Musical managers
Here's all you need to know about 10 skippers in new places
Posted: Monday February 10, 2003 5:30 PM
Updated: Friday February 14, 2003 4:01 PM
For the first few days of spring training, players on several big league teams might want to wear their jerseys backward, with their names and numbers flashed across their chests. That way, confused managers won't have to crane their necks to know who they're talking to. A record 10 teams have changed skippers since the end of last season, meaning sunburned fans won't be the only ones clutching rosters early in camp.
You took a team to the seventh game of the World Series? Thanks, but no thanks, Dusty Baker -- the Giants would rather see you manage the Cubs than give you another contract. You won 100 games each of the last two seasons? Not good enough, Art Howe. See if you can revitalize the Mets after seven years in Oakland. Here's a breakdown of their new situations, plus those of the eight other managers who are trying on new colors this week.
Felipe Alou, Giants
Credentials: One of the most respected names in the game; NL Manager of the Year in 1994; compiled a 691-717 record in 10 seasons in charge of the Expos; a three-time All-Star during a 17-year playing career.
Strengths: Has seen everything there is to see on a baseball field. Laid-back style should mesh well with a veteran team -- with Barry Bonds in particular. Began his career with the Giants; popularity in the Bay Area will go a long way toward cushioning the blow of Baker's departure.
Weaknesses: At 67, he's the oldest manager to take over a new team in 41 years. Seemed to lose interest in Expos job and grew testy with the media in later years in Montreal. Does he still have the drive to thrive in a high-pressure job?
Impact: Like Baker, Alou has a rep for drawing blood from stones; players tend to overachieve under him. If the overhauled Giants don't repeat as NL champs, it won't be Alou's fault.
Dusty Baker, Cubs
Credentials: Three-time Manager of the Year; eight first- or second-place finishes in 10 seasons with the Giants.
Strengths: Need you ask? Master motivator who knows when players need a kick and when they need a home-cooked meal. Aura alone might be worth five wins a year.
Weaknesses: Can be loyal to a fault to favored players. Skin is thin; doesn't take kindly to second-guessing.
Impact: Brings instant credibility to a downtrodden organization. How will he deal with Sammy Sosa's outsized personality? Challenge him. Anyone who kept the peace in the Bonds-Kent clubhouse can handle Sammy.
Art Howe, Mets
Credentials: Career .511 win percentage with Astros and A's; led Oakland to the postseason the last three seasons.
Strengths: Unflappable -- didn't panic even when the A's got off to horrible starts in 2001 and '02. He'll be the calm in the New York storm.
Weaknesses: New York fans and media, after banking on getting Lou Piniella, ridiculed the Howe hiring. Is his personality colorful enough to grab Big Apple hearts, especially if the Mets start slowly?
Impact: After the Bobby Valentine circus, Howe will bring Zen-like calm to the Shea manager's office. Valentine appeared to have lost the team last season. In a low-key way, Howe will re-energize the organization.
Ken Macha, A's
Credentials: Successful minor league skipper; has the glow of a rising star; virtually every team with an opening the last two years has pursued him.
Strengths: He was Oakland's bench coach for the past four years, so he knows the team well. Transition to new a manager will be a smooth one.
Weaknesses: None apparent, but this is his first time in charge at the major league level.
Impact: Should be minimal, which is good -- the team has talent and a track record of success. Macha is a bit more edgy than the ever-patient Howe, so players who struggle may not be cut as much slack as they're accustomed to.
Bob Melvin, Mariners
Credentials: Respected bench coach, most recently with Arizona.
Strengths: Reputation for being the brains on the Diamondbacks bench.
Weaknesses: Only managerial experience is in the Arizona Fall League. Filling Piniella's large shoes would be difficult even for someone with more name recognition than Melvin.
Impact: Softer and cuddlier than Piniella, which will help players who struggled last year, such as Jeff Cirillo. Mariners didn't do much to their improve roster, so they may have trouble in tough AL West.
Lou Piniella, Devil Rays
Credentials: Winner everywhere he has managed; World Series champ in Cincinnati; two-time Manager of the Year in Seattle.
Strengths: Master tactician. Has experience turning around losing teams -- Reds finished below .500 the year before he led them to World Series title in 1990.
Weaknesses: Not known for tolerating poor play or youngsters, two commodities the Rays have in spades. His temper mellowed in recent years in Seattle. Will it rekindle as losses mount this year?
Impact: Lou's presence instantly makes the Rays respectable -- finally, there's reason to pay attention to baseball in Tampa. But don't expect a postseason trip this year. If Piniella has the heart for a long rebuilding job, the Rays will be dangerous in three years.
Buck Showalter, Rangers
Credentials: Manager of Year in 1994; .528 winning percentage with Yankees and Diamondbacks.
Strengths: Intelligence and attention to detail. If Alex Rodriguez's socks sag, Showalter will know about it.
Weaknesses: Tendency to micromanage -- sometimes players don't like being told how high to wear their stirrups.
Impact: It's anyone's guess as to how his meticulous style will work with a veteran team and a big-personality GM. Unless the pitching improves, no one can turn this team around.
Alan Trammell, Tigers
Credentials: Motown royalty.
Strengths: Extremely energetic and upbeat. If he can't enliven a pulseless franchise, no one can.
Weaknesses: Inexperience -- hasn't managed at any level.
Impact: Trammell and coaches Kirk Gibson and Lance Parrish are Detroit icons, reminders of the team's glory days. They don't have the talent to win this year, but folks in Detroit might at least start talking about the Tigers again.
Eric Wedge, Indians
Credentials: Managed Cleveland's Class AAA team in Buffalo for the last two seasons.
Strengths:At 34, the youngest skipper in the big leagues is barely older than some of his players, so communication and motivation shouldn't be a problem. A good shepherd for a callow team.
Weaknesses: He's an unknown quantity and lacks experience. How will an untested rookie manager handle what will surely be a losing season?
Impact: This was a hire for the future: If Wedge matures along with his young roster, the Indians will contend again in two or three years.
Ned Yost, Brewers
Credentials: Longtime Braves coach; backup catcher on Brewers 1982 World Series team.
Strengths: Organized, efficient, upbeat and an effective communicator. Respected for his coaching success with Atlanta.
Weaknesses: Inexperience and a lack of name recognition. Will fans and players be excited by someone who's relatively unknown?
Impact: He has already banned music in the clubhouse, a sign he'll try to re-create the Braves' atmosphere. The Brewers are a listless franchise. Yost may be a much-needed shot of caffeine.
Sports Illustrated writer Stephen Cannella is a frequent contributor to SI.com.
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