Still More on Hillman Last Night
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2009 11:21 AM CDT
96 comments
Because the earlier post generated so much discussion, I thought it might be of interest to take a look at what some other folks around the interwebs who follow the Royals closely have to say. Like Joe Posnanski:
I’m not even going to write about Royals manager Trey Hillman … well, not entirely. I think it’s fair to say that Trey has not yet figured out how he will use the bullpen — and that’s probably not a good thing since, as far as I can tell, these games count in the standings. I remember Bill James wrote that it really would make sense for every big league manager to spend time simulating hundreds and hundreds of baseball games on a computer. People took that wrong; Bill was not saying that managers could LEARN about their teams from playing these simulations. What he was saying by playing these games again and again, some parts of the game would become second nature — he was saying they should simulate baseball games for the same reason that astronauts simulate and race car drivers and pilots and so on. I suspect if Trey had done that, he would not have left Kyle Farnsworth in on Opening Day to face Jim Thome when he had a fresh lefty in the bullpen. I suspect if Trey had done that, he would not have used a fresh bullpen in the odd way he used it Sunday.* * *
But I don’t get this. I just don’t. Leaving Soria in the pen on Sunday to me was an affront — Joakim Soria was a gift. If you don’t pitch him, you are wasting that gift. And wasting gifts — that’s about the most frustrating thing in sports. Life too.
Or Rany Jazayerli:
Joakim Soria is out indefinitely with an apparent inability to pitch.
I say “apparent” because there has no been no confirmation from the Royals on the subject. I hesitate to say that Soria is injured, because there is no evidence of an actual injury.
Nonetheless, it appears quite certain that the Mexicutioner is suffering from an ailment that prevents him from pitching. That is because the alternative explanation is that Trey Hillman has the IQ of a barnyard animal, and I think we can all agree that barnyard animals possess neither the intellect nor the communication skills necessary to obtain a job as major league manager in the first place.
* * *
But please, don’t blame Hillman for this. Rest assured that there’s no way someone could spend a quarter-century playing, coaching, and managing in professional baseball, and ascend to the highest rank of his profession before he turned 45, and make the decisions that Hillman appeared to make today. It’s simply not possible that Hillman would not use Soria to protect a tight lead, even as the inning was falling apart, just because it was the eighth inning instead of the ninth. It’s not possible that instead of Soria in the ninth, he would call upon KYLE FREAKING FARNSWORTH, who now has more losses (3) than the rest of the team combined (2) in exactly 3.1 innings of work, just because it was a tie game instead of a save situation. Trey Hillman is not that stupid. No one is that stupid.
* * *
I mean, if Soria doesn’t have AITP, that means the Royals lost today’s game because their manager is a complete and utter moron. AITP is curable, but I’m afraid there may be no cure for imbecilic bullpen management.
Fortunately we don’t have to worry about that. Hillman’s a brilliant manager – Dayton Moore said so himself. Let’s just hope that Hillman…I mean Soria…finds a cure for his AITP soon. The Royals can’t afford to lose any more games this season because of it. I’m not sure they could afford to lose the games they already have.
Or Rob Neyer:
Got that? You just can't use your best pitcher in a close road game because the percentages are against you. Yes, folks: this is the manager who is going to lead the Kansas City club out of the wilderness.Not that we're bitter or anything.
So yeah, I'm thinking Hillman isn't the managerial messiah some have suggested.
Again, to be clear...I think Ron Washington was a lousy hire. Jon Daniels deserves quite a bit of criticism for hiring him. It was a mistake.
But quit trying to say that The Great Trey Hillman was the solution.
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Wow, you think his ears are burning right about now?
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
by Rodney on Apr 20, 2009 11:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You're just
a Rangers apologist. It’s Daniels’ fault that Hillman sucks.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Apr 20, 2009 11:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What is it about bad teams
that generate so many good writers/analysts.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
by DJCahill on Apr 20, 2009 11:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No kidding
The Rangers have an incomparable collection of bloggers and in JoePos, the Royals have perhaps the best mainstream baseball writer in America.
