in the minors and already have good relationships with them. I also think Gula's ability to take data and analysis and transfer that into in game decision making is at a high level.
VD – The off season so far has been fairly quiet with no big splashes as far as trades or signings. Are you set with the team as is as you head towards spring training?
RY – Well we are always looking for opportunities to improve the team but I don't anticipate any major moves at this point. We have some established guys who we are happy with and some young guys that need playing time to develop and see what we have. That said, I feel like this is competitive team and our goal is the playoffs.
VD – I am going to throw a few names at you and just give me your thoughts if you will?
VD - Donald Little?
RY – Great guy. Super smart. Great owner. Hires guys and let's them do their job without interference. Committed to winning.
VD – Dan Jackson?
RY – Solid ball player. Heart of the team. Tireless work ethic. Easy guy to root for.
VD – Ronald Eglington?
RY – Exciting young pitcher. Has a very high ceiling. Coachable and smart.
VD – Matthew Hewat?
RY – Great bat to ball skills. Very good hands and feet at short. Potential multi-year all star.
VD – Just one more question but this wasn't on my list. Why the book on Musk Ox husbandry?
RY – Oh that. Well I am a part owner of a musk ox ranch in Finland. Fascinating animals. You can tell a lot about a musk ox by looking it in the eye. Sometimes there's a connection, an understanding of some kind...(his face becomes more pensive) sometimes though... you just see your own distorted image reflected back to you in the watery mirror of a cold, black indifferent universe.
VD – Umm...well thanks and good luck this year.
RY – Thank you.
