Q&A with A's Hall of Famer Dave Stewart

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MESA, Ariz. -- Athletics Hall of Famer Dave Stewart has been in camp with the team since the start of Spring Training, and you can expect to see him around much more often this season after the club hired him on Jan. 22 as a special assistant to player development.

Ahead of the A’s workout at Hohokam Stadium on Friday, Stewart sat down to talk about his new role and returning to the organization he led to a World Series championship in 1989.

MLB.com: You were recently hired as the special assistant to player development. What does that role entail?

Stewart: Nobody’s putting any restrictions on me. I’ve been everything in baseball except a manager. I think what the organization is trying to do, and what I would like to do, is kind of fit into the different areas where I can lend experience and knowledge. I believe that’s what we’re trying to accomplish. I’m not locked into just pitching, because I know more than just pitching. From whatever avenue I can be of help is the way I’ve talked to them about how I want to do that. That includes even occasionally going out to scout and all of that. It’s kind of a jack of all trades. That’s how I look at it. I’m not pigeonholed into anything. I’ll travel and go see the affiliates. Go to the [Dominican Republic]. Spend time with the big league club. Spend time here in Arizona. All of that.

MLB.com: You will get to work closely with director of player development Ed Sprague, your teammate with the Blue Jays from 1993-94. What do you think of reuniting with him?

Stewart: This is a different look. It’s kind of crazy. When we were teammates in Toronto, I was the old guy. I had a couple of years, and I was on my way out. Although he wasn’t a rookie, you’re always a rookie to the veteran. In this role, really having an opportunity to get to know him from the executive side, he has a great responsibility. This organization traditionally has done well in its Minor League system. … He has taken his job very seriously. More importantly, he’s looked at the tradition of what the organization has done and the people that have been around him to help guide him on the right path.

He’s taken a little bit of that plus his own style and knowledge of being a professional player at the Major League level, and he’s instilling that in this system. I think he’s doing a great job. The last few days, I’ve had a chance to sit down and talk with him, and he’s really knowledgeable with a clear understanding of how baseball should be played from the bottom level in [Rookie-level] Arizona all the way to the top level in Triple-A. I’m impressed with how he’s going about his business and the leadership he’s provided for the Minor League system.

MLB.com: Since your playing career ended, you’ve been a pitching coach, an assistant general manager, a GM, an agent and a TV analyst. What have you learned from the experience of so many different jobs in the game?

Stewart: You don’t get to hang around this long unless you respected the game. I feel honored to be able to be around the game now for 51 or 52 years, both playing and after. Baseball, if they don’t want you, they’ll kick you out. I’ve been able to stay around it in the different roles that I’ve been able to play. I’ve been able to maintain a certain level of respect around the league with the different organizations. I’ve done something right to still be around.

MLB.com: This team is coming into camp with high expectations. What are your expectations for the 2025 A’s?

Stewart: If this young group of players continues to adjust and mature and learn in the game, I think they have a chance to be good. I don’t want to throw out that they’re going to be .500 or better than .500. I don’t know that. But this is a special group of kids that [general manager] David Forst and company have done things to show they want to compete.

You think back to 2018 when they said they were going to rebuild. They played the game right, pitched well, were well managed by Bob Melvin, and all the pieces fell in place and they won 97 games. So, you never know. When you do all the things right, anything can happen. I like the pitching staff. … I think this team, player for player, is better than last year’s team. But the key is how you go about your business and how you play the game. If they play the game like they’re capable and learn and apply those lessons, this is a team you’ve got to watch out for.