Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
49ers GM Baalke a stickler for taking care of details
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 - 7:45am
Follow @maioccocsn

General manager Trent Baalke is a complex person. He gathers information about others -- and other teams -- while refusing to let information about the 49ers to escape from the walls of their Santa Clara offices.

He is not warm. He despises small talk. And he is meticulous and tidy.

Greg Bedard of MMQB, in his spot-on profile of Baalke, writes:

“If Baalke lacks anything, it’s charisma. What most people see is what they get. He’s borderline OCD about working out and maintaining his physical appearance. He’s a neat-freak who organizes reporters’ recording devices by size before starting press conferences.”

And that immediately made me recall my favorite Baalke story.

In September of 2011, the 49ers practiced for a week in Youngstown, Ohio, between games at Cincinnati and Philadelphia. On one of those days, 49ers CEO Jed York and Baalke visited York’s old high school, Cardinal Mooney.

Both men spoke to the athletes. Then, York led a tour around campus to look at the facilities and reconnect with some of the faculty. Baalke was fidgety and anxious. He wanted to be back at the team hotel to watch film. He said he’d just wait out front of the school for the tour to conclude.

Thirty minutes later, when York and a handful of reporters were ready to return to the hotel, there was Baalke in front of the school with several piles of weeds at his feet.

The sight of thistle poking up through the paved driveway in front of the school bothered Baalke so much, he began weeding -- without any gloves, of course. After he completed the driveway, he moved on to address any other blemishes he saw in the landscaping.

He was much more content remaining behind the scenes and taking care of the little details.

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

YSTL: Sabean: Giants got what they wanted with first two draft picks
YSTL: Sabean: 'We're playing above what anyone could've predicted'
YSTL: 1-on-1 for former Giants closer Robb Nen
HummBB: Belt resuming on-field drills, testing thumb

Giants

Instant Replay: Offense comes up empty against Nationals
Casilla to begin rehab assignment
Giants lineup: Pagan back in leadoff spot
NL West: Cuddyer to DL with fractured shoulder socket
Read More

Athletics

Sterling's statement reads like a Deadwood monologue
LIVE: A's vs. Angels -- Extras
'Heavy hearts' for Bob Welch's former teammates
A's lineup: Norris back behind dish, Blanks at first
Read More

Sharks

Sharks' Couture undergoes offseason hand surgery
Report: Thornton 'might re-think' if Sharks fans don't want him
Sharks hopeful to re-sign forward Mike Brown
Quick, Kings shut out Rangers, within one win of Cup
Read More

49ers

OTAs: Rough day for 49ers passing game
Quarterback-guru Whitfield joins 49ers as intern
Dalton on Kap contract: 'I feel the same way; I'm confident'
Levi's Stadium sets new standard for use of recycled water
Read More

Raiders

Raiders should benefit from Branch's return
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (6.10.14)
Raiders OTA recap: McFadden kickoff return man?
Allen happy Raiders survived charity basketball game
Read More

Warriors

Spurs roll to 111-92 victory over Heat, take 2-1 series lead
Shelly Sterling heads to court seeking emergency order
Five things to watch in Game 3 of NBA Finals
Kerr will coach Warriors at NBA Summer League
Read More

NCAA

NCAA reaches $20 million settlement of video game claims
Former SJSU OL diagnosed with lymphoma
NCAA suit goes to trial, could reshape college athletics
Stanford falls to Vanderbilt in Super Regional
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Instant Replay: Offense comes up empty against Nationals
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Casilla to begin rehab assignment
(1)
Giants lineup: Pagan back in leadoff spot
(2)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

YSTL: Sabean: Giants got what they wanted with first two draft picks
YSTL: Sabean: Giants got what they wanted with first two draft picks
See more >

GIANTS TALK

NL West: Cuddyer to DL with fractured shoulder socket
Rewind: Nats, Strasburg deal Giants worst loss of season

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Instant Replay: Offense comes up empty against Nationals
  • Casilla to begin rehab assignment
  • Rewind: Nats, Strasburg deal Giants worst loss of season
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets
  • Insider Joe Stiglich

Latest News

Sterling's statement reads like a Deadwood monologue
Ratto: The Miserablist

More Stories

LIVE: A's vs. Angels -- Extras
(1)
'Heavy hearts' for Bob Welch's former teammates
(2)
See more >

