OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mark Kotsay still remembers how thoughtfully manager Terry Francona went about sharing the news that Kotsay was being cut by the Boston Red Sox. Now a manager himself in Oakland, Kotsay tries to channel Francona’s grace and care. When it comes to tough conversations with players, most every baseball manager agrees that being truthful and straightforward is the best approach. And today’s players demand more regular communication, such as when they’re playing or might be given a day off to rest. That’s because major leaguers count on routine and regular preparation over the course of a 162-game season.