Keith Law: (1:45 PM ET ) I think Michael Young should shut his mouth and move to third base.
by WestTxAg06 on Apr 20, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They have to be fans of baseball
and not just fans of the team?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Apr 20, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and maybe
they get used to second guessing bad decisions and used to coming up with some logical rationale for their 2nd guessing.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
by DJCahill on Apr 20, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hours of sitting in the dark after a game makes you reflective
by Telegraph on Apr 20, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
With the taste of gun blue
in your mouth?
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
by DJCahill on Apr 20, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Adam
Do you recall what the parameters Hicks set for JD when hiring a new manager? Od did JD just decide on his own to hire the anti-Buck?
I think anyone that is knowledgable about baseball realizes that Farnsworth is not someone who should be pitching with the game on the line. Put him in when you need a K but can afford a BB.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Apr 20, 2009 11:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Is there ever a time that you can afford a BB if you "need" a K?
by Inkara1 on Apr 20, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out...
and Benji Molina on deck.
You also put in Farnsworth when you want to give me a good shot at catching a home run (FOTF, you were 6 seats too far right).
by 3hacks on Apr 20, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not aware of any parameters
I suspect Daniels wanted the anti-Buck…someone who wasn’t power-hungry, who would be a “player’s manager,” who would be a good soldier and not demand a lot of control, and who would be a lot more pliable.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't JD simply leaning toward Wash...
until Hicks had dinner with him. Didn’t Hicks basically give JD a “get ’er dun”??
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Apr 20, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Supposedly, he was also Daniels’ first choice, although I guess one could argue that he saw which way Hicks was going and just went with it.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 20, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At that stage in his career...
I just get this impression of JD meekly making a suggestion/asking for a decision from Hicks, and blindly following Hicks’ lead. I have nothing concrete to base it on, but it just feels like what was happening.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Apr 20, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would reflect poorly
on JD as a GM if he is trying to get input from a non-baseball guy. In that conversation, JD should have strong opinions, because the managerial decision is going to help make or break his career.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
by DJCahill on Apr 20, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
or he was too reserved during his first few forays into Hicks' office.
I don’t see the same signs anymore, but I definitely got more of that vibe early on.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Apr 20, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that's the case, then he should be fired right along with Wash.
by tyd3311 on Apr 20, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why? How do you fire him now for a mistake 3 years back?
Especially if the mistake was deferring to the boss.
Again, I’m only expressing a vibe I got; but very few bosses fire guys for deferring to them, especially bad bosses like Hicks
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Apr 20, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
not sure if u answered this before
but, what is so ‘lousy’ about Wakamatsu and Russell?
this is what i do...i guarantee.
by Longhorn on Apr 20, 2009 11:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
More importantly...
what’s so funny ’bout Peace Love and Understanding??
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Apr 20, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh
Nonetheless, it appears quite certain that the Mexicutioner is suffering from an ailment that prevents him from pitching
the mexicutioner is probably one of the better nicknames ive heard in awhile lol
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 20, 2009 11:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This brings up the point that
amongst all the fire Wash talk, I haven’t heard a lot of suggestions about candidates to replace him, just Jackie Moore, but my impression is that people are thinking of him as temporary. I don’t know enough to guess about possible candidates….anyone?
by jcAustin on Apr 20, 2009 11:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Of course it's a good point
The hiring situation, should Wash not last, has a few more parameters now than it did back when RW was hired. Developmental continuity (yeah it’s the GM’s provence but the MLB manager has to know when and how to polish finished goods from the minor system), and keeping or elevating player endorsement (several on roster players will be around for quite a while). Both were uncertainties 3+ years ago.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Apr 20, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just wonder
maybe Hargrove? Either that or its likely back into an experimental mode.
What do voluntary mean?
by JKolar on Apr 20, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hargrove
was awful in Seattle. Just ask the good folks at USSMariner or Lookoutlanding
Marcus Lemon is the Third Baseman/Leadoff Hitter of the future.
by FirebatM3 on Apr 20, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn't seem that bad to me. Thought he left because he didn't
get along with Ichiro.
by jcAustin on Apr 20, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
my guess
I wouldn’t be surprised if Phil Garner was a leading candidate, should Wash be fired. Not that I think he’d be a great manager, but I bet he and Nolan Ryan have an established rapport.
