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October 25, 2015: Occasionally Appreciated

26 Comments

I've been leading my department for about a year and a half or two without ever getting paid for it. With the exit of one manager, the other apparently has finally opened up and is coyly acknowledging that he agrees. Well...I guess we'll see if this goes anywhere.

26 thoughts on “October 25, 2015: Occasionally Appreciated”

    1. And get off my lawn!

      More seriously, I could see working out a situation where the field manager is just the one pushing the buttons during the game, with veteran coaches doing most everything else. It would allow the GM to hire a manager who is all-in on the philosophy of the team, without having to worry so much about whether they can help players on the coaching side. Kind of like Bobby Bowden ended up at FSU: manager as a figurehead that makes the big in-game decisions, while assistants run the team day-to-day.

      1. Hasn't the best way to become a manager always been to enjoy a close relationship with the GM?

    1. Sad news.

      From a happier time (fast-forward to about 2:19 for the Gophers to arrive on the floor)

    3. My son had his confirmation today, and I was in a reflecting mood when I heard about Flip's passing. As I read some of the comments by people around the country (especially Marbury's fine tribute), I keep coming back to the "one of us" conversation that seems to happen around our state. It is mocked by guys like Barriero, who think we as Minnesotans don't have the intestinal fortitude to set aside our "homer" mentality and GO FOR THE JUGULAR! JUST WIN BABY!!!!

      Flip wasn't born here, but all I have heard and read about him makes him one of us. I think he was super competitive and wanted to win. However, there seemed to be a high level of integrity around him. I didn't imagine that a guy like Marbury would step forward with such moving testimony. With all the craziness of the Marbury years, Flip still reached him as a father figure. You see, being "one of us" is about caring about those around you. We have our share of discord and drama, but when someone falls, we all help pick him or her up. I guess what I am saying is, even though I get way into sports and sometimes get carried away with my hopes and dreams of a Minnesota championship, I would still rather have my teams being run by good, high integrity people, than the scum that often lead the big market teams. Win or lose, we have a sense of community about us in Minnesota. Sure we have the Stribbers who don't necessarily make us proud in the fish wrap comment sections, but for the most part we tend to love our team. I am disappointed in the past few years Mauer has put up, but I won't hate on him or ridicule him. I don't think he is choosing to under perform. I can't imagine what his family goes through hearing what people say and write about him. I also won't feel too bad for him, as he has had his share of success, adulation, and wealth. But I do feel he is one of us, and I will pull for him to find the magic again.

      I won't pretend to know Flip, but my heart goes out to his family and friends. Again, Flip wasn't born here, but he became one of us somewhere along the way. I wanted so bad for him to win the big one during his second tenure with the Wolves. But now, that all just seems superficial. Someone just lost a husband, a father, or a friend. RIP Flip.

  6. I never met Flip. But he along with KG represented everything good and exciting about the Wolves. A sad day, to be sure. He was a young man. Damn.

    1. Never met him either, but I did go on a recruiting trip to GVLCC (for football) when he was coaching there and got to take in a game. His team was a juggernaut.

      1. I waited on Flip and his wife when they came in for lunch at the hotel a couple of years ago. He was very affable (he called me by name) and tipped very generously. Seemed like a real mensch. This news just punched me in the gut.

    2. I lived in La Crosse and was a regular at Catbird games during Flip's tenure there. I was working at the hotel that was connected to the arena where the Catbirds played and Flip was always a class act and a joy to have around.

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