| How can you not love this guy? |
This post isn’t a backdoor “let’s bash Neal Huntington”
entry. The Pirates are three games out,
the hitting is showing some life, and we’re in “wait and see” mode to see what Huntington
does to keep the Pirates in contention, and maybe even put them over the
top.
This post is about Syd Thrift, the Pirates’ general manager
from 1985-1988, who in three years turned a pathetic franchise into a contender
that would go on to win three division titles in a row. Thrift was a great baseball character, a
long-time baseball man, and a man who knew – and spoke – his mind. There aren’t
many like him.
It’s inevitable, though, that in looking at Syd’s
accomplishments in three years, one can’t help but wonder if there are lessons
for the current GM, particularly at this promising time.
