Master Index of Archived Threads


Managerial evasions to the press

roger_that Jul 28 2022 11:50 AM

I get why managers are often dicks to the working press, though I don't approve of it, perhaps only when they want to keep things secret or avoid hurting players' feelings, but generally I think it's their fucking jobs to give good interviews. What they seem to hate is being second-guessed, but guess what? That's also a part, a big part, of their jobs. A question like "Why did you pinch hit for X with Y in the Zth inning?" is perfectly legitimate, but they all have a way of making it seem like a bastard question, one that the reporter is overstepping decorum to pose, and it pisses me off when they evade it, mock it, berate the reporter for asking it etc. Usually the right answer is some form of, "I rolled the dice on that one, and it didn't work out like I wanted it to" but that would be taking the hit for a (sometimes stupid) move. More specifically, an answer might be "I wanted the opposing manager to go to his bullpen, so I gambled that putting in a righty for a lefty batter might do the trick at that point" or something of that sort, but managers often bristle and give the reporter some snide shit for asking a legit question, often the very question that we're batting about on this forum. Pisses me off, what can I say?

Fman99 Jul 28 2022 12:28 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

I think their job is to manage the team. I could give a fig how abrasive they are to a beat reporter. I bet the media guys loved Art Howe, but he couldn't manage for squat.

kcmets Jul 28 2022 12:32 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

I know you haven't mentioned Buck specifically in re-visiting this topic but generally speaking I think Buck is pretty gentlemanly with the reporters. I've seen about 2/3's of his post-game meetings (live and/or dvr) and I think he's average to above-average in handling and responding to reporters.

batmagadanleadoff Jul 28 2022 12:37 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

=Fman99 post_id=101376 time=1659032889 user_id=86] I think their job is to manage the team. I could give a fig how abrasive they are to a beat reporter. I bet the media guys loved Art Howe, but he couldn't manage for squat.

This. I understand the interest, the need to know, but if I'm managing, I'm not giving away any of my strategy. Figure it out or speculate all you want. And then ask McDonald's how they make their secret sauce, for good measure.

G-Fafif Jul 28 2022 12:55 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

“Did Nimmo's catch give you momentum coming to bat when you scored five runs?” is the kind of question Buck doesn't indulge with conventional wisdom along the lines of “yeah, make a great play and you get on a roll.” He'll elaborate on how one thing doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the other; how the rally that ensued was built partly because somebody had a good at-bat innings before; revisit the catch and what made it particularly difficult; and talk about the hard work that's gone into Nimmo's defense improving, with credit given to one of the coaches and the fielders flanking him. It's a learning experience for this folk at home.

metsmarathon Jul 28 2022 01:30 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

he goes into the post game interview with a list of things that he wants to highlight. i speculate that he does it as something of a way of reinforcing the messaging that he has ongoing in the clubhouse with the players, and also to not give away the inner workings, of course. you ask a question, and he gives the answer he wanted to give. overall, i've got no real problem with it.

Marshmallowmilkshake Jul 28 2022 01:39 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

He does a good job!

batmagadanleadoff Jul 28 2022 01:43 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

=G-Fafif post_id=101379 time=1659034500 user_id=55] “Did Nimmo's catch give you momentum coming to bat when you scored five runs?” is the kind of question Buck doesn't indulge with conventional wisdom along the lines of “yeah, make a great play and you get on a roll.” He'll elaborate on how one thing doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the other; how the rally that ensued was built partly because somebody had a good at-bat innings before; revisit the catch and what made it particularly difficult; and talk about the hard work that's gone into Nimmo's defense improving, with credit given to one of the coaches and the fielders flanking him. It's a learning experience for this folk at home.

This is perfectly fine. If I was managing, I'd be comfortable with this approach. There's a lot a manager can say without giving away strategy. I know because I've been paying attention myself for a long time.

Ceetar Jul 28 2022 02:08 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

There' a fine line of course, between not giving up strategy and not giving the fans the nuggets they want. Not pinch-hitting McNeil was a recent one, and as much as it's a strategy thing, it is also entertainment. You don't gotta be "well, actually he could barely stand his hamstring hurt so much" you can just be "we were committed to giving him the full day off". I don't care if he dodges non-questions like "did you have momentum?" those are just questions for a sound byte, and you'll get that regardless of what he says.

Lefty Specialist Jul 28 2022 03:01 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

Buck's very good at not throwing his players under the bus. When you ask him why player X struck out three times and left 8 runners on base, he'll tell you about their great fielding play that saved a run. Players appreciate that. I'm okay with his dancing with the reporters. They're there to get juicy nuggets, and he only gives them what he wants to give them. He also gives smart answers to stupid questions.

roger_that Jul 28 2022 05:01 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

Is there a good answer to "Why did you do X instead of Y?" questions? I think there is, but managers usually take it as an invitation to be dicks.

Edgy MD Jul 28 2022 05:06 PM Re: Managerial evasions to the press

I love it all. We had buck here in Baltimore nine years and his press scrums were a big part of the show, and sometimes the best part. The organization pretty much apologized when they had to let him go, and while most everybody was philosophical about it, virtually nobody was happy to lose him. [YOUTUBE]5z3BvQbKGk0[/YOUTUBE]