"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley
by trza on Apr 20, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
that makes it official.
BTW, you have now spent more bandwidth lampooning Hillman than you have in complaining about Wash. I swear you’ve got a thing for him. There is no other justifiable explanation for your tirade this morning, sorry ab03.
I would love to see this kind of commitment to outing what an outright disaster Wash has been. If you can, if you would, if you have the courage, please.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 12:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think so
the writing style sounds vaguely familiar.
What do voluntary mean?
by JKolar on Apr 20, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats
two posts in one morning attempting to discredit Hillman. Has AJM put two posts together like that in regards to Wash?
I AM A BASEBALL IDIOT. I AM A BASEBALL IDIOT.
Let me know when I can get out of time out.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you can't handle
a little AJM obsession every once in awhile, maybe you should just stop checking out this site.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
by DJCahill on Apr 20, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
AJM on Wash
You asked, “Has AJM put two posts together like that in regards to Wash?”
Here’s two from a week ago today, questioning Wash’s bullpen management, among other things:
http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/4/13/833048/monday-am-things
http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/4/13/834137/ron-washingtons-explanation-makes
And another, from Friday, where Adam pretty much goes off on Wash’s incompetence, and says that “Wash is an example of the Peter Principle at work, and hiring him is another black eye for Jon Daniels…”
http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/4/17/843261/4-6
You might remember that last thread, seeing as you made about 20 of the 400 comments in it…
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
by RCCook on Apr 20, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
And the chances of red shoe ranger replying to this...
…are about 0.05%.
Seeking a new signature...
by ghtd36 on Apr 20, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh...
if I just got my ass handed to me that badly I don’t think I’d reply either.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Apr 20, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
just
to prove that 0.05% means your telling me there’s a chance.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
meh
that’s still different than two posts solely dedicated to discrediting Hillman.
Too bad you don’t get paid for your fine work on LSB, I’d love to see your income level increase.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've missed you....
coming up from behind me. It feels so good.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Twice in one evening....
you stallion you.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
More gay jokes please.
You’re obviously killing with ’em.
by brettgardner on Apr 20, 2009 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm certainly
slaying….
my audience of one.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 10:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
just read the damn site
it’s everywhere
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
by ab03 on Apr 20, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Revisiting the Posnanski Idea
It is a damning tribute to the old school mentality still prevalent among so many in baseball circles that something as useful and instructional as managers using simulations to learn how to properly use their bullpen is apparently laughable whereas a grown man with no experience in using a bullpen gets backslaps all around for “using his gut” to make decisions.
by Mister Naxal on Apr 20, 2009 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We should
just hire Joe as our next manager
Marcus Lemon is the Third Baseman/Leadoff Hitter of the future.
by FirebatM3 on Apr 20, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about Joe Morgan
at least it would get him out of the commentator business.
What do voluntary mean?
by JKolar on Apr 20, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe then we could get Fire Joe Morgan to fire it up again, just on Rangers analysis?
Would almost be worth it. How about Dusty Baker?
by FuturePants on Apr 20, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Will people....
please let all this Hillman shit just die.
And add Red Shoe Ranger to the list of trolls not to reply to.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Apr 20, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't agree more
Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."
http://tinyurl.com/ranger-rage
by boomer1 on Apr 20, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
troll
= lack of blind faith.
FWIW I never said Hillman was a good mgr, only that Wash isn’t. I did question AJM’s desire to pull Hillman’s pants down.
That is all.
I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 20, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great rundown over at Royals Review
Check it out; they agree.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.
by 3k on Apr 20, 2009 12:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
credit where it's due
The flipside of this point is that Washington’s management of the game yesterday seems spot-on. Pinch hitting with Davis, managing the bullpen and (especially) bringing in FF to hold things down in the 9th with the heart of the order coming up in the bottom of the inning.
"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley
by trza on Apr 20, 2009 12:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i would of
rather seen him pinch run vizquel for blalock. then have davis still hit for tea. then you could of put salt in for vizquel and would of had a faster runner and smarter runner at first. it almost cost them since blalock was almost out
by dustinvandeman on Apr 20, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Davis move was good.
