Wrong Turn: A GM/Manager Career Story

[vrobx1]

Prologue:

I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque.

It's easy to look back and Monday Morning Quarterback life's decisions.

Hindsight is always 20/20.

But, seriously, I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque.

Instead, I was unlocking the door to my one bedroom rental home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Once again, back in the baseball world.

"You are 51 years old, Bobby James," I scolded myself. "When will you ever grow up?"

And I already knew the answer to that question.

As long as baseball still existed in the universe, I would never grow up.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

It had started innocently enough.

Had tried out for the base softball team when I was stationed in Germany in '86.

Came back to the states to play for the UHVC softball team.

Met my future ex-wife.

My first future ex-wife.

The 90s was a rough decade.

I never really had a plan for life. I went to college because it was there to go to. I took jobs because they were there to take.

The only thing that kept pulling me back was baseball.

Over the years, I did all sorts of odd and end jobs in baseball. Field clean up crew at the University of Texas. Assistant to the assistant equipment manager in San Antonio. Returned to Victoria College to be a softball hitting coach. Went back to the pros and moved up the ladder with the Round Rock Express reaching bench coach status.

Meanwhile, I was divorced twice, have six children, four of whom have even blocked me on Facebook and a fifth that, last I knew, was arrested for assault during one of those Antifa protest things.

The sixth one is serving in the United States Marine Corps

One out of six ain't bad?

In 2015, a bench clearing altercation was highlighted by yours truly kicking the other team's pitching coach right in the marbles.

At the end of the season, the Round Rock Express no longer required my services.

I was 48 then. Fired. Twice divorced. With only a bottle of Wild Turkey willing to be my friend.

Slowly, I tried to put my life back together. I started attending AA meetings. I began to eat healthier. I got the DDP Yoga app and began to get well mentally as well as physically.

And I began to cleanse myself of my addiction to baseball.

But then the Colorado Rockies called.

And just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in.




Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

"The reason I am calling you is that Glenallen Hill has decided to step down as our manager in Albuquerque. That leaves the Isotopes looking for a new skipper."

I rubbed my eyes and walked towards the kitchen where the coffee pot sat like a guiding light.

"I have not kept up with baseball the past couple of seasons," I replied. "So I don't know who is available that I can recommend."

There was a chuckle on the other end. "No Mister James. You were the one who was recommended. We're interested in you in that position."

I stood in silence for I don't know how long. Finally I think I muttered out a "what?"

"We would like to offer you the job as the manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes."

Immediately I felt the need for a drink.

"I am sorry you wasted your time calling here but no," I said. "Baseball destroyed my life. There is no way I can get back into that world again."

"Baseball destroyed your life." I could hear the disdain in his voice. "It was baseball's fault you cheated on your first ex-wife with your second ex-wife. It was baseball's fault you cheated on your second ex-wife with a ball girl almost twenty years younger than you. It's baseball's fault you couldn't handle your liquor. And here I heard you always preached self responsibility to your players."

There was more silence. I hated this man. I hated him for being right. I hated him for knowing he was right.

"What are you thinking about right now, Mister James?" he asked.

"Regret."

"What are you regretting?"

"2003."

"Why 2003?"

"Because I quit smoking in 2003 and right now I need a cigarette!"



Sent from my K88 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

When all was said and done, I needed the money.

Two ex-wives will do that to you.

I flew into Colorado and met with the Rockies GM Jeff Bridlich. A 40 year old native of Wisconsin, Bridlich had been in baseball for a dozen years. My boss would be eleven years younger than me.

We agreed to a one year contract for $130,000. We both agreed that, under the circumstances, a year was enough for now.

Just to see how things would go.

I attended Spring Training with the Rockies as we all began to put together our rosters.

During this time, the following moves took place:

March 28, 2018
Received RF Manny Sanchez from MLB Colorado.

March 29, 2018
Received 1B Josh Fuentes and RP Evan Grills from Double A Hartford. Sent 1B Brian Mundell, RF Manny Sanchez and RP Nelson Gonzalez to Double A Hartford.

