 February 4, 2010 - By Dennis Silva II
Laredo Morning Times
In one of the biggest coups in franchise history, the Laredo Broncos, an independent baseball club, announced on Wednesday night the hiring of Dan Firova, the “Tony La Russa” of Mexican League managers.
Firova, a Laredo resident, will be on contract this season, with a manager’s option for 2011. He will have full control over baseball decisions.
“He started managing in the Mexican League since ‘93 and he’s won everywhere he’s been,” Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez said. “That’s what they called him in Mexico – ‘the Tony La Russa of the Mexican League.’ He’s real strict, disciplined and he wants to win at every level. The players who play for him go above and beyond.
“He’s a guy who makes things happen.”
La Russa is the famed manager of Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals and is highly revered in the game.
An opportunistic challenge
Firova, 53, comes to the Broncos after a highly successful career managing in Mexico, where he won four championships – including three in a row in Mexico City – and missed the playoffs just four times in his 20 years.
In 2000, he was named Mexican League Manager of the Year. He managed, played and coached with Los Dos Laredos Tecolotes.
A former Major League catcher with the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners, Firova managed the Tecos to a Mexican World Series in 1993 and was a bench coach last year in Cancun, helping bring the team one game away from a championship.
“It’s an opportunity that’s a challenge, and I like challenges,” Firova said of the Broncos. “It’s a big challenge … my first year working in organized baseball in the U.S., and I feel I have experience to take on this challenge.”
Looking to rebound
The Broncos went through a miserable 2009 campaign, claiming a 23-57 record under then-manager Ricardo Cuevas, who was told in late January he would not return to the club.
The Broncos have made the playoffs just once in their four years and have hired four managers during that time.
Still, the decision to come to Laredo was not a difficult one for Firova.
“Last year, I coached,” Firova said. “I didn’t manage, but I like to manage. Cancun wanted me as a coach again, and I told them if an opportunity came for me to manage a team, that’s what I would like to do.”
“Firova’s been our No. 1 choice since day one,” he said. “Every single year. He’s just always had better offers, but finally he’s agreed to come.
“Hopefully, he’ll become a fixture and the face of the team. I want him to be a staple for us, and I’m confident he can be that.”
Finding his guys
Now comes the hard part, which is finding the perfect mix of players once the season starts in May.
Two years ago, under Shwam, the Broncos went with a veteran-laden squad that eventually proved to be irresponsible and apathetic down the stretch.
Firova’s idea of a player that fits his style is simple.
“I’ll bring in players who I feel can help our team, talent-wise,” he said. “If their attitudes don’t fit in with us, they won’t be here. I want players to work hard with a team mind-set.”
For current Broncos players, the hire was a breath of fresh air.
“It’s a big deal,” infielder Ryan Flynn said. “He has a great track record. Last season, we were missing team discipline and I think that’s what (Firova) brings.
“It’s what we need. We didn’t have that last year and we embarrassed Jose and Laredo.
“(Firova) has a lot of good things he’ll bring to Laredo.”
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