Tennessee Smokies manager Buddy Bailey. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.
By Roger Hoover / Smokies Radio Network
Prior to Tennessee’s season finale on Monday, Smokies manager Buddy Bailey voiced his support for new Chicago Cubs farm director Brandon Hyde.
“He’s a quality guy,” said Bailey. “He’s been around, he’s managed in the minor leagues, and also has been in the big leagues as a coach. He’s a guy that has been on the field which helps a lot when you are a person that’s on the field. He understands the trials and tribulations and everything that you have to do.”
Hyde was promoted to the “farm director” role of Director of Player Development last Wednesday after serving as the minor league field coordinator for the Cubs this past season. Hyde spent the previous nine seasons in the Marlins organization, where he served as a minor league manager and big league bench coach for part of the 2010 and the entire 2011 season.
“He’s real professional, well-organized, and he has all the qualifications that I’m sure he’ll do a solid job for the organization,” Bailey said. “Unfortunately Oneri (Fleita, former Cubs farm director) is gone, he’s another guy that had been in the trenches too. Now they have another guy in that situation which for on-field personell sometimes the littlest things they can relate to. They’ve seen it and can relate to all these different situations.
“I’m sure he’s going to do a good job, I’ve had a good relationship with him over the year.”
Bailey was asked prior to the game about his future with the Cubs organization, which he said was uncertain.
“Like any other business, your future always is in someone else’s hands,” said Bailey. “All you can do is go do what you think is best day in and day out. You do the best you can to prepare your players the way you feel that they should. You find out in the future if what you’ve done is in the eyes of the people who make the decisions is quality to keep you around and let you help the organization.”
To listen to the full interview with Buddy Bailey that aired prior to Monday’s game, click the link below.
