Bill Masse, who led the Thunder to a 154-130 record over two seasons as the team’s manager, has been named as a scout by the Seattle Mariners.
The former Yankee farmhand skippered the team in both 2005 and 2006, and led them to their first playoff berth in six seasons. He was controversially fired after making statements that questioned the organization’s philosophy on developing pitchers in a local paper.
It’s been quite a ride for Masse ever since the Yankees let him go after the 2006 season. He spent one season managing the New Hampshire Fisher Cats before leaving the area to take the helm of the San Antonio Missions in 2008.
He spent last season as the hitting coach of the Binghamton Mets.
After once being considered a rising managerial star, Masse has now completely fallen off the map and become a scout…and he may be better off for it. Masse’s number one priority was always winning, and that often conflicted with organizations who were more concerned with development.
Brian Cashman once told me he didn’t care if his teams won at the minor league level, so that should give you some sort of indication as to why things ultimately didn’t work out with the Yankees.
Masee, who I enjoyed covering very much and have the utmost respect for, is someone I always thought would make a good college coach…maybe that’s a route he’ll pursue one day.
Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com
