The Blue Jays just won a series in Cleveland after winning one in New York. They’re above .500, with a playoff spot still in their sights and a easier schedule on the horizon. So let’s talk about the manager! But first, please indulge me while I attempt to make a living. Because if you’ve been sent here by a friend, or are an existing subscriber who would like to move to a paid membership so you can comment, ask questions the next time I open up the ol’ mail bag, or just plain old support what I do, click below to upgrade or become a subscriber. I will be eternally grateful if you do!
Were I to plan for a double header to make up for yesterday's bad weather, one thing I would plan for is the best of all possible worlds ... we will twice need a closer to lock down 2 games where were are leading in the 7th. Ok then. Dolis gets one game and Romano gets the other one. I would dearly like to know what it is that Montoya and Walker know that I don't that doesn't make this partioning the obvious thing to do.
Another point that I think is worth remembering, is that it is really just the bad decisions that people remember. I’m too lazy and don’t know how I would gather the data, but I would love to see what percentage of his ideas could be classified as bad. I’m not saying he hasn’t made bad decisions, but so many of a manager’s decisions just go unnoticed if they work out well. I’d bet that the percentage of bad decisions is small, even if we just look at the decisions we can actually see. Would help add some perspective, but likely won’t calm anyone down.
Thanks Andrew, I appreciate your reliable thoughtfulness, it's what keeps me coming back to your writing. Of course, I've found the Sunday loss and the not-so-short list of tactical shortcomings frustrating (at times excruciatingly so) for all the reasons you stated. I'd frankly be shocked if any Jays fans didn't! There's an important distinction between frustration and anger though. The latest round of Charlie-bashing on Twitter has seemed so angry (even from accounts I normally find reliably decent), it's been a bummer. There were many things to be angry about this weekend, both inside and outside of baseball, for me this wasn't one of them. Everyone gets different things out of sports I guess, I don't mean to judge. For what it's worth, I appreciate you saving your written anger for the important stuff.
To prove to myself I haven't gone full Wilner, I just need to say one thing ... Tanner Roark is (was?) trash.
Well said, as usual, Andrew. Not having someone up in the bullpen seems like huge mistake and sure enough, it came back to bite us. I’m not a fan of the bunt and through the years you have certainly echoed the same. Just curious when you said you approved of Jansen’s bunt in the seventh was that before or after the “successful “ bunt.
Were I to plan for a double header to make up for yesterday's bad weather, one thing I would plan for is the best of all possible worlds ... we will twice need a closer to lock down 2 games where were are leading in the 7th. Ok then. Dolis gets one game and Romano gets the other one. I would dearly like to know what it is that Montoya and Walker know that I don't that doesn't make this partioning the obvious thing to do.
Another point that I think is worth remembering, is that it is really just the bad decisions that people remember. I’m too lazy and don’t know how I would gather the data, but I would love to see what percentage of his ideas could be classified as bad. I’m not saying he hasn’t made bad decisions, but so many of a manager’s decisions just go unnoticed if they work out well. I’d bet that the percentage of bad decisions is small, even if we just look at the decisions we can actually see. Would help add some perspective, but likely won’t calm anyone down.
Thanks Andrew, I appreciate your reliable thoughtfulness, it's what keeps me coming back to your writing. Of course, I've found the Sunday loss and the not-so-short list of tactical shortcomings frustrating (at times excruciatingly so) for all the reasons you stated. I'd frankly be shocked if any Jays fans didn't! There's an important distinction between frustration and anger though. The latest round of Charlie-bashing on Twitter has seemed so angry (even from accounts I normally find reliably decent), it's been a bummer. There were many things to be angry about this weekend, both inside and outside of baseball, for me this wasn't one of them. Everyone gets different things out of sports I guess, I don't mean to judge. For what it's worth, I appreciate you saving your written anger for the important stuff.
To prove to myself I haven't gone full Wilner, I just need to say one thing ... Tanner Roark is (was?) trash.
Fantastic article Andrew! As always. Hope you’re doing well!
Well said, as usual, Andrew. Not having someone up in the bullpen seems like huge mistake and sure enough, it came back to bite us. I’m not a fan of the bunt and through the years you have certainly echoed the same. Just curious when you said you approved of Jansen’s bunt in the seventh was that before or after the “successful “ bunt.