While managerial rumors are flying around the majors, we haven’t yet seen a team land a new skipper. But the Korea Baseball Organization’s KIA Tigers have secured their next manager in the form of Matt Williams, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter).
Williams is said to have struck a three-year deal to head to Korea. The long-time big-league slugger had served as the Athletics’ third base coach for the past three campaigns.
Of course, the most notable aspect of Williams’s post-playing days came with the Nationals. He became the D.C. skipper in advance of the 2014 after a coaching stint with the Diamondbacks.
Things went well in 2014, with Williams helping to guide the Nats to a division title. While the club was bounced in the divisional series, he earned manager of the year honors. But the club endured a highly disappointing 2015 campaign and fired Williams at season’s end.
Good for him. He certainly wasn’t going to get another shot at managing here in the states any time soon.
Well at least he’ll get to be on a team with a few fans unlike in Oakland with all the people dressed as empty seats.
Man, your a hater. I hope you have a decent life, cause on here you’re a troll.
Struck a nerve, did he, erauber? An A’s fan, I presume.
Nooooooooo! He was such a good base coach!!!
Does he know Korean? Or will he just have the best translator in the whole country? How does this even work with the language barrier. Legit question
I don’t know the answer but I do know Bobby Valentine managed many years in Japan and Trey Hillman managed in both Japan and Korea.
My best guess is there will be an interpreter / translator and maybe he is ‘forced’ to have some native coaches on staff with KBO experience.
He’ll likely have a translator / interpreter for real time interviews and such. Most Koreans in major urban areas read and write English so he’ll likely speak English and it’ll be translated for the TV / radio.
Don’t doubt organizations that are not American. How does every player, coach, manager et al come over from wherever they’re from that isn’t English speaking predominantly and succeed here?!?!
a lot of foreign players bring interpreters with them
The same way the 300 Dominican, Cuban and Venezuelan players players in mlb do it.
I believe most Koreans understand English. It’s been taught in their high schools for years now.
I remember when I watched him lick his shoulder during an at bat. Made me laugh so hard I couldn’t eat my chili.
He’s easily one of the best 50 Nats managers of the 2010’s.
Lol
Looks like the Kia Tigers are thinking outside the box after all three of their offseason foreign player signings went up in smoke and their midseason addition Preston Tucker is the only player who’s going to be in the KBO in 2020.
Man! How’d they get him!!?