Tim Bogar
Current Position: Nationals First Base Coach
Age: October 28, 1966 (52)
Managerial Experience: Texas Rangers (2014), Arkansas Travelers (2013), Akron Aeros (2006-2007), Lexington Legends (2005), Greenville Astros (2004)
It’s been a longtime since Bogar used to do “Ask Bogie” segments on Diamondvision before Mets home games at Shea Stadium. After his four years as a Mets utility player, he would play five more years in the Major Leagues before soon embarking on a promising coaching career.
In his four minor league stops, Bogar made the playoffs each year winning the league championship once and losing in the finals three times. He is also a three time Minor League Manager of the Year. During that time, he would manage future Major Leaguers like Hunter Pence, Ben Zobrist, Asdrubal Cabrera, and C.J. Cron.
With respect to Cabrera, Bogar would have a difficult situation with him. Cabrera was unhappy being sent down to Double-A after having already made his Major League debut. As noted in a Sports Illustrated article, Bogar deftly handled the situation to the point where Cabrera wanted to stay in Double-A with Bogar rather than accept a promotion back to Triple-A. Overall, Cabrera called Bogar “‘an unbelievable guy'” and “‘one of the best managers I’ve played for.'”
Bogar finally cracked through into the majors as Joe Maddon‘s quality assurance coach for the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays team, who won the American League pennant. En route to that pennant, the Rays went through the Boston Red Sox. That Red Sox team would hire Bogar as the first and third base coach for Terry Francona. In 2012, he would be promoted to the bench coach for Bobby Valentine.
Bogar and Valentine would clash in what was a disaster of a season for the Red Sox. That season would lead to Bogar leaving the organization and taking a job with the Rangers for a year before taking over as the manager of Angels’ Double-A affiliate. It would also lead to Valentine’s firing.
After that year returning to the minor league ranks, Bogar rose to the Angels front office serving as General Manager Jerry Dipoto‘s special assistant. Dipoto left the Angels for the Mariners after the 2014 season, but Bogar would remain in his post for an extra year until Dipoto brought him over to the Mariners to serve as the bench coach.
The two being reunited lasted just two years as Bogar was dismissed from his job. He would not be unemployed very long as Dave Martinez, the Rays bench coach during Bogar’s one year with the team.
While Bogar has a wealth of experience, he does have Major League managerial experience. In 2014, he would take over as the Rangers manager with Ron Washington was forced to step aside from the role. In his 22 games as the manager of the Rangers, he would lead them to a 14-8 record. He would interview for the job which would eventually go to Jeff Banister.
In his career, it is noteworthy Bogar has worked with very analytically advanced organizations with the Rays, Red Sox, and Angels. As a member of the Angels front office and his minor league managerial experience, he has shown the ability to coach and develop players. With the Rangers, he even showed he could win some games as a manager. The question for him now is whether a team will give him an opportunity to show what he did with the 2014 Rangers was for real.
What They Say
Jon Daniels – “Tim is very well regarded. He’s got the respect of his peers and the players. He’s hard working, organized, knowledgeable about the game, respected on the staff.” (Landon Haaf, WFAA).
Joe Maddon – “Baseball-wise, he’s very sharp. He’s very organized and detailed. Personality-wise, you can classify him as a communicator, a guy you can speak with. He’s open-minded and willing to try different things. He’s definitely managerial material.” (Larry Stone, Seattle Times).
Recommendation
Bogar is certainly an interesting name which has emerged. He has shown an ability to connect with his players. He is well versed with analytics. He has experience in a variety of roles including as an interim manager.
He’s worked with some of the best in Maddon, Francona, and Valentine. He has a fiery personality which has led to him getting ejected as a first base coach. This is just one of those reasons why his players like and respect him.
If this was the direction the Mets go, it may not be a popular decision among the fan base. However, in due time, Bogar could well endear himself to the fans with his personality, ability to manage/coach, and ultimately, all the things he can bring to the table which could turn this team into a winner.