March 31, 2018
Received 2B Shawn O'Malley from MLB Colorado.

April 1, 2018
Received SP Colby Lewis, and RF Justin Ruggiano from DSL Colorado, SP Chad Bettis from MLB Colorado and RPs Cory Rasmus and Ryan Webb and RF Willy Garcia from Double A Hartford. Sent SP Parker French and RP Scott McGough to Double A Hartford.





Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

From The PCL Observer online.

The following is excerpted from their preseason predictions and team by team analysis:

In the Pacific Conference West Division, the Albuquerque Isotopes are primed to take the division and maybe even the conference championship.

With the powerful bats of Ryan McMahon, Raimel Tapia and Stephen Cardullo combining with the pitching of David Holman, German Marquez and Brett Oberholtzer, the Isotopes should make great strides to improve on last season's 68-73 record.

The big concern in Albuquerque will be with manager Robert James. The 51 year old James will be a manager for the first time ever. Throughout his years as a player and coach, James has been volatile, unpredictable and controversial.

James will be reunited with Isotopes pitching coach Brandon Emanuel. These two crossed paths in James' last season in baseball when James dealt a cheap shot to Emanuel's crotch during a brawl between the Isotopes and Round Rock Express.

38 year old Colby Lewis brings experience and leadership to the team. Lewis has pitched in the World Series for the Texas Rangers and should pay big dividends inside the clubhouse.

Predicted finish: 79-59. First place.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[nymetsfan5]

excellent writing as usual

[stevem810]

Love the narrative.

[battists]

Enjoying this story. Funny how I just posted the start of my own story yesterday and there are some stark similarities!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

First you take a jalapeno pepper and slice it open. Clean the insides out. Fill with cream cheese. Put the pepper back together.

Next slice open a chicken breast. Put your pepper poppers inside the chicken and fold it back together.

Wrap with bacon.

Smoke.

And you get what we had for dinner that night.

We being the coaching staff of the Albuquerque Isotopes.

Brandon Emanuel and hitting coach Tim Doherty were at my house the last night before we headed to Salt Lake City to begin the 2018 season.

Brandon and I had put the incident behind us and were ready to put together the depth charts and pitching rotation for the season.

Main lineup would be:
1. Raimel Tapia CF
2. Anthony Phillips SS
3. Ryan McMahon1B
4. Mike Tauchman RF
5. Stephen Cardullo LF
6. Justin Ruggiano DH
7. Tony Wolters C
8. Shawn O'Malley 2B
9. Derrik Gibson 3B

Pitching Rotation
1. Chad Bettis
2. German Marquez
3. Brett Oberholtzer
4. Colby Lewis
5. David Holman

Bullpen
Closer: Austin House
Setup: DJ Johnson and Jairo Diaz
Middle Relief: Ryan Webb and Cory Rasmus
Long Relief: Keith Hessler

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[tenthreeleader]

Looks like a fun start! Good stuff!

and subscribed!

[vrobx1]

ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES AT SALT LAKE CITY BEES

Smith's Ballpark, located in Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, is the largest ballpark in the PCL. We would start the season with a 5 game series in Salt Lake City. Yes. Five!

April 5: Opening Day! My nerves stood on end as I chomped down on a piece of Wrigley's Spearmint Gum and sipped on a Pepsi. My first soda in 8 months. My stomach was going to hate me later. Chad Bettis was not good. He didn't even get out of the fourth inning. Ryan McMahon had a two run single in the seventh to make the final score closer than it actually should have been. Salt Lake City 5 Isotopes 3.

April 7: A rainout on the sixth brought about a double header on the seventh. In the first game, we held a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth. With bases loaded and two out, Shawn O'Malley hit a two run single that put the game away. Isotopes 7 Bees 2. In the second game, we were tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth. The Bees then put up a crooked number. Salt Lake City 6 Isotopes 3.

April 8: This time we led 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth but the Bees scored twice to walk off. Salt Lake City 3 Isotopes 2.

