February 21^st, 2011
Larry Carmello, Sportshaven.net

Objects in the hindsight mirror often appear clearer than they actually were at the time of viewing.  In my article last week, you may remember I speculated on the future of the PEBA’s Kalamazoo Badgers.  Up until a press conference held last night at Mall City’s grandiose Southland Center, the Badgers were without a General Manager to lead them into the 2011 season.

Well, I hate to say I told you so, but after a rambling introduction from team spokesman Chip Sudaberg, 41-year-old Michigan native Mark Knight was unveiled as the man who will look to improve the Badger’s consistently mediocre league position.

My last article described Knight as somewhat of a zealot.  He certainly lived up to profile with his enthusiastic responses to the gathered sports journalist’s interrogation.

“A lot has been made of my lack of experience,” said Knight in a prepared statement that he uncomfortably mumbled through before hitting his comfort zone when questions were taken from the floor.  “I feel that the experience I gained in Florida managing triple-A ball was invaluable and taught me much of what I plan to use here in the PEBA.

“However, this will still probably be something of a learning curve for both myself and Badgers fans.  I’m lucky to have an experienced playing staff and good men in the clubhouse to guide me through my first few weeks.”

When questioned by one journalist about what we can expect him to bring to the ball club, Knight came into his own and responded in typically dramatic and enthusiastic style.  “Unity.  A common goal.  I feel that it’s time for the Badgers to move away from the second-place brush that they’ve been tarred with of late.”

Indeed it is hard to say anything about the K-zoo team without overusing synonyms for the word “mediocre”.   The relevant section of my bookshelf thesaurus is positively worn out.  I dread to think what new and exciting alternatives my Michigan-based colleagues, many of whom were in attendance at the press conference, have come up with over the last four seasons.  Knight is certainly in for a challenging time this season, something he acknowledged at the press conference.

“I think the biggest challenge is going to be proving everyone wrong.  And I love proving everyone wrong.  I live for it.”  He went on to explain, “Some people seem to have written us off as second fiddle to the Crystal Lake Sandgnats, and they think that’s the way it’s always going to be.  Crystal Lake is a great team, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve got something special here in Kalamazoo.  Give me a couple of years with this squad, and if they put the right amount of effort in, they could be just as good – if not better – than the guys across the lake.”

This would seem to suggest that Knight plans to do some squad rebuilding over the coming months, but Knight remained evasive when pushed.   “There’s a great team here already.  There are holes that need patching, but I don’t foresee any major changes this season.”

It would already appear that the new GM will remain fairly quiet in free agency, having brushed off a question about any early season signings.   “Like I say, I’m happy with my squad right now.  We have a very strong rotation.  Combine that with out bullpen, and I think we could be one of – if not the – best pitching team in the league this year.  Combine that with our offensive lineup, I think we’re on to a winner.  So no, I’m not looking at any of the unsigned players as yet.  There’s a great pool of talent out there, but I’m all about clubhouse synergy, and the guys I have here seem to gel.   I don’t want to waltz in and break that up right off the bat, as it were.”

He did not, however, rule out the possibility of deals being done with other teams before the end of spring training.  “The other guys have already been in touch,” he explained, referring to the leagues other general managers.  “They’ve been very welcoming.  A couple mind games, the usual.  There’s been trade talk already, which is great.  It gives me a good opportunity to see my team through the eyes of others.  Something may come of it, maybe not; we shall see.  I’ve barely had a chance to find a place to hang my jacket, so give me a while to take stock and we’ll see what happens.”

All in all, Knight expressed his powerful personality while remaining thoroughly noncommittal throughout.  It will be interesting to see over the Spring Training period whether Knight is a man for action, or if he is – as some of my colleagues have already stipulated – all talk.

Keep an eye out this week for my preview of the Badgers’ 2011 season.