Boardwalk Empire - 2045.1 - Bench Coach Kidd Retires, Hitting Coach Esquivel Departs

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Boardwalk Empire - 2045.1 - Bench Coach Kidd Retires, Hitting Coach Esquivel Departs

Post by Joshua Biddle » Wed Dec 30, 2020 11:15 pm

Bench Coach Kidd Retires, Hitting Coach Esquivel Not Renewed

In what could be the first of many changes in the Atlantic City Gamblers' dugout for the upcoming 2045 season, the first two dominoes have fallen. Bench coach Mark Kidd, who had served as the Gamblers' bench coach for five seasons, formally announced his retirement. Hitting coach Bartolo Esquivel, who had served as the Gamblers' hitting coach for four seasons, has officially been informed he will not be tendered a contract extension to remain with the organization.

Kidd, 62, joined the Atlantic City Gamblers organization prior to the 2037 season as manager of Class Short Season A Bogota. He found quick success, leading the Scholars to back-to-back championships in the 2037 and 2038 seasons, also winning the DRAKE Manager of the Year Award in both seasons. He was promoted to manager of Class-A Long Island for the 2039 season, leading the team to a 75-56 record and 2nd place finish in the division, one game back of the division leader, and just short of a playoff berth. Kidd interviewed for the vacant Gamblers' managerial position following the dismissal of Edgar Ferreira at the conclusion of the 2039 season, was a finalist for the position, but ultimately lost out on the position to Jack Parkinson. Still, Kidd earned a promotion to bench coach for the Gamblers, and the team amassed a 387-423 (.478) record over the five years he served, including one playoff appearance during the 2043 season. A manager who believes in small ball -- a stark contrast from the Gamblers' lineup primarily based around power -- Kidd provided a contrarian opinion in the dugout for manager Bruce Frank, though frustrations reportedly had boiled over a few times during the disappointing 2044 campaign. Reports had come out in recent days that the Gamblers may dismiss Kidd, but the retirement announcement prevents any messy break up between the organization and a staff member who won championships within their minor league system and helped mold some of the young offensive stars currently in Atlantic City.

Esquivel, 60, joined the Atlantic City Gamblers organization prior to the 2037 as well, serving as the hitting coach for the 2037 DRAKE champion Scholars team managed by Kidd. Esquivel earned promotions in four subsequent seasons, which included serving as hitting coach for the 2038 Class-A Long Island Legion that finished 78-54, hitting coach for the 2039 Class-AA Trenton Generals that finished 82-49 and earned a playoff berth, hitting coach for the 2040 Class-AAA Brooklyn Bombers that finished 86-58 and earned a playoff berth, and then a promotion to hitting coach of the Gamblers. Esquivel served as hitting coach for the Gamblers from 2041 through 2044, with the team finishing with a 320-328 (.494) record in that span. After two successful seasons in 2041 and 2042 where the Gamblers' offense scored 922 and 973 runs respectively, the offense declined to 753 runs scored in 2043 and 709 in 2044. The aforementioned decline in season totals, and the decline of specific hitters such as Stewart Illingworth and Antonio Martinez, helped make the decision not to renew Esquivel easier.

"First and foremost, on behalf of the Atlantic City Gamblers organization, we want to wish Mark a happy retirement," said assistant general manager Preston King in a statement released by the team, "he was a vital cog in terms of player development during his tenure, brought success to our minor league teams, and brought his passion for the game to the Gamblers. We sincerely thank him for his service to the organization."

Regarding Esquivel, King added, "The Gamblers organization extends a sincere thank you to Bartolo for his hard work and dedication throughout his tenure with the organization. We wish him the absolute best in his future endeavors."
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