Ken Macha

Ken Macha
Macha (center) with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009
Third baseman/Manager
Born:(1950-09-29)September 29, 1950 Monroeville, Pennsylvania,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
Professional debut
MLB:April 12, 1974, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
NPB:April 4, 1982, for the Chunichi Dragons
Last appearance
MLB:September 30, 1981, for the Toronto Blue Jays
NPB:September 19, 1985, for the Chunichi Dragons
MLB statistics
Batting average	.258
Home runs	1
Runs batted in	35
Managerial record	525–447
Winning %	.540
NPB statistics
Batting average	.304
Home runs	82
Runs batted in	268
Teams
As player Pittsburgh Pirates(1974,1977–1978) Montreal Expos(1979–1980) Toronto Blue Jays(1981) Chunichi Dragons(1982–1985) As manager Oakland Athletics(2003–2006) Milwaukee Brewers(2009–2010) As coach Montreal Expos(1986–1991) California Angels(1992–1994) Oakland Athletics(1999–2002)

Kenneth Edward Macha(/ˈmɑːkə/;born September 29, 1950) is an American formerMajor League Baseballthird basemanandmanager.He managed theOakland Athleticsfrom 2003 to 2006, includingAmerican LeagueWestern Division championships in both his first and final seasons with the team, and later managed theMilwaukee Brewers(2009–10).

Previously, Macha played for thePittsburgh Pirates,Montreal ExposandToronto Blue Jaysin a span of six seasons from 1974 to 1981. Macha also worked forRoot Sports Pittsburgh(now Sportsnet Pittsburgh) as a Pirates postgame analyst in the mid-2010's.

Playing career

Macha is a graduate ofGateway High SchoolinMonroeville,a suburb ofPittsburgh,and played college ball at theUniversity of Pittsburgh.He was selected by Pittsburgh in the sixth round of the 1972 June draft. He was theEastern Leaguebatting champion in 1974 with theThetford Mines Pirates.

Macha made his major league debut on September 14, 1974, going 1-for-1 in a 17-2 Pirates loss to the Expos atJarry Park.He is one of only a handful of players to play for both theMontreal ExposandToronto Blue Jays,Canada's two major league franchises. His last major league appearance was on September 30, 1981, in a 3-0 Blue Jays loss to theOakland Athletics.Macha hit a combined.258 in 180Major League Baseballgames.

Following his major league career, Macha spent four years playing inJapanwith theChunichi Dragons,from 1982 until 1985.

Coaching career

Macha retired as a player in 1985 and joined the Expos as a major leaguecoachin 1986. He spent six seasons at Montreal before moving to coaching for theCalifornia Angelsat bullpen and third base. He then joined theBoston Red Soxorganization in fall 1994.

The 1997 season marked Macha's first as manager of the Triple-APawtucket Red Sox.In the previous two seasons he managed the Double-ATrenton Thunderto first-place finishes, including a league-best 86–56 record and another division crown in 1996. He was chosen to manage theAmerican Leagueaffiliates in theDouble-A All-Star Game.

Macha then joined theOakland Athleticsas bench coach, serving under former Pirates teammateArt Howefrom 1999 through 2002. In March 2002, the A's denied permission for the Red Sox to contact Macha about their managerial vacancy. Boston then hiredGrady Little,while Macha spent a final season as a coach until he was tapped to succeed Howe, who became manager of theNew York Metsafter the season ended.

In one of the most unusual contract moves ever, Macha's pact expired on October 8, 2005, and negotiations broke down between the two sides trying to reach a deal; eventually it broke apart and Macha was out of a job. Six days later—apparently after talking with thePittsburgh Pirates,but either not being offered the managerial position there or deciding not to take it—Macha reached a deal with the Athletics and became manager once again. He would lead them to a division title and a sweep over theMinnesota Twinsin the ALDS to advance to theAmerican League Championship Series,which was the team's first playoff series victory since 1990. However, the Athletics would be swept by theDetroit Tigers.On October 16, 2006, he was fired by general managerBilly Beane,which occurred the same day that a report came out by ESPN that cited Macha having a tenuous relationship with the players, particularly with injured players (he referred to two placed on the disabled list as "non-entities" ).The Athletics would not win another playoff series until 2020.

After he was dismissed from his managerial position in Oakland, theSeattle Marinersoffered Macha a position as bench coach to managerMike Hargrove,but Macha refused, citing his desire to take a year off. He was then offered a position as a senior adviser to Mariners GM Bill Bavasi.However, in April 2007, Macha accepted a part-time position as a pre- and post-game analyst forNew England Sports Network,which telecasts Boston Red Sox games.

On October 30, 2008, theMilwaukee Brewersannounced Macha as the Brewers' new manager. Macha's Brewers finished below.500 in both 2009 and 2010. On October 3, 2010, it was confirmed that Macha would not return for the 2011 season.

Personal life

Macha is a first cousin toHal Newhouser.In the offseason, he lived inMurrysville, Pennsylvania,with his family.

As of 2020, Macha is retired and residing inLatrobe, Pennsylvania,near his hometown of Monroeville.

Managerial record

Team	Year	Regular season					Postseason
		Games	Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
OAK	2003	162	96	66	.593	1st in AL West	2	3	.400	LostALDS(BOS)
OAK	2004	162	91	71	.562	2nd in AL West	–	–	–
OAK	2005	162	88	74	.543	2nd in AL West	–	–	–
OAK	2006	162	93	69	.574	1st in AL West	3	4	.429	LostALCS(DET)
OAK total		648	368	280	.568		5	7	.417
MIL	2009	162	80	82	.494	3rd in NL Central	–	–	–
MIL	2010	162	77	85	.475	3rd in NL Central	–	–	–
MIL total		324	157	167	.485		0	0	–
Total		972	525	447	.540		5	7	.417

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors),orRetrosheet
• Ken Macha managerial career statisticsatBaseball-Reference.com
• Ken Machaat Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Professional Baseball League)