Boardwalk Empire - 2035.24 - Managerial Change Expected

[Joshua Biddle]

Managerial Change Expected Again in Atlantic City

In what should not be a surprise to the Atlantic City faithful, there are expected to be sweeping personnel changes in the Gamblers’ dugout following a disappointing 2035 season. Following the dismissal of Daniel Berrocales on May 26th after a 20-29 (.408) start, bench coach Joe Howard was named the interim manager for the remainder of the 2035 season. Howard has led the Gamblers to a 47-62 (.431) record, an improvement to the winning percentage achieved under Berrocales this season, and is expected to remain with the organization and return to his previous role as the team’s bench coach.

Some argue that Berrocales never stood a fair chance from the day he was hired – or at least from the time Eduardo López suffered a season-ending injury early in the 2033 season, an injury that derailed his storied career. Following the act of the enigma known as Ewan Olsen, a beloved, grandfatherly figure who led the Gamblers to a 91-71 record and a trip to the Cartwright Cup (defeated by the Charm City Jimmies 4-2) in his only full season as a manager in 2032, Berrocales was similarly popular among his players. His laid-back demeanor was comparable to Olsen’s, though Berrocales lacked the life experience at age 47 to reel in the team’s emotions during rough patches as Olsen could. Olsen’s shock retirement lowered the morale of the fans and players, though players reportedly got the sense that the Lewisburg, Tennessee native was ready to slow down his life and retire to his Tennessee farm. Berrocales finished his managerial career in Atlantic City 181-192 (.485) in 2+ seasons at the helm. Berrocales has since signed on with the Nashville Goats as bench coach.

Howard, 60, is a vastly different personality than the laid-back persona the team was used to under Olsen and Berrocales. Not that the team didn’t have an idea of what they were getting through his role as bench coach – Howard has never been one to shy away from calling players out or laying down the law in the clubhouse, even before his interim promotion. Howard generally played the “bad cop”, enforcer role under Berrocales, so his transition to interim manager was uncomplicated. Howard seemed content as the team’s bench coach, so his expected transition back should be seamless if it is indeed something he’d accept.

Which leaves the question, who is up next? Since the acquisition of the Gamblers’ franchise by BBBS Enterprises, a new manager would be the fifth person to assume the position in six seasons. The front office will carefully consider all available candidates, but considerable momentum is building behind fiery Class-AAA Brooklyn manager Troy Coffman, who led Class-AA Trenton to a division title in 2032 and Class-AAA Brooklyn to three consecutive division titles from 2033-2035. The Gamblers have gone outside of the organization with the previous hirings of Olsen and Berrocales, so a chance to promote one of their hand-picked, minor league success stories could be something that resonates with fans. Until the offseason begins and all available personnel is known, a full interview list can’t be established.

Until then, we wait.

[RonCo]

Who knows how much it matters, but I admit I love hearing about managerial acrobatics.

[Joshua Biddle]

Who knows how much it matters, but I admit I love hearing about managerial acrobatics.

As do I