If you watch a baseball game you will see the catcher look over at the manager on every pitch. He is getting the pitch instruction from the manager which means the manager is involved with every play. The manager also sets the lineup daily to match the best hitters against the current pitcher. He also manipulates the order of the hitters to maximize their run potential. He sets the defense, their position on the field for each batter and each pitch situation. He instructs his pitchers when to throw to first. He selects when to bunt. He chooses when to steal, when to double steal, when to hit and run, when to swing, when to take a pitch. He decides when to bring in a reliever and which one. He brings players up from the minors and sends others down.

 

The manager has much more impact than the casual fan understands. Again, read Tony LaRussa's book. Also, if a manager only affects 5 games as purported, those 5 games would have changed 5 playoff teams. That's huge.

 

Regards......................the Chiefjag 

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