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Why would you I wonder , anyway someone has
Ranking the best MLB managers
By Nick Cafardo | GLOBE STAFF FEBRUARY 16, 2014
Here’s our annual preseason ranking of managers. We discussed the attributes of all 30 major league managers with a number of baseball people, including managers, coaches, scouts, players, and front office executives, to formulate our rankings (first-time managers automatically appear at the bottom).
1. John Farrell, Red Sox — The World Series-winning manager doesn’t always get top billing, but there was universal sentiment that Farrell did a near-perfect job in his third year of major league managing and his first season with the Red Sox. Obviously, so much of managerial performance is related to talent. He had it, but Farrell pushed the right buttons. Communication skills and delegating to his coaches are big among his attributes.
2. Bob Melvin, Athletics — The former Red Sox catcher is gaining a tremendous reputation around the game. Already a two-time Manager of the Year, Melvin has taken what many thought was a pedestrian squad and turned it into a perennial contender. Great knowledge of pitching has enabled his young staff to flourish under him. Uses platoons and analytical data as well as any manager in the game.
3. Terry Francona, Indians — A Red Sox collapse in September 2011 and a year off from baseball haven’t made Francona dumber. In fact, he won American League Manager of the Year honors over Farrell for his outstanding work in leading a lower-payroll team into contention. His ability to relate to players is among the best in the game. He also relies on and trusts his lieutenants.
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4. Bruce Bochy, Giants — Always high on this list, Bochy, a two-time World Series champion, has vast experience. He’s considered one of the best in-game managers, gets the most out of his players, and really knows pitching. He manages firmly, but he’s a master motivator. His physical presence is undeniable.
5. Joe Maddon, Rays — He does the most with less. That’s the consensus about Maddon, who has proven over and over again that in any season he should be considered for Manager of the Year. Our panel feels his upbeat, irreverent, loosey-goosey style fits perfectly with the modern-day player.
6. Joe Girardi, Yankees — Amid all of the devastating injuries, Girardi kept the Yankees in contention last year until the final two weeks of the regular season. He was a magician at times, mixing and matching lineups and trying to keep his backup personnel sharp. He manages the New York limelight and the Bronx Zoo nicely.
7. Bud Black, Padres — He’s grown from the pitching coach who became a manager to one of the best managers in baseball. Farrell learned a lot from his old Indians teammate. The fact that Black was once a pitching coach is now moot. He’s considered a strong NL tactician.
8. Buck Showalter, Orioles — Showalter has one of the great managerial minds, always a step ahead in his thought process. He is respected throughout the game for the firm nature in which he takes control and the discipline he preaches to his team about playing the game hard every night.
9. Clint Hurdle, Pirates — With a style that resonates with players, he’s taken a situation that was once helpless and turned it into one of hope. Hurdle’s energetic demeanor has aided that process greatly, according those we talked to.
10. Mike Matheny, Cardinals — Matheny inherited a very good team from Tony La Russa two years ago, and he’s maintained that level of excellence. He acknowledges he’s had to learn on the job, but his decision-making has been very good and enhanced the Cardinals’ position rather than diminished it.
11. Ron Washington, Rangers — Washington has been managing winning teams for a while now. There’s always been a rap on his in-game managing, but his motivational skills and ability to manage players on a daily basis serve him well. He’s also an excellent infield instructor. In the final year of his deal.
12. Mike Scioscia, Angels — Scioscia’s record has taken a hit in the last couple of years with an ever-changing team whose personnel no longer suits the aggressive, running style Scioscia was so good at, but he’s tried and true, with a championship on his résumé. Scioscia will not lose you any games. He’s well-respected by baseball people, who understand the Angels’ recent struggles are not of his doing.
13. Terry Collins, Mets — Extremely underrated, according to our panel. Collins hasn’t had much to work with in New York, but has maintained a very upbeat approach to the Mets’ rebuilding process that has resonated with his players. He was once a feisty type but has mellowed to adapt to the modern player.
14. Ned Yost, Royals — Management stuck with him through the tough times and Yost, with a ton of experience, is a stabilizing influence in the clubhouse. The Royals should be good for a while, and Yost is a solid choice to lead them.
15. Ron Gardenhire, Twins — A survivor, it was touch and go as to whether the Twins would go in a different direction to spearhead a transition to their tremendous positional prospects, but it appears Gardenhire, an old-school baseball lifer, will be the one to see that through.
16. Ron Roenicke, Brewers — It’s been up and down for Roenicke as the talent has fluctuated, and he’s had to deal with the Ryan Braun mess. Through it all, Roenicke has been able to maintain an even keel, a strong suit for any manager.
17. Fredi Gonzalez, Braves — After some bullpen management issues, Gonzalez has done a much better job managing his pen and communicating. Where there used to be doubts about Gonzalez’s methods there is now acceptance, and he’s been solid as the Braves have had some good years under him, minus the 2011 collapse.
18. Don Mattingly, Dodgers — He’s had a lot of growing pains, but now the game has slowed down for him in the dugout and Mattingly has developed his own style. He’s managing some big salaries and big egos but he was a Yankee, so he’s used to it. For that reason, he makes sense for the Dodgers.
19. Kirk Gibson, Diamondbacks — There were some rough edges that had to be smoothed out and that is still a work in progress, but Gibson now has the experience, as well as the toughness he had as a player, to get to the next level.
20. John Gibbons, Blue Jays — He had a .500 record in his first go-round with the Jays, and last season was a major disappointment. There’s a feeling Gibbons was too laid-back and he has vowed to be more assertive this season and hold his players accountable.
21. Walt Weiss, Rockies — Not many negatives, just needs better talent.
22. Mike Redmond, Marlins — First-year sentiments about him were very positive. Seems to relate to his young players.
23. Robin Ventura, White Sox — Tough job having to manage an ever-changing landscape.
24. Ryne Sandberg, Phillies — Always difficult to manage a transitioning team with older, broken players and a few newbies.
25. Lloyd McClendon, Mariners — A good man who deserved a second chance.
26. Bo Porter, Astros — Who can tell?
27. Bryan Price, Reds — The latest pitching coach-turned-manager.
28. Brad Ausmus, Tigers — All signs point to success.
29. Matt Williams, Nationals — After Davey Johnson, the younger Williams could motivate the players.
30. Rick Renteria, Cubs — Theo Epstein wanted a bilingual manager to get through to his growing Latin roster and tabbed Renteria.
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