What makes a manager good or bad?

[m0nkey]

This has probably been discussed in one of the scioscia threads, but I didn't read them all. Sue me.

But I ask because people here say it's not scioscias fault the team is doing so poorly, therefore he shouldn't be fired. If that's the case, why do teams fire managers?

[Stradling]

Good or bad players. You're welcome.

[sneaky_flute]

i suppose players can dislike a manager and it would effect their performance, but that type of thing is hard to judge if you're not intimately involved with the team. then you can have completely inept managers like ron washington. 

[tdawg87]

Something about meatballs.

[Stradling]

How many people here need their bosses to help them do a good job?

[tdawg87]

How many people here need their bosses to help them do a good job?

 

Gardeners.

[Brandon]

Good or bad players. You're welcome.

Pretty much.

Mattingly was all but fired according to most, but is now considered a coach of the year canidate.

Good thing he figured out how to coach so the team could win and save his job.

[Homebrewer]

Good...

Communication Skills.

Enthusiasm.
Ability to adjust and change from your norm when necessary. (like when they stop working)

Setting an example for your athletes by keeping yourself in decent shape.

 

Bad...

Having none of the above.

[Angel Oracle]

If manager has been at the same job for too long, it is possible that maybe subconsciously (or even consciously) he may have lost the energy level for the job that he had in the early years.

In another thread, I cited another example, former Twins' manager Tom Kelly and current Twins' manager Ron Gardenhire.

Both had a good first decade of success like Scioscia had, but saw their team wane after that. 

[mp170.6]

Using players in ways that maximizes their strengths and minimizes their weaknesses, even if that falls outside of traditional baseball strategy. 

 

I'd consider a manager good if his players' stats -- as a whole -- remain at (or improve from) their career averages.  There will always be players who struggle so it's not helpful to look at individual stats. 

 

Example:  If you took over as manager and your pitching staff had a combined career ERA of 4.4, you'd be a good manager if you used them in ways such that your team's ERA at season's end is 4.4 or better.  Not a perfect methodology by any means, but on the other hand, if your staff finished with an ERA of 5.7 -- that probably doesn't reflect well on the manager or pitching coach. 

[Make Angels Great Again]

Is it possible that a manager's attitude can reflect on the overall morale and enthusiasm of the team? When I look at the angels I don't know if I see a team that loves being there every day. Look at the rays for example and they always look like they're having fun and taking things seriously.

[Troll Daddy]

You should ask Don Mattingly who recently was on the chopping block and is now a candidate for manager of the year.

[Homebrewer]

You should ask Don Mattingly who recently was on the chopping block and is now a candidate for manager of the year.

Mattingly's job was questionable (by a few) for a couple months.

Scioscia has been hanging by a thread, and questioned by nearly everyone (short of a few people around here ....)

For 4 long miserable years...

Hardly a valid comparison.

[ScottT]

I don't understand why anyone would think Mike Scioscia is a different manager today than he was five years ago.  From what any of us can tell, he is the same.  I'd be surprised if he was different behind the scenes.   I didn't like his game managing five years ago. I don't like it now.  He is not the reason... arguably not a reason at all (because other managers do dumb things, too)... that they are having a poor season.  

[Bruce Nye]

Teams fire managers based on what baseball websites have to say.  They often acknowledge the wealth of information they gain here.

[mtangelsfan]

Players, GM, situation, owner.

 

A manager can fail with one team, succeed with the next and then fail the next time.  I suppose it has to do with how their personality matches the personality of the team.

 

Clint Hurdle was bad with the Rockies, now he's manager of the year.  

[mp170.6]

Teams fire managers based on what baseball websites have to say.  They often acknowledge the wealth of information they gain here.

 

Why do you, as a moderator, feel the need to inject sarcastic comments all the time?

 

 

Why do you, as a poster, think you're a moderator all the time?

[fan_since79]

I don't know all the specific qualities of a good manager, but I do know that sticking a .217 hitter in the 3-spot in the lineup and leaving him there is not one of them.

[JAHV76]

Lets play devil's advocate and assume Art fires JD, buys Scioscia out and fires all coaches. Who would they bring in as replacements assuming Erstad is not leaving Nebraska?

[Troll Daddy]

I don't know about all the specific qualities of a good manager, but I do know that sticking a .217 hitter in the 3-spot in the lineup and leaving him there is not one of them.

Like I said in another thread ... Do you believe that's Mike's decision?

[Link]

Mattingly's job was questionable (by a few) for a couple months.

Scioscia has been hanging by a thread, and questioned by nearly everyone (short of a few people around here ....)

For 4 long miserable years...

Hardly a valid comparison.

 

 

Mattingly was not "questionable by a few," he was literally games away from being fired.  The Dodgers president even told this to Mattingly.

 

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/9545374/don-mattingly-says-los-angeles-dodgers-poor-start-almost-cost-job

[stevestevens]

Players ground into double plays.

 

Managers teach players to not first swing at crap with runners on first and second but instead wait for a pitch to drive.  

 

This is just one of our many problems on our team.  We know the players are sucking and grounding into a league leading double plays.  We have no idea if the managers are doing their part.  No idea at all. 

[fan_since79]

Like I said in another thread ... Do you believe that's Mike's decision?

 

Of course it is. The manager makes out the lineup card.

[ScottT]

Lets play devil's advocate and assume Art fires JD, buys Scioscia out and fires all coaches. Who would they bring in as replacements assuming Erstad is not leaving Nebraska?

 

"Throw the stats out the window. Throw the egos out the window.  We're here to win."

 

At least he wouldn't be batting 2nd.  

[Brandon]

Players, GM, situation, owner.

 

A manager can fail with one team, succeed with the next and then fail the next time.  I suppose it has to do with how their personality matches the personality of the team.

 

Clint Hurdle was bad with the Rockies, now he's manager of the year.

Really good post.