(Camera shows the interior of Benny Vitale’s new office at Black Sox Park: a clean, mid-century modern look with lots of Scandinavian style furniture, blond wood and stainless steel. The only picture on the wall is a large portrait – of herself standing amid a grove of trees and cradling a shotgun. She is seated behind an expansive blond wood writing desk in a black leather and chrome office chair. The desktop is empty and spotless, but for a stylish iMac desktop computer. Seated across the desk from her, in an uncomfortable-looking straight-back wooden chair is Assistant General Manager Bill McGuffin).
GM Benedetta "Benny" Vitale
Bill McGuffin (tugging at his collar, his voice a little unsteady): Oh, sure. Um … let’s see … Eduardo Martínez. OK, he’s 45 and he’s kind of a quiet, studious guy. Loves sabermetrics. You know, he’s won his division the last two years … He’s 173-107 since he’s come to Grand Junction.
Benny: Yes. How did he do in the playoffs?
McGuffin: Well, he … uh … lost in the first round both years.
Benny: Hmm. So, he’s a loser.
McGuffin: What? A loser? No, no. He won the division …
Benny: Mmm Hmm.
McGuffin: Twice!
Benny: Yes. So you said.
McGuffin: Well, come on Benny, that’s not nothing.
Benny: No, but it’s not precisely the goal, either, is it, Bill? (She opens the middle drawer of her desk and takes out a thick document bound in a cover emblazoned with a Black Sox logo, and positions it precisely in front of her).
This is a study of Mr. Martínez and his leadership impact on the Gold Sox, which we commissioned from the Kocherschmeltz Group …
McGuffin: Kocherschmeltz? Isn’t that the guy in California?
Benny: (Nods): Close. Actually, this is his brother, Jürgen Kocherschmeltz. He is a developmental psychologist by training, and he and his group have devised an interesting system to grade the impact of leaders on their followers – and he has applied this system specifically to the behavioral dynamics of baseball teams.
Eduardo Martínez
Benny: Yes. And what he has determined is that Mr. Martínez’s developmental influence on the typical player profile that comes through Grand Junction is “below average.”
McGuffin (now clearly bewildered): What now?
Benny: Is there something wrong with your hearing? Below average. (She holds up the report and points to a line that reads “below average” in large, bright orange type). There is another way to put this, Mr. McGuffin.
McGuffin: Oh?
Benny: Yes. “Unacceptable.” I’m afraid Mr. Martínez will have to go.
McGuffin: But … but … he won the division …
Benny: Yes. Twice, I believe you said.
McGuffin: Exactly!
Benny: With zero championships, I believe I observed.
McGuffin: But that’s not the measure of a minor league program – it’s the quality of the players they produce …
Benny: I agree completely. And what success Grand Junction has had in this regard, the Kochershmeltz Group attributes to the excellent coaches on the Grand Junction staff – coaches who we have invested in for specialized Kochershmeltz Group instructional training this offseason.
McGuffin: Kochershmeltz Group training?
Benny: You really should look into having your hearing tested, Mr. McGuffin. (Looks at him quizzically) How old are you, again?
McGuffin: Young. Very young.
Benny (looks dubious): All right. Well, please inform Mr. Martínez that his services are no longer required. We have an offer out, meanwhile, to a replacement who the Kochershmeltz Group recommends very highly: they grade his player development influence – his PDI, if you will – as “excellent.”
Bill McGuffin
McGuffin: Excellent?
Benny (sighs and holds up the report, pointing to a line that reads “Excellent” in bright blue letters). I’ll take the liberty of asking Dr. Mellouk, the team trainer, to arrange a hearing test for you this afternoon.
McGuffin (stunned): A hearing test. I don't think I need ...
Benny: Yes, but I think you need. First, though, please inform Mr. Martínez to have his office cleared by the end of the day. Thank you. Dismissed.
McGuffin (stands shakily and turns to leave): He’s won the division …
Benny: Twice. Yes. And he needs to go. As do you, if you’re going to be a roadblock for me.
McGuffin (pulls himself up straight): No. Not at all. I’m on it, Benny.
Benny: Very good. Dr. Mellouk’s assistant will be in touch about the hearing test. Good day.
[Recording Ends]
