The Tribe lost 21 of 25 and slid into last place in the AL Central. The team looked to be mailing it in.
I heard an interview with former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who was asked to explain his successful career. He said the key to being a winning manager was to motivate players to be at their best every day, and to instill in them a sense of urgency and pride.
Lineups and situational baseball are overrated. Baker has been assailed by Reds fans throughout his entire tenure over his lineups and strategic moves, yet the Reds have won two division titles. Baker’s value was underscored during his recent absence from the dugout due to health issues.
It was because of the job Baker has done as manager that the Reds were able to remain successful without him in the dugout. Baker has given his players confidence in themselves, and even the freedom to make mistakes, if they were aggressive.
Passive play and inconsistent effort were not tolerated (see Edinson Volquez, Juan Francisco). So, as the playoffs approach, don’t fret over what the lineup card will say each day. Cincinnati has the right guy filling it out.
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