A's VIDEO

YSTL: What does Bob Welch mean to the game of baseball?
YSTL: What does Bob Welch mean to the game of baseball?
See more >

A's TALK

A's lineup: Norris back behind dish, Blanks at first
What they're saying: A's great Bob Welch passes away

A's INSIDER

  • 'Heavy hearts' for Bob Welch's former teammates
  • Former A's Cy Young winner Bob Welch passes at 57
  • Orioles' Machado suspended for throwing bat at A's
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Sharks' Couture undergoes offseason hand surgery
(3)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Report: Thornton 'might re-think' if Sharks fans don't want him
(35)
Sharks hopeful to re-sign forward Mike Brown
(20)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

YSTL: Wilson: Thornton, Marleau are still high-end players
YSTL: Wilson: Thornton, Marleau are still high-end players
See more >

Features

Quick, Kings shut out Rangers, within one win of Cup
Report: Slim to no chance Boyle signs with Islanders

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks' Couture undergoes offseason hand surgery
  • Sharks hopeful to re-sign forward Mike Brown
  • Analyst says Sharks will win Stanley Cup next year
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Spurs roll to 111-92 victory over Heat, take 2-1 series lead
Associated Press

More Stories

Shelly Sterling heads to court seeking emergency order
(1)
Five things to watch in Game 3 of NBA Finals
(1)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: Donald Sterling most hated man in America?
YSTL: Donald Sterling most hated man in America?
See more >

Features

Kerr will coach Warriors at NBA Summer League
Report: Warriors' Ezeli cleared for action

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Kerr will coach Warriors at NBA Summer League
  • Dunks, Dimes and Treys: Warriors still building
  • NBA Finals preview: Duncan, Spurs will beat Heat
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Terry suspects Spurs of 'foul play' in A/C outage
(6)
ProBasketballTalk

More Stories

Report: Kings looking to convince Gay to exercise option
Sacramento City Council approves Kings' new arena plan
(8)
See more >

Watch

Malone: First season as Kings coach full of its 'ups and downs'
Malone: First season as Kings coach full of its 'ups and downs'
See more >

Features

NBA Draft Lottery unkind to Kings
NBA's biggest losers look for lottery win

Fantasy Hoops

  • Fantasy news, analysis, draft guide, cheatsheets, projections & more
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

OTAs: Rough day for 49ers passing game
(47)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Quarterback-guru Whitfield joins 49ers as intern
(15)
Dalton on Kap contract: 'I feel the same way; I'm confident'
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Harbaugh explains the benefits of having a QB-guru
Harbaugh explains the benefits of having a QB-guru
See more >

DRAFT CENTRAL

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Raiders should benefit from Branch's return
(1)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (6.10.14)
Raiders OTA recap: McFadden kickoff return man?
(16)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

YSTL: Will Raiders have new kick returner?
YSTL: Will Raiders have new kick returner?
See more >

DRAFT CENTRAL

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Raiders should benefit from Branch's return
  • Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (6.10.14)
  • Raiders OTA recap: McFadden kickoff return man?
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

World Cup: Heat will be on, US team is happy
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

US World Cup team arrives in Brazil
USMNT defeats Nigeria 2-1 in World Cup send-off match
See more >

Watch

Quakes' Wondolowski, Goodson proud to represent US
Quakes' Wondolowski, Goodson proud to represent US
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Instant Replay: Offense comes up empty against Nationals
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Kerr will coach Warriors at NBA Summer League
(8)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

OTAs: Rough day for 49ers passing game
(47)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders should benefit from Branch's return
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks' Couture undergoes offseason hand surgery
(3)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

'Heavy hearts' for Bob Welch's former teammates
(2)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Bob Welch's legacy will live on in death

TOP STORIES

  • Spurs roll to 111-92 victory over Heat, take 2-1 series lead
  • Instant Replay: Offense comes up empty against Nationals
  • Sterling's statement reads like a Deadwood monologue

Say Hey Tuesdays

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR SWEEPSTAKES!

Alameda County Fair

Enter here to win two free wristbands to Alameda County Fair!

 

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

Stanford falls to Vanderbilt in Super Regional
Walk-off home run keeps Stanford's season alive

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

YSTL: Sabean: Giants got what they wanted with first two draft picks
YSTL: Sabean: Giants got what they wanted with first two draft picks
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California