Former Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart doesn’t seem to be too upset over his recent firing.
In a move that’s been long expected, Arizona announced the ousting of Stewart as GM and Chip Hale as the team’s manager on Monday, the day after it completed a 69-win 2016 regular season.
OFFICIAL: The #Dbacks have parted ways with Sr. Vice President & GM Dave Stewart and Manager Chip Hale.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 3, 2016
In his first interview since being axed, the former AL Cy Young winner didn’t show himself to be too upset over the firing.
“They may think I’m going to blast people, but I’m not,’’ said Stewart, via USA Today. “It is what it is. It’s that side of the business. To be honest with you, I’m kind of relieved. Quite frankly, I’ve got better things to do.’’
Stewart was fired after just two seasons on the job. This came on the heels of previous stints as a pitching coach and within the front office of multiple teams around the baseball world.
It was somewhat of an odd transition to the player personnel department for Stewart, especially after he started up his own sports agency, representing the likes of Eric Chavez, among others.
Still, it’s rather interesting to see someone who was shown the door not show any ill-feelings towards those who fired him.
Then again, the man that had to break the news to Stewart is among his closest friends. Of course, were’ talking about Diamondbacks chief baseball officer Tony LaRussa, who seemingly survived the front office shakeup.
Stewart’s short-lived tenure in the desert ended wuth a thud after the team exhausted a ton of capital to add pitchers Shelby Miller and Zach Greinke during the winter.
It’s in this, especially after a 90-plus loss season, that most figured Stewart would be out of a job.