April 9: It's the first release of the season for the Weekly Power Rankings. We rank 11th out of 16 teams. In the finale in Salt Lake City, we put up four runs in the first inning, taking advantage of two errors. Isotopes 6 Salt Lake City 4.

We head back home for six games. Three of which will be against the Bees.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

2-3. Meh. Not good. Not bad. Just. Meh.

But with the next seven games at home, we really needed to leave this home stand above .500.

The PCL is not like a developmental league. Wins and losses matter here. It's certainly no MLB but losing here does cost people jobs.

I felt that we had some leeway. As long as we remained respectable on the field.

And I only had a one year contract. One chance to either blow it or impress somebody.

LAS VEGAS 51S 0-5 AT ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES 2-3
I was not happy having a winless team as our home opener. Win the series and we still don't know where we stand. But lose the series? That would be an ugly way to begin the season.
April 10: Chad Bettis bounced back from his horrible Opening Day to allow just one run in seven innings. But we could only score a single run and then they scored four in the ninth. Las Vegas 5 Isotopes 1.

April 11: We had some changes take place in our bullpen. Jairo Diaz was promoted to Colorado while Evan Grills and DJ Johnson were sent down to Hartford. Adam Ottavino, Scott Oberg and SP Tyler Anderson came to us from Colorado. I moved Anderson to the number three spot in the rotation. Oberg became our new closer. Ottavino moved to long relief. Alas, it is our offense that is in need of the help. Las Vegas 2 Isotopes 0.

April 12: Anderson makes his debut and goes six without allowing an earned run. But we committed three errors. And get swept by the once 0-5 51s. Las Vegas 4 Isotopes 1.

SALT LAKE BEES 6-2 AT ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES 2-6
The Bees swept their series against El Paso. The team that swept a five game series against Las Vegas to open the season. So the Bees are in first and we are in last.

April 13: And it is Friday the 13th. We have a 4-1 lead after seven but they score three in the top of the ninth to take a 5-4 lead. In the bottom of the ninth, we put runners on the corners with one out. Wes Rogers then hit a double on a full count to tie the game. The next batter, Mike Tauchman, hit a fly ball deep enough into center field to score Anthony Phillips from third with the walk off run. Isotopes 6 Salt Lake 5.

April 14: A repeat score. Wes Rogers went 2 for 4 with a home run. Tauchman again had the game winning RBI. This time a run scoring double in the seventh that broke a 5-5 tie. Isotopes 6 Salt Lake 5.

April 15: Anderson and Oberg were sent back to Colorado. Austin House was sent to Hartford. We got Diaz back from Colorado along with SP Jeff Hoffman. I put Hoffman in the four spot in the rotation. Diaz went back to his closer role. As for the game, we trailed 2-0. Got a run in the seventh. Again in the eighth. Went into extras! Alas. Salt Lake 3 Isotopes 2 10 innings.

April 16: Our struggles had put us at 13th in the Weekly Power Rankings.
Our offense had struggled early but it opened up today. Stephen Cardullo had five ribbies, we hit four home runs as a team and broke the game open with a six run seventh. Isotopes 12 Salt Lake 5.

Swept by a last place team. Took three out of four from the first place team.

What a strange home stand.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

Without even a day off, we were back on the road.

ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES 5-7 AT TACOMA RAINIERS 7-5
April 17: The less said the better. Tacoma 9 Isotopes 2.

April 18: Brett Oberholtzer gave up just one hit in five innings. Justin Ruggiano and Wes Rogers each homered. Isotopes 5 Tacoma 0.

April 19: The Rockies called up Chad Bettis and sent us Kyle Freeland. I moved German Marquez up to staff ace and put Freeland in the two spot in the rotation. Colby Lewis gave up just four hits in 5.2 innings. We trailed 2-0 in the top of the seventh. Daniel Castro hit a two run triple to tie the game and then scored the eventual winning run on a Derrik Gibson double. Isotopes 4 Tacoma 2.

April 20: Kyle Freeland got his first start for us. Ryan McMahon went 3 for 4 with a solo home run as we rallied after trailing 3-0 in the fifth inning. Isotopes 5 Tacoma 3.

ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES 8-8 AT SALT LAKE BEES 8-8
We had won six out of our last eight but we were playing the Bees once again. We were in a three way tie for first in the South Division.

April 21: We just couldn't give Marquez any run support. Salt Lake 5 Isotopes 1.

April 22: Jeff Hoffman didn't get any help either. Salt Lake 4 Isotopes 1.

April 23: We moved up to 10th in the Weekly Power Rankings. Anthony Phillips had 5 ribbies, Oberholtzer gave up just a pair of hits in eight innings and Ryan McMahon drove in three runs. We out hit them as a team 19-2. Three of our nineteen hits left the yard. Isotopes 13 Salt Lake 0.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

After a wild whirlwind of games, we got a day off before a five game series, again at home, against Las Vegas.

I got a few Isotopes shirts and began mailing them to my kids. David in the Marine Corps. Jackie and her husband and two children in Texas. Michelle in Boston. Mike, Michelle's twin brother, and his wife and three kids in Dallas. And Kenneth in Wyoming.

I didn't bother sending Tanya anything. I had no idea what her mailing address was and, if I did send her a shirt, she would probably just tie it to an American flag before setting them both on fire.

Can you guess which of my kids is the youngest?

Then for dinner, I fixed a stuffed eggplant parm. I really do like my food!

We were 9-10. Had the best starting pitching in the PCL. The offense just needed to come through more consistently.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[tenthreeleader]

Originally Posted by vrobx1

I didn't bother sending Tanya anything. I had no idea what her mailing address was and, if I did send her a shirt, she would probably just tie it to an American flag before setting them both on fire.

Can you guess which of my kids is the youngest?

This....is excellent

[vrobx1]

LAS VEGAS 51s (9-10) AT ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES (9-10)
So far, Salt Lake leads the division with a record of 10-9. Then we are in a three way tie for second at 9-10. Hopefully we don't get swept this time. Especially as this is a five game series.

April 25: Why can we not beat these guys? Las Vegas 7 Isotopes 2.

April 26: It looked like we were going to lose again. We trailed 3-0 going into the bottom of the eighth. But we started off with back-to-back doubles from Phillips, McMahon and Tauchman. Tony Wolters tied the game with a single and Wes Rogersbrought in the winner with a sacrifice fly. Isotopes 4 Las Vegas 3.

April 27: The Rockies called up Kyle Freeland and sent us Tyler Anderson. We rallied again, this time from trailing 3-1 in the seventh. Tapia and Phillips each had a two run double in the seventh. Isotopes 5 Las Vegas 3.

April 28: Heading into the bottom of the eighth, we trailed 7-1. We got only two hits in that inning, but scored four runs to make it 7-5. Then in the bottom of the ninth, we loaded the bases with two out and then Wolters cleared them with a walk off double. We were above .500 for the first time all season. Isotopes 8 Las Vegas 7.

April 29: No comeback needed here. Oberholtzer gave up just one run in six innings as our win streak reached four. Isotopes 4 Las Vegas 1

And we had a one game lead in the division!

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

Then we right back in Tacoma, Washington. The schedule really made no sense. El Paso is in our division and right next door to us. We have yet to play the Chihuahuas but we were already making our second trip to Tacoma.

ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES (13-11) AT TACOMA RAINIERS (15-8)
April 30: We had moved up all the way to number seven in the Weekly Power Rankings. We fell behind 3-0 but rallied again and after seven it was 3-3. In the top of the eighth, a sac fly from Derrik Gibson got us the win. Isotopes 4 Tacoma 3.

May 1: It is a shame we aren't at home. Would have been cool to have given Brett Oberholtzer his Pitcher of the Month Award. We can do it when we get back. If the Rockies don't call him up first. The send us reliever Luke Hochevar from Asheville. That gives us three setup guys to choose from. As for the game, we blow a 4-1 lead as they get three in the seventh. But, Justin Ruggiano hit a two run double in the eighth and we have our sixth straight win. Isotopes 6 Tacoma 4.