I posed the question to my mom in the 9th: “Do you pinch hit Byrd for Hamilton here, should Young reach base?” She said no.
by FuturePants on Apr 20, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
your mom is a smart woman
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
by bigsteve on Apr 20, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know...
this whole situation has made me think about the idea (I think it was a Bill James idea) of a bullpen ace. To me, it’s more of an indictment against baseball managers as a whole and less against Trey Hillman in particular. Granted, it was stupid of him to pull Cruz for any of their other bullpen options, but I wonder just how many managers around baseball would’ve brought in Soria to pitch the eighth and ninth regardless.
by jwiscarson on Apr 20, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
honest answer
not washington
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
by ab03 on Apr 20, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, yeah...
I intended to infer that by saying baseball managers as a whole (and perhaps baseball operations) need re-training on this.
by jwiscarson on Apr 20, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and
eckersley was used like this alot
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
by ab03 on Apr 20, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting you brought this up.
BR’s Player I tells me that he appeared in 188 games as a reliever where he pitched 1.1 or more innings, and 430 games pitching one inning or less.
Pretty neat that one of the more dominant relievers in the history of the game was actually used like this around 30% of the time.
by jwiscarson on Apr 20, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you would think this is something that would be considered
espeically with a former starter like soria.
its not like soria = one good pitch or uses trickery to get batters out
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 20, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's how relievers were used back then
That was the norm.
Remember the 3 inning save? Seels like eons ago, but it wasn’t.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 20, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Eck was a starter
until he was in his 30s, so they could be pretty sure he knew how to get through a couple innings.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Apr 20, 2009 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah.
I don’t remember where I read this, but an article I read basically said that the invention of the save statistic has led to relievers being under-used and devalued relievers who essentially “save” the game by pitching in tighter situations earlier in the game. I think the idea holds a lot of merit, especially considering how little WPA most closers contribute under normal circumstances.
by jwiscarson on Apr 20, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes I think managers get
too shortsighted in thier thinking. Hillman’s failure to use Soria yesterday may have cost him a win, the series sweep of the Rangers, and sole possesion of first place in the AL Central. Instead the Royals get to spend the day in Cleveland thinking about the above. For a team like the Royals (and Rangers), confidence and momentum play a big part in thier ability to compete on a nightly basis. Just as Ron Washington didn’t see the importance of using Frankie in Det to advert a sweep, Hillman didn’t see the importance of using Soria to sweep the Rangers, guarantee at least a 3-3 road trip and a boatload of confidence going into Cleveland.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Apr 20, 2009 12:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Man.
Love reading those articles. That Jazayerli piece, in particular, is great reading.
This place would be going absolutely ape-ship crazy if those rolls had been reversed yesterday.
The dude actually said he was going to get Soria some work somehow before the game Sunday. The mind boggles.
by jthig32 on Apr 20, 2009 12:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
what are the chances of...
money-whipping Tom Kelly away from the Twins and giving him another title?
by captain freakin' magic on Apr 20, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would love for
the Rangers to hire TK. He is only 58 but I think if he had wanted to manage again he would have already done so.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Apr 20, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i lived in the twin cities
in the late 90’s/early 2000’s….it was great watching what he did with those kids…how he mentored Gardenhire and then to see it all come to fruition coming SO close to the World Series…he got the most out of those kids and taught them how to play baseball the right way…i became a fan of the twins because of TK
by captain freakin' magic on Apr 20, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was a Twins fan growing up
because they had thier AA team and ST in Orlando. He manged there a couple of years in the early ’80s. I also got to see a few of the players that would go onto to win the 87 WS. Hopefully I can say the same about Frisco and the Texas Rangers in a few years.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Apr 20, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1 ok TK
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
by knockoutking on Apr 20, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Posnanski could write about his afternoon nap...
…and I’d read all 113,000 words.
