A few thoughts on the hiring of Ken Macha as the new manager of the Milwaukee Brewers:

Small ball: Apparently, Macha is not a fan of the art of the bunt unless it's a close game in the late innings and one run can make a difference. "You get 27 outs and you have to protect those outs … or you're doing a favor to the other team.''

No coddling: Former manager Ned Yost was considered a "players manager,'' sometimes to the point that he would stick with a player too long. Don't expect that from Macha. "The job of the manager is not to be the buddy of the players,'' he said. "Sometimes the view of the player is different than the manager's.''

Back in time: Macha referred to himself as "kind of the hot guy on the block'' back in 2002 when he interviewed for five jobs for the 2003 season, including the Brewers. General manager Doug Melvin wanted to hire Macha and went to Yost only after Macha took the Oakland job. Macha, who had been the bench coach for the A's, said, "With my familiarity with the Oakland A's, it was kind of a no brainer.''

On Dale Sveum: Macha repeatedly referred to Sveum as "Del'' but seemed prepared to keep the former interim manager on staff. "This is a great opportunity to help the club win and get my recommendation and Doug's recommendation'' for a future managing job.

As dry as the desert: If reporters are looking to fill their notebooks with cute quips, they are going to have to go elsewhere. To his credit, Macha answers questions directly but he doesn't do it with the flare of a Lou Piniella or Ozzie Guillen. "We're pretty boring people,'' Melvin said, "but we do love baseball.''