APPLETON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers named Joe Ayrault as their new manager on Tuesday.
Who is Joe Ayrault? Let’s go to the scouting report.
Playing background: The Atlanta Braves drafted him in the fifth round of the 1990 draft out of Sarasota High School in Florida. He was with the Braves his entire career, including having a spot on the Braves’ postseason roster in 1996, when they made it to the World Series before losing to the New York Yankees.
He appeared in seven major league games as a catcher.
“Got a little smell of coffee in the big leagues," he said. “Call it a cup of coffee."
Managing philosophy: “I mean, the biggest thing is forming a relationship with your players," he said. “Creating a good environment for your players. I’m big, day one, having a talk with our players; ‘This is going to be our home for the summer. This is going to be our clubhouse.’"
“I like to treat it like a house. I want the players to feel like they’re brothers, no matter where they’re from; backgrounds, different cultures, races, you name it. Once we’re there, we’re in it. You know, it’s go time. We’re a family, playing hard, playing the game the right way. And just putting these guys in good situations to succeed."
His time with the Brewers’ organization: He has managed the Helena Brewers (Pioneer League 2010-11), the Brevard County Manatees (2012-2016), and Carolina Mudcats (2017-2021).
“They’ve treated me like gold since I got there," he said. “Day one. Proud of the direction we’re going and excited for new scenery up there in Wisconsin. Heard nothing but good things about the front office, the town [Appleton] and everybody says I’m going to be a great fit in there and I’m going to love being there."
His philosophy of player development versus teaching players how to win: “I don’t know if it’s so much teaching them how to win, it’s taking pride in winning,’’ he said. “When we’re out there, we’re working on player development. I mean, for an example, Jay Bruce [who recently retired after a 14-year major league career] was a first-round pick. I managed him in ‘A’ ball [in 2007]. You know, fifth inning, he didn’t run a ball out; took him out of the game. And his spot in the order came up late in the game. We would have won the game if Jay Bruce was still in that lineup but, from a development standpoint, to teach a guy lesson that might be for his best benefit. It’s funny that Jay Bruce’s mom called me after the game and was like, ‘Joe, is Jay hurt?’ ‘No ma’am, took him out of the game because he didn’t hustle.'"
“So there are certain aspects of development. You’ve got to teach guys certain things, so when they get up there under the big lights and the third deck in the big leagues, they’re not making those same types of mistakes."
“But I take pride in winning. I don’t like losing in cards to my kids. So it’s one of those things. No matter what I’m doing, I’m very competitive and every team I’ve ever had the players are competitive. They play to win, and I can tell you this, we’ll be getting after it every night."
On his relationship with Matt Erickson, the Appleton native who managed the Timber Rattlers for 11 seasons: "Matty and I are tight," he said. “He’s great. And we’re, I would say same mold-type. I mean, we’re pretty much baseball grinders.
“Matty said he was going to leave his deer head up in his office for me, so I’ll feel right at home in his office. And we’re on the same page as far as player development, being active in the community, whether it be fan relations, anything off the field, that type of stuff, but same mold."
On his preparations for the season as Major League Baseball remains in a lockout: "I’m down here in Florida right now," he said. “But I’m going to be leaving here [Feb.] 17th or 18th. So next week, I’m going to drive up to Appleton and then fly from Appleton to Arizona [the Brewers’ spring training home] on the 21st. So, I might have a day or two to check out the town, hang out, meet the front office and all that stuff before I fly out. But really looking forward to seeing the guys, my co-workers, and getting back to work."
“I’m hoping the weather’s good for this drive. I think the last time I drove in snow was Helena, Montana in 2010. But I’ll be cruising up, hopefully a nice, easy trip in there. But really looking forward to it, looking forward to the town. Maybe get some fishing in."
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