Simmons Field Hot List: Torre Tyson, career minor league coach

Getting to Know Torre Tyson

We're taking a look at some of the likely candidates for the Missouri Baseball Head Coach job, recently vacated by Tim Jamieson. Torre Tyson, for Mizzou 2B, is an intriguing candidate.

Career

• Certified Player Agent, Boras Corporation (2015-2016)
• Assistant Coach in the Baltimore Orioles organization, (13-14)
• Several coaching positions in the NY Yankees minor league system (03-12), including Assistant Coach with the Staten Island Yankees, GCL Yankees, and Charleston Riverdogs; Head coach, Charleston Riverdogs 07-10; Minor League Defensive Coordinator, 11-12
• Drafted in 1998 by the Boston Red Sox; Red Sox org, 98-99; River City Rascals, 99; NY Yankess org, 00-02

Mighty Deeds

During Tyson's years as a manager in the Yankees' minor leagues, he had great success. From milb.com:

In 2010, the 35-year-old Tyson managed the Tampa Yankees of the High-A Florida State League to its second straight league championship and his first title as manager. Earning those accolades was the culmination of a career in Charleston that saw him leave as the winningest manager in RiverDogs team history. From 2007-09, Tyson posted an overall record of 232-186 (.555 winning percentage) while directing the RiverDogs to three straight winning campaigns as part of seven straight winning seasons dating back to 2003. In 2009, the team notched a 74-65 record, including a victory on June 29 where Tyson collected his 200th victory as RiverDogs manager. In 2008, Tyson guided the RiverDogs to an 80-59 overall record, tying the franchise record for victories in a single season

Missouri/Midwest Connections

Tyson was the lead off hitter/spark plug for MU from 95-98, leading the team in stolen bases. He wore #13, which prompted Superfan Larry Wyatt to call him "Lucky 13".

Tyson is from St. Louis, the son of former St. Louis Cardinal Mike Tyson, who named his son after one of his best friends, Joe Torre.

Does he see Mizzou as a destination job?

Tyson obviously reached the conclusion after the 2014 season that his coaching career in the minor leagues was not making progress toward the major leagues. His choice at the time was to shift away from the on-field side of the game and go to work for Scott Boras, putting his scouting skills and personality to work in that field.

He just might be interested in the Mizzou head coaching job: It's his alma mater, it's close to where he grew up, and it's the SEC.

Can he coach?

Tyson has plenty of experience coaching young prospects. He knows what a top major league organization expects from players and would likely run a college program like a minor league program, preparing players for a professional future. His coaching experience has focused on hitters and fielders.

Can he recruit?

High school players would be intrigued by the chance to play for a coach who has coached for the Yankees and Orioles organizations, as well as having worked for Scott Boras. Tyson's experience means he knows how to see a raw recruit and evaluate how well he projects positively for pro skills. His exuberant personality would be an asset to recruiting.

Has he been to Omaha?

No.His lack of any college coaching experience is the biggest negative on his resume.

Is he the coach to take Mizzou to a higher level in the SEC?

He could be. His lack of college coaching experience could be a plus, giving him an outside-the-box approach to the game. He definitely has the personality and energy to be engaging as the face of Mizzou Baseball. On the other hand, that exuberant personality might be a little too unfiltered for the recently emerging culture of the Mizzou Athletic Department.

Notes & Links

At one time Tyson was involved with Albert Pujols' off-season training, as detailed in Former RiverDogs manager Torre Tyson mentioned (milb.com)

It is not Tyson's job to offer opinions. His instructions are to throw the ball hard, down the middle, for as many swings as Pujols needs. He feeds Albert roughly 125 pitches every morning but Sunday. Tyson has been doing this for three winters, since he and Pujols met at the public facility, and the two have developed an easy familiarity. So after two blood-soaked batting gloves and a roll of athletic tape, Tyson speaks up. "Albert, you know you don't have to keep hitting," he says. "We can stop now."

Tyson's exuberant personality would be quite a change from the generally subdued Tim Jamieson. His willingness to contribute to an "enhanced fan experience" is on display in Torre Tyson and player show up Charlie T Riverdog with Soulja Boy dance

Those who remember Torre "Big Guns" Tyson as a fiery Mizzou player won't be surprised by Charleston Riverdogs coach gets tossed (YouTube.com)

Here's a 2013 interview with Torre Tyson after he moved to the Orioles' organization.  His personality comes through, especially in the final 3-4 minutes.

And here's an old feature from 1998, the year he set the all-time Mizzou single season stolen base record (37) that still stands, He also holds the career SB record, at 79.

Fast Company: Tyson steals advice from best source (Columbia Tribune, May 12, 1998)

Another attempt to get into shape was foiled this AM- I couldn't find a spoon for my Chobani yogurt. Used a Snickers bar to scoop it out. — Tys (@13tys) May 13, 2014