Kaat Blasts Twins for Releasing Coaches
MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL (AP) - The reverberations over the Minnesota Twins' letting coaches John Sain and Hal Naragon depart for Detroit may still be rattling around the clubhouse when the Twins go to spring training in February.
Jim Kaat, the Twins' 25-game winner this season, dropped a bombshell in the explosive situation Wednesday night by making public what he called an "open letter to the fans of the Upper Midwest."
In it, he said letting Sain get away was "like the Green Bay Packers allowing Vince Lombardi to leave them" and hinted that he might have preferred to see Manager Sam Mele go.
Kaat concluded his dissertation with this remark:
"If I were ever in a position of general manager, I'd give John Sain a 'name - your - own - figure' contract to handle my pitchers. (And, oh yes, I'd hire a manager who could take advantage of his talents)." The parentheses were Kaat's.
Kaat's blast is certain to heap coal on the fire for a team already split by
dissension as a result of the Sain-Billy Martin feud of the past two seasons which culminated Tuesday in Sain and Naragon signing contracts with the Tigers.
Contacted in Los Angeles where is he is attending the World Series, Owner Calvin Griffith said Kaat's comments were regrettable, but "there isn't anything more we can do about it. Sain and Naragon are now working for Detroit."
Mele shot back, "Frankly, I don't feel Kaat knows everything about this situation."
Kaat said Sain was "the finest pitching coach money can buy, and now, suddenly, he's gone." He said he's "afraid this will to be known as a 'great mistake.' From a player's standpoint, I am qualified to say that this is the worst thing that could happen to our club at this time."
Already brewing was speculation that Mele may have put himself on the spot to win a pennant in '67 or face a quick dismissal by Griffith.
Griffith hints yes, but Mele says he doesn't look at it that way.
JIM KAAT, MINNESOTA PITCHER