Bob Melvin - Biography

Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961, in Palo Alto, California) is the manager of the Oakland Athletics, and a former Major League Baseball catcher.

During a 10-year playing career, he played from 1985–94 for seven different teams. In his eight-year managing career, he has managed the Seattle Mariners (2003–04), the Arizona Diamondbacks (2005–09), and the Oakland Athletics (2011–present).

Baseball career

Player

Melvin played ten seasons, mostly as a backup, for the Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox. He finished his career with a batting average of .233. and 35 home runs. While a member of the Giants, he served as the backup for fellow catcher Bob Brenly, who also went on to serve as manager of the Diamondbacks.

Manager

Seattle Mariners

During the 2003 and 2004 seasons he was the manager of the Seattle Mariners. His first year as a manager with the Mariners, the team won 93 games but failed to go to the playoffs. The Mariners decided not to extend his contract after the 2004 season when the team lost a total of 99 games. Melvin returned to the Diamondbacks, for whom he had previously been bench coach before being hired by the Mariners. Melvin was actually the second man hired for the job; originally, the Diamondbacks hired Wally Backman, who was fired without managing a single game due to revelations of past arrests and serious financial issues.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Melvin led Arizona to a National League West title in 2007, with a record of 90–72. The Diamondbacks entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the National League. They swept the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS, but were then swept themselves in the NLCS against the Colorado Rockies. Melvin was named The Sporting News Manager of the Year and MLB Manager of the Year for the National League in 2007. His nickname, given to him by Mark Grace, is "The Mad Scientist", which was derived from his tendency to use various line-ups to a high (and somewhat surprising) degree of success.

Firing and job interviews

Melvin was replaced as manager by A.J. Hinch following the May 8, 2009 game. Melvin was interviewed by the Milwaukee Brewers for their managerial opening in October 2010. He was believed to be a finalist along with Bobby Valentine, Joey Cora, and Ron Roenicke. The position eventually went to Angels bench coach Roenicke. Melvin was interviewed by the New York Mets for their managerial opening prior to the 2011 season. The position was eventually awarded to Terry Collins.

Oakland Athletics

On June 9, 2011 he was named interim manager of the Oakland Athletics. On September 21, 2011 he was named manager of the Oakland Athletics and agreed upon a 3 year contract extension after guiding the team to a 62-68 record.

Personal life

Melvin resides in Manhattan, with his wife, Kelley. He has one daughter, Alexi (December 21, 1988). Melvin and his family are very active with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation—his daughter has been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Melvin is Jewish.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball managers in 2006
• List of Major League Baseball managers in 2007
• List of Major League Baseball managers in 2008

External links