Athletics' Mark Kotsay, Angels' Phil Nevin could use some advice, magic to turn around struggling teams

An open letter to the late, great Augie Garrido:

Dear Augie,

I don’t know exactly how you get news up there, but hopefully you know that two of your most decorated players are now managing in the major leagues!  Yep, both Mark Kotsay and Phil Nevin have jobs that you should have had anytime in your illustrious career.

I hope it brings you a strong sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that at least those two have made it to the top of the mountain in the game.

I know, it was always a puzzlement that you never got that opportunity after winning five NCAA championships at Cal State Fullerton (three) and Texas (two) as well as chalking up a record (at the time) 1,975 wins. 

As a LA Times sportswriter, I covered your teams for many years and always believed you were the best coach – in any sport – in the country. You were a masterful motivator, a charismatic leader and a brilliant strategist.  You were part teacher, part philosopher, but always a coach!

Your best players like Kotsay and Nevin always played their best in the biggest games. 

But the Angels never called – nor did anyone else in the majors.  

Kotsay hit .422 and won the Golden Spikes Award at Fullerton playing for you in 1995 and Nevin hit .402 with 22 home runs in 1992 and also won the Golden Spikes, emblematic of the best player in the country.  They were terrific collegians and both had long and solid major league playing careers.

But I’m writing this to you because your guys are in trouble.  They need some advice, direction and, let’s face it, magic.

Kotsay is in his first season managing the talent-poor Oakland A’s and they just went through a miserable 2-16 stretch.  Nevin is the interim Angel manager after the popular Joe Maddon was fired in the midst of a 14-game losing streak. Help!

The A’s are 23-45 as of Tuesday morning and 19 games out of first place.  The Angels are 33-37, 10 games behind.  Not good, Coach, not good at all!

It’s been four years since you left us, too early at 79.   Kotsay and Nevin were among those who brilliantly eulogized you, exhibiting admiration, appreciation and love.  I, too, was among those who honored you and always counted you one of the best friends I was lucky enough to have in my life.

I miss you, but likely not as much as your ex-players now trying to find that Augie magic in running things in the majors.

Your buddy, Pete

Pete Donovan is a Palm Desert resident and former Los Angeles Times sports reporter. He can be reached at pwdonovan22@yahoo.com