May 2: The win streak ended. Ugly. Tacoma 9 Isotopes 2.

May 3: The Rockies do call up a pitcher. But it is not Oberholtzer. It is Jeff Hoffman. Again. We get Chad Bettis back in return. I put Bettis in the number three spot in the rotation. Tyler Anderson gives up just a run in seven innings. Anthony Phillips has a three hit day. We take three out of four. Isotopes 7 Tacoma 1.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

We were on a roll with seven wins in our last eight games.

EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS (14-14) AT ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES (16-12)
May 4: Before the game began, we had a small ceremony for Brett Oberholtzer to let the fans celebrate him being named Pitcher of the Month. Chad Bettis then gave us 6.2 strong innings and Elliot Soto scored a couple of runs as we continued to roll. Isotopes 6 El Paso 1.

May 5: Oberholtzer lasted just 2.2 innings then left with an injury. Horrible news! But the offense picked up the slack. Shawn O'Malley had three hits and we won again. Isotopes 5 El Paso 3.

May 6: Everybody else in the division is below .500. We have built a four game lead. We need 10 innings but we win again. However, Stephen Cardullo strained a hip muscle and will be out for three weeks. Isotopes 4 El Paso 3 10 innings.

May 7: The word comes back on Oberholtzer. A hamstring strain. He will be out for two weeks. Two big losses to injury. We have climbed all the way to number three in the Weekly Power Rankings. I put Wes Rogers in at left field and David Holman into the starting rotation to replace Oberholtzer. Colby Lewis keeps us winning with six innings of four hit ball. Willy Garcia and Raimel Tapia lead the offensive assault as we sweep the Chihuahuas. Isotopes 9 El Paso 2.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

Eleven out of twelve! I knew the run couldn't last forever but I was determined to ride the tide as long as I was able.

Pitching and defense.

But now we headed back on the road against the best team in the Pacific Conference.

ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES (20-12) AT RENO ACES (22-10)
May 8: A thrilling back and forth game. Mike Tauchman had three doubles and Shawn O'Malley had three ribbies but we came up just short. Reno 9 Isotopes 8.

May 9: Ramiel Tapia was a home run run short of the cycle as we slipped past the Aces by a single run. Isotopes 4 Reno 3.

May 10: Tyler Anderson was sent back to Colorado and in his place we received Antonio Senzatela. Senzatela went into the ace role of the staff. The offense meanwhile just went nuts. For the second straight game, Tapia was a home run short of the cycle. Anthony Phillips homered in our nine run first inning. Shawn O'Malley scored three times. Isotopes 16 Reno 4.

May 11: German Marquez pitched well through seven but they got a pair in the eighth to manage the series split. Reno 4 Isotopes 2.

ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES (22-14) AT LAS VEGAS 51S (15-21)
Our pitching took another more serious blow. Chad Bettis was lost for the season because of a fractured elbow. Matt Flemer moved into the five spot in the rotation.

May 12: Colby Lewis does the job with seven innings and Anthony Phillips had a four hit day. Isotopes 11 Las Vegas 6.

May 13: Senzatela made his Isotopes debut and was not good. Las Vegas 7 Isotopes 2.

May 14: Raimel Tapia was named the Pacific Conference Player of the Week as we fell to number five in the Weekly Power Rankings. The injuries were starting to catch up with us however. Las Vegas 6 Isotopes 3.

May 15: We salvaged the split this time. Ryan McMahon had two homers and Wes Rogers also homered. Meanwhile, David Holman allowed just one earned run in six innings. Isotopes 8 Las Vegas 4.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk

[vrobx1]

That didn't take long.

The package sent to Wyoming was returned to sender.

The other one came back from Jackie's family. The shirts were in a box along with a note written by her husband.

The language used is way too vulgar to include here but it basically gave me advice on keeping my testicles attached to my body by staying away from my grandkids.

Well.

Yeah.

Not surprised.

I went to a more healthy eating night with a triple black bean burger.

It's going to take a lot of time to win over some people's trust again.

And more than just a little patience too.

Sent from my LG-M150 using Tapatalk