Seeking a new signature...
by ghtd36 on Apr 20, 2009 1:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
OT: Marcus Lemon interview
http://insidecorner.dmagazine.com/index.php/2009/04/20/viral-video-frisco-roughrider-marcus-lemon/
Marcus Lemon is the Third Baseman/Leadoff Hitter of the future.
by FirebatM3 on Apr 20, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i am not even sure
what we are debating at this point. is Hillman a good manager? People all seem to agree he is not. Is Wash? Again, most people agree he is not. I am not sure how many more posts we need backing these generally accepted opinions.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Apr 20, 2009 2:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well...
we did have a rash of comments in a previous post suggesting that Hillman was a much better manager because the Royals are winning this year.
I thought everyone agreed he was at least as bad as Wash, if not worse, but apparently not.
by jwiscarson on Apr 20, 2009 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of JoePos and FJM
Has anybody ready Joe’s interview with Michael Schur/Ken Tremendous/Mose Schrute?
Just got it emailed to me. Interesting read, not surprisingly with some hilarity.
Keith Law: (1:45 PM ET ) I think Michael Young should shut his mouth and move to third base.
by WestTxAg06 on Apr 20, 2009 2:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
x
Don’t most fans of every team bitch about the manager’s bulpen usage? It’s like offensive playcalling in football – they’re the easiest parts of the game to second guess.
Speaking of simuators, I’ve thought for years that football coaches shoud spend the offseason doing thousands of two-minute drill simulations. Each and every year we watch coaches stand on the sideline and bungle the timeouts and clock management as if this were the first time they had encountered the situation.
"A good start would be not giving up 900 runs again." -Jon Daniels
by Randy Richardson on Apr 20, 2009 6:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ugh
my “L” key isn’t working right.
"A good start would be not giving up 900 runs again." -Jon Daniels
by Randy Richardson on Apr 20, 2009 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has there ever been a coach, manager, etc.,
whose judgment wasn’t questioned at one time or another? Particularly if the team loses? I remember the times Tom Landry was raked over the coals for being a crappy coach with every sportswriter with a typewriter being sure he knew how to coach more effectively.
I’ve never known of a Rangers’ manager whose judgment wasn’t questioned.
by Redcaps on Apr 20, 2009 6:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Every coach needs
aguy who makes every play, can anticipate what is going to happen, is always in the right place at the right time, and always executes flawlessly.
the problem is, you can’t get him to put down his beer and hotdog and come out of the stands!
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Apr 20, 2009 8:02 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
As a Royals fan who stumbled across this site...
I have no idea of the merits of Ron Washington as a manager. He could be terrible. He could be decent with poor talent. I don’t get to watch enough Rangers games to know.
However, I can assure you that, no matter how bad Ron Washington is, Trey Hillman is not the answer to anything other than “Who is the worst manager in baseball?” or “Who is the best example of why success in Japan shouldn’t be trusted as an indicator of success in MLB?”
There are some managers that are excellent tactically that sometimes clash with their players or don’t inspire the clubhouse. Tony La Russa is a great example of this. There are other managers that make a lot of questionable in-game decisions but seem to motivate their teams to play hard. Rod Gardenhire would fit into this group based on how his players talk about him.
Hillman, as you all witnessed this weekend, is a moron. I can’t elaborate on that point any better than Rany or JoePos did in their blogs.
However, what you may not know, is that Hillman is terrible in the second department listed above as well. He almost sparked a mutiny last year. He dressed down the team on the field like it was a high school outfit in spring training. He let Jose Guillen run wild over everyone, sparking a huge clubhouse divide. And when push came to shove, Hillman backed down from Guillen (and Miguel Olivo in another dispute). The inmates run the asylum, and it’s not even the good inmates that run it. On top of all that, he is inept at handling the media. Joe Posnanski is perhaps the most team-friendly columnist in the business, who loves to observe and hesitates to harshly criticize. Hillman basically tried to duck Posnanski after another opening day bullpen debacle involving Farnsworth and the absence of the Mexicutioner. If you can’t face the music from Joe Posnanski in KC, you’re going to collapse in any sort of sizable market.
To paraphrase Einstein, do not worry about your difficulties with baseball managers, Texas fans. I can assure you that KC’s are much greater.
by apr67d on Apr 20, 2009 10:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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