Former SE Greats Square Off in Triple-A
Monday, June 15, 2009
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Posted by: Cody Wood
Daren Brown (left) and Brett Butler (right) faced off when Brown's Tacoma Rainiers hosted Butler's Reno Aces.
Two not-quite-total strangers faced off across the diamond recently in Tacoma, Washington, for a Triple-A baseball game.
The host Tacoma Rainiers are managed by Daren Brown.
The visiting Reno Aces are managed by Brett Butler.
Both managers are former Southeastern Savage baseball players.
Darren Brown manages the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
Brett Butler manages the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Butler played for coach Doc Parham’s Savages in 1977-78-79. Brown played for coach Mike Metheny’s Savages in 1988-89.
Metheny was an assistant coach when Butler played here, so he has the inside edge on both guys.
Brownie was a pitcher for the Savages, Butler an outfielder. They didn’t really know each other and had met only in passing until June 2, the first of a four-game series in Cheney Stadium. As it should be, they split the series. Southeastern 2, Southeastern 2.
The schedule was hectic, but there was time for lunch with the two of them. Stories ensued. Instead of recalling big hits or diving catches or stolen bases or pitching gems, most had something to do with “running poles.”
Brown is in his third year with the Rainiers, Butler his first in the inaugural year for the Aces.
Savage fans will relate more to exploits on the field, but conversation with these two is on a different level.
Winning records are nice, but of secondary importance in the minors. It’s all about getting players ready to move up the ladder, helping them work through rehab for various injuries, or easing former major leaguers out of the game.
All managers have to know the game. They have to know the book on when to bunt, when to steal, when to change pitchers, all of that good stuff. They also have to know when to go against the book.
It’s tough to get a minor-league team on a roll, then take a phone call telling you to put your best pitcher, hitter, base runner, or fielder on a plane to the big club. Right now.
It’s a tough life, especially on married managers. The season stretches over six months with much of that time on the road. A normal home life is largely fantasy. Brown and Butler handle that much the same way. Brown will see his wife (six years with kids in the planning stage) at least every three weeks. Butler (28 years, four grown children) is on a 10-day schedule.
They’ve been able to make it work and both credit “special ladies” who understand the lifestyle and support it.
Both are proud to be at the Triple-A level, just one step away from the major leagues. Neither have set timelines, but both would like to have a shot at the “Big Show.”
For right now, they’re busy being the best they can be under difficult circumstances. They are part baseball people, part psychologists, part baby sitters, part father figures, part disciplinarians, part motivators. And full-time former Savage baseball players.
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