So, I did some digging myself on Matheny to see if this a man I want leading a group of young players. Turns out, it's an absolute no.
https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2018/07/11...-jordan-hicks/
https://sports.yahoo.com/report-bud-...234600367.html
The 33-year-old Norris has been mercilessly riding 21-year old rookie Jordan Hicks since spring training, reminding him to be at meetings on time and publicly calling him out when he is lagging in any of the details a visitor might not notice, but other players do. Perhaps Hicks will one day appreciate the treatment?
“Probably not,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny admitted with a chuckle. “But Bud’s going to do continue to do what he thinks is right as a veteran, so you respect that.”
[...]
Matheny sees Norris’ actions as an effort to carry on the dying tradition of teaching younger players in the harshest possible ways. Matheny himself faced that on the Milwaukee Brewers when he broke in as a young catcher 24 years ago.
Matheny has reportedly had conversations with Hicks to explain that Norris’ behavior is the closer trying to to show he’s invested in Hicks’ success. Because we’re dealing with Mike Matheny here, he also stumped for “the dying tradition of teaching younger players in the harshest possible ways,” adding “I think the game has progressively gotten a little softer.”
Though Hicks is the most frequent target of Norris’ attention, he isn’t the only reliever who has sometimes prompted him to speak up.
Matheny said he invited Norris to take leadership of the bullpen and he has responded by giving him occasional reports of pitchers not living up to the standards the team set in spring training. At times, Matheny said, he has levied team fines after Norris’ reports."
I am pretty stunned that GMDM is even giving Matheny consideration in light of the KCStar's article on Danny about how this type of hazing almost
ended his career. Say what you will about the Duffman, but we likely don't make the 2014 playoffs without him and certainly don't lock down homefield advantage in 2015 without Duffy either. This article doesn't even get into Matheny's feuds with Pham (I see he's killing it with Tampa. How'd that work out for you, Mike?) and others on the ballclub. Hard pass from me. If Moore hires Matheny, my patience with GMDM is done.