Mike Scioscia and Jim Tracy named Managers of the Year.
Sorry, but I don't agree with the decision for the AL Manager of the Year. I don't think he did anything all that interesting or special. Joe Girardi took a team from not in the playoff one year to World Series Champs with the best record in baseball the next. He did this with a sh!t-ton of pressure, three new expensive free agents and a whole lot of eyes on him.
What I've read so far is that because the Angels had to deal with the death of Nick Adenhart, suddenly that means their manager "overcame adversity". They lost a player who'd been on the team for about 3 weeks, they didn't lose Torii Hunter or someone very integral to the day-to-day running of the team. I am so sick and tired of that young kid's death being pimped out and used to explain EVERYTHING surrounding that damn team. They won the AL West for Nick Adenhart. They finally beat the Red Sox in the playoffs because of Nick Adenhart. They lost in the ALCS because the pain in their hearts over the death of Nick Adenhart was too great and they battled as hard as they could, blah blah blah. Now Mike Scioscia won Manager of the Year because of the death of Nick Adenhart. If I was in that young man's family, I'd be insulted.
Jim Tracy though, I think he deserved it. He came in after the previous manager had been fired and he took them to a franchise-high 92 wins and Wild Card berth. So congrats to Jim Tracy and nerts to you, Mr. Rally Monkey Man.
What I've read so far is that because the Angels had to deal with the death of Nick Adenhart, suddenly that means their manager "overcame adversity". They lost a player who'd been on the team for about 3 weeks, they didn't lose Torii Hunter or someone very integral to the day-to-day running of the team. I am so sick and tired of that young kid's death being pimped out and used to explain EVERYTHING surrounding that damn team. They won the AL West for Nick Adenhart. They finally beat the Red Sox in the playoffs because of Nick Adenhart. They lost in the ALCS because the pain in their hearts over the death of Nick Adenhart was too great and they battled as hard as they could, blah blah blah. Now Mike Scioscia won Manager of the Year because of the death of Nick Adenhart. If I was in that young man's family, I'd be insulted.
Jim Tracy though, I think he deserved it. He came in after the previous manager had been fired and he took them to a franchise-high 92 wins and Wild Card berth. So congrats to Jim Tracy and nerts to you, Mr. Rally Monkey Man.
Mike So-sha? Really? What on God's green earth are these people thinking? People are dumb lately. It's probably because baseball's over. *sigh* Silly, silly people.
- Lisa
http://perennialpinstriper.mlblogs.com/
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//Mike So-sha? Really? What on God's green earth are these people thinking?//
I have not an iota of a clue. What exactly did he do that was "Manager of the Year" material? Nothing, at least from this perspective. Even my dad doesn't get it. Girardi took the Yankees in a 180 from last season and did it to the tune of the best record in baseball. That's pretty damn impressive. I don't care if it IS the Yankees, and he's expected to do it every year. Before the season started, I kept hearing that his job would be in trouble if we didn't go all the way, considering the money we laid out for CC, AJ and Mark.
He saved his job. Scioscia lost in the ALCS. Not comparable.
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I understand that the sudden death of a player does in fact affect the team. My heart goes out to the Adenhart family and the Angels organization. I also believe that the media really sensationalized the story. This is in no way taking away the fact that the death of any player is tragic and heartbreaking. Congratulations to Mike Scioscia for the win. This does in no way overshadow the achievement by Joe Girardi. Coaching for the Yankees is not easy, especially in a city that places a lot of pressure on a team that is expected to win the WS every year. Joe also dealt with new players, Wang not returning, Joba rules, A-Rod's surgery and admission of steroid use, questions about decisions, doubts about his ability to coach, and the pressure of the Steinbrenner organization breathing down his neck in year two of his coaching career. What Girardi brought was great chemistry to the team; having players like Swish, Burnett and CC really helped to make baseball fun again for the team and it showed. The Yanks do have talent, but to manage the high profile players in such a way as to make them play like a team -and not a group of individuals- is immeasurable. Commentators have made reference to the fact the Girardi's players have the highest payroll and is expected to do well. These people forget the fact that we have had high-paid busts like Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, Hideki Irabu, Jaret Wright, Kei Igawa. Salary should not be a factor, it is not the coach that offers money to the players. I wonder if $30 million/year were waved at Mauer, Pujols, Halladay, or any top-tier players (by their own teams even) that these players would flat out refuse the money. In any case, I think Girardi did a great job and would sacrifice the MOY award for a WS ring.
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Apparently you don't believe in the variables...
http://www.statisticianmagician.com/
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"Apparently you don't believe in the variables..."
I just think the there is a heck of a lot more than just STATISTICS. A player can hit 50 HR and drive in 140RBI, but if the numbers are done when the team is up by 8 runs then what is the point? There are so many immeasurable qualities that merit consideration. Yes, stats are nice to analyze and look at but things like leadership, instinct and to a lesser degree -unfortunately- character. These are not on a stat sheet. Jeter's famous "flip" in 2001 or the dive into the stands will go on a stat sheet as "one out", but the importance of it cannot be charted. To me this is the problem with people so hung up on numbers. Mantle never hit .300 for his career, Reggie hit .300 only once in his career, Ripken only had 4 seasons of 100 RBIs. Yet these are all great players worthy of the Hall of Fame. Numbers do account for great play, no one is denying, but there is more to baseball than great numbers.
Thus, I never said Mike Scioscia was not worthy. I think he is an excellent coach. He and his team went through the death of a player, injuries and frustrations. But to say that all of this is "less" pressure than what Girardi goes through is not true. But if you want to use stats then think about this for a moment: 103 wins vs. 97 and a WS championship vs. losing in the ALCS.....And those that use statistics try to eliminate or minimize variables.
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My comment was actually referring to the post :)
http://www.statisticianmagician.com/
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