Charlie Montoyo and the importance of the human element

Former Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo was introduced as the Toronto Blue Jays’ new manager on Monday afternoon at a press conference at Rogers Centre. Photo Credit: Toronto Blue Jays/Twitter

By Lucas Casaletto

Canadian Baseball Network

Charlie Montoyo knows that the game of baseball is perpetually evolving. It might explain why he was passed over so many times before with front offices seeking out younger candidates to fill its roles. It’s also why Montoyo, who was officially introduced on Monday as the Toronto Blue Jays’ 13th manager in team history, admitted to being an old-school blend, one willing to explore and incorporate analytics when need be.

In other words, he’s open-minded.

“I think using both makes you a better manager,” Montoyo told reporters, including the Canadian Baseball Network.

“I wouldn’t say I am one way or the other. Wherever I can find useful information, that is where I am going to go. I wouldn’t call myself that (strictly analytics-driven). I am a blend."

This isn’t Montoyo’s first rodeo. Far from it. What he lacks in major-league experience, he makes up for in player development, thanks to years spent with the Tampa Bay Rays. While he might not be young like Alex Cora, who just won a World Series in his first season in Boston, or Rocco Baldelli - who was interviewed by the Blue Jays before accepting a position with the Minnesota Twins - Montoyo has been around the game long enough to let his credentials speak for themselves. Baseball background aside, it’s not hard to see why the Blue Jays are so fond of the 53-year-old from Florida, Puerto Rico.

“This is a really proud moment for myself and for the Toronto Blue Jays,” Atkins told the Canadian Baseball Network.

“We certainly knew where Charlie had been. I was a farm director (in Cleveland) in 2007 when Charlie was with the Durham Bulls, and I remember watching him across the field and thinking, year in and year out, that this individual is doing an excellent job.”

Toronto Blue Jays’ new manager Charlie Montoyo managed the triple-A Durham Bulls from 2007 to 2014.

Montoyo managed the Bulls from 2007 to 2014. In that time, he helped guide his team to five finals appearances, winning two championships. He was instrumental in the progress of then-notable Rays prospects David Price, Chris Archer, Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Kevin Kiermaier and Alex Colome, among many others. He left to become the parent club’s third base coach in 2015 and was later named to the International League Hall of Fame, entering with the Bulls record for regular season wins (633).

“I was asking our managers, at the time Torey Lovullo and Chris Tremie, tell me about Charlie Montoyo,” Atkins said. "They would always talk about his competitiveness, they would always talk about his leadership, they would always talk about the things I mentioned, like the results he had, and they would always, always talk about the person, and the character, and how good of a person he was. This is a very competitive world we’re in, and that is uncommon."

The public can't judge or predict the final product. It’s far too early for that. But if Montoyo proved anything at his introductory press conference, answering questions in front of media members and his new bosses, it’s that he possesses immeasurable individual qualities and shares the same vision as Atkins and team President Mark Shapiro: winning.

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With the Blue Jays in a state of transition, the roster is expected to look entirely different now compared to when pitchers and catchers report in a few months. Some veterans will remain, others will leave, but the focus for the club will be on the development and growth of its talented prospects.

What Montoyo offers in comparison to other candidates, is his familiarity in coaching youthful athletes. He knows their habits. He was involved in their day-to-day lives. He’s practiced with them, coached them, mentored them. That takes patience. It takes commitment. In that regard, Montoyo is precisely the kind of manager the Blue Jays need.

“He’s a difference maker. He really helped me ease my nerves and trust my stuff throughout the year,” Rays left-hander Blake Snell told the Network.

“Charlie was like a father figure to a lot of us. Kevin (Cash) trusted him more than anyone and the results spoke for themselves. I think a lot of other guys would say the same.”

Charlie Montoyo (middle) was Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash’s (left) bench coach last season. Rocco Baldelli (right) served as the Rays’ field coordinator in 2018, but has since been hired to manage the Minnesota Twins.

Montoyo is a family man, a husband and a father to two boys. After being introduced by Atkins, he immediately spoke of his hometown and how happy they were that he had become a manager. He thanked those close to him, and concluded by speaking of his Tyson and Alex, which he says are expected to be big fans of the Blue Jays.

It was early on in the press conference that Montoyo was asked about what the positive reaction to news of his hiring meant to him. There’s been a lot of it.

“When they told me I was going to be the next manager, it’s the reaction from friends and all the baseball people,” Montoyo said.

"One phone call that touched me a lot, and I shared it with Mark and Ross was Don Zimmer’s wife. She said Don, in heaven, would be so proud of you right now because you did it the right way. You coached in the minor leagues, and now you’re managing in the big leagues. We are so proud of you. That touched me, but there’s plenty more of good phone calls and texts. Me being the kind of guy (that I am), I replied to all of them, because I don’t want people to say I changed already.”

It’s easy to see, then, why Montoyo left such a good impression on the Blue Jays. The analytics will come and be a part of what the club does moving forward. Not every manager is perfect. It’s a cynical world, an imperfect game. But Montoyo, whose ability to speak Spanish, is sure to be of benefit with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., among other Latino players. For others, his ability to connect on a personal level is key.

“He’s a special guy, man,” Snell added. “I know a lot of the players are happy for him and Rocco. It’s tough to lose coaches like those guys. They make you feel welcome and comfortable.”

Old dog, new tricks might be one of the best idioms to define Montoyo at this point of his career. All those years spent managing in the minors and seeing other candidates take jobs above him never seemed to throw him off his game. He admitted to always keeping his eye on the prize, focusing solely on the position he was in, not ones that might be coming down the road.

“I say this all the time whether or not people believe me, but it’s true. I never thought about managing in the majors,” Montoyo admitted. "When I was with the Bulls, my focus stayed the same. Then I was hired to be the third base coach, and I only thought about that. Same with bench coach. I truly never looked ahead, and I mean that.”

Baseball is always evolving, that’s the beauty of it. But Montoyo exemplifies something more important than just numbers and experience. He’s a quality human being, and in today’s world, that trumps anything else on a resume.

“I want to take this moment to tell all these minor league guys that are grinding it out right now, just keep doing your job and keep teaching those players, you never know. If a guy like me got here, it can be you, too."