Brewers fire Ned Yost with 12 games remaining

The Milwaukee Brewers have cut all ties with manager Ned Yost as of Monday afternoon by firing him. Yost is taking the fall for the Brewers, who have dropped seven of their last 10, including four straight. In the absence of Yost, third base coach Dale Sveum will guide Milwaukee for the remainder of the season.

It’s hard to imagine any organization that is so desperate to make the playoffs would fire their manager with only a few weeks remaining in the season. The Brew Crew seemed to have a new energy after acquiring C.C. Sabathia, yet have fallen on hard times as of late. Milwaukee is tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League Wild Card lead, with the Houston Astros just two-and-one-half games back.

The Brewers have never made a playoff appearance in the NL and their last visit to the postseason came in 1982, when Yost was still playing for the team. Ironically, the Brewers were forced into making a coaching change during that season as well. After a lackluster start to the ‘82 season, Buck Rogers was fired and replaced by hitting coach Harvey Keunn, who lead Milwaukee to the postseason.

Sure, this move seems like the Brewers are scrambling and in a panic. However, General Manager Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he wants the players to get motivated by the move.

My take? I don’t think it was the right time. With 12 games left in the season, this is not the time to fire your manager. It will cost the Brewers a postseason birth. You can count on it.

Image: Newscom