I see now lack of blind faith makes you a Rat ok I can live with that.
Chris | Homepage | 09.12.08 - 5:13 pm | #

I did not come up with this. This is from a CUB FAN. I found it interesting and very timely.


"I have had a theory for some time now that "player's managers" enable that kind of free swinging behavior. The Cubs, in 2004-2006, were the same under Dusty. Nothing worse than running into a junkball pitcher that wouldn't throw strikes - the Cubs would be like to get more than 3 or 4 baserunners.

Reading the posts of the most knowledgable Brewers fans, it seems like you have the same complaints about Yost as we did about Dusty. On top of that, the Brewers right now have precisely the same frustrating tendencies that the Cubs did when Dusty ran the show. They chased bad pitches constantly. Mental errors on the basepaths. Sloppy defense. Ill-timed emotional outbursts. And the managerial decision making is shockingly similar: Running underperforming players out there game after game, with a different lame excuse each week. Inane in-game decisions about bunts, hit and runs, etc, and baffling handling of the pitching staff. Pulling a hot pitcher to get a "lefty lefty" matchup. Leaving a guy who was toast to "finish what he started".

At any rate, I once thought it was just Dusty. But watching the Brewers pull the same crap that the Cubs did under Dusty, and the Reds are doing also, it's increasingly clear to me that managerial style really does impact a lot of these little things. You guys have a phenomenally talented young team. And Yost is clearly not the guy to run things. I love this rivalry, and in the interests of keeping it alive and well, I'm hoping management figures that out quickly. Here's hoping to see you all in the postseason."

The bad news first : If all this is correct, the Milwaukee Brewers will NOT be playing baseball in October 2008.

The good news? With the right management in place, the Brewers will still be a strongly competitive team in 2009. Even without CC and Ben Sheets, the talent will still be there
badger B | 09.12.08 - 7:47 pm | #

I think you're on to something with that line of thinking, badger b. I don't think it applies across the board, but I do think that a lot of teams with 'player's managers' are less disciplined when it comes to their fundamentals. Some veteran teams have guys that have developed enough self discipline that they don't need a manager to hold them accountable because they do it themselves. Young teams like this one tend to need it, though.
Jib | Homepage | 09.12.08 - 10:43 pm | #

I agree with a lot of what you say badger b, but the conclusion doesn't make a lot of sense. Baker took teams to the post season on multiple occasions, so even shitty managers can stumble into the playoffs
ESK | 09.13.08 - 9:24 am | #