"Bob Melvin saw the not-so-upbeat portrayal of former A's manager Art Howe by Oscar winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and he playfully was asked if he still wants to work for Billy Beane.

"I do," said Melvin, who recalled a scene in Monday's "Moneyball" premiere indicating a tense relationship between Beane and Howe. "I did see that chair come flying out of the manager's office."

Hired June 9 as the A's interim manager, Melvin will stick around longer term after agreeing to a three-year contract that will be announced this week, according to the Associated Press.

It's no surprise. Based on recent interviews, players have been impressed with Melvin from the day he replaced fired Bob Geren amid a 10-game losing streak, immediately setting a different tone by opening up lines of communication and identifying roles."