Arizona Diamondbacks hire Tony La Russa as ‘Chief Baseball Officer’
By Hayden Kane
General manager Kevin Towers and manager Kirk Gibson have worked together in their time with the Arizona Diamondbacks to develop a professional team with a certain character. In short, they have hung their hats on valuing intangibles such as “grit” and “hustle” at least as much as talent.
With a team that is now 16-28 on the season, those two men appeared to have job security for most of the season to date. That might be called into question now, however, as the Diamondbacks made a major shakeup to their front office on Saturday. That shakeup came in the form of a high-profile hire.
Tony La Russa has been named “Chief Baseball Officer” for the Diamondbacks.
Dbacks name Tony La Russa as Chief Baseball Officer. Will be a new boss for GM Kevin Towers.
— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) May 17, 2014
The hierarchy chart for the #DBacks looks like this. CEO Derrick Hall, CBO Tony La Russa, then GM Kevin Towers. Interesting shakeup.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 17, 2014
La Russa has been linked to multiple front office positions dating back to last off-season, with the Seattle Mariners appearing to have the strongest interest at one point. This deal seemingly comes out of nowhere on that front, but it is not surprising that the Diamondbacks wanted to make a bold move.
La Russa has wanted to get back into game in competitive role, but not as manager. Wanted to try building a team. Hello, #Dbacks
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) May 17, 2014
#Dbacks prez Hall on LaRussa: "The entire organization is obviously frustrated with the results on the field and we are looking to improve"
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) May 17, 2014
As for the future of GM Kevin Towers, well…
So, if you're Kevin Towers you resign, right?
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) May 17, 2014
…the future for him and for manager Kirk Gibson might not look so good. Such is the reality when teams with playoff expectations get off to such disastrous starts.