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- Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2012 5:32 am
Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:49 pm
I said I wouldn't do another list thread, but writer's block has changed my mind. The first part of the poll/thread will address the greatest MLB managers since WWII. Determining the great managers is difficult. The very statistics marking their success--wins--can undermine their value. It can lead many, at times justifiably, to determine their success came from the quality of their teams, not their ingenuity. So, unlike their players, managers don't have clear statistics measuring their skills and abilities.
There are however standards by which most baseball people, writers, and fans do measure managers. Those are: creativity/ingenuity, in game tactical/pitching move skills, player/team management skills, and team success. Using information I've read, as well as my own manager appraisals, I have come up with my own Top Ten list. Of all my lists, this is easily my least certain, but it is a strong representation of the best managers since WWII.
The second half of the list will address the greatest/favorite songs about MLB cities. We are all proud of our cities and their songs and have favorites about others. As can be seen by my list, it's ok to stretch geography if one wants. This is a list for fun, not locational accuracy:
Greatest MLB Managers (since WWII)
1. Tony LaRussa. The ultimate modern manager ushered in comp. analysis, and re-defined standard bullpen roles.
2. Earl Weaver. Moneyball before moneyball, he also mastered the utilization of every player on his roster.
3. Bobby Cox. The Big Three helped, but he built on Herzog's mastery of pitching and defense to greater effect.
4. Bruce Bochy. Mr. Cool is a master of steering teams thru the season and in-game tactical and pitching moves.
5. Whitey Herzog. The Rat mastered dominance through speed, pitching, and defense in both leagues.
6. Casey Stengel. Yes, his teams were awesome, but he guided them all with an early platoon sensibility.
7. Sparky Anderson. Another great-team manager; he affirmed his affable skills with Detroit.
8. Leo Durocher. Showed considerable skills with Dodgers & Giants and dugout presence during Jackie's beginning.
9. Joe Torre. Tamed Steinbrenner and managed super-contracts and superstars with quiet brilliance.
10. Jim Leyland. A manager's manager whose irascibility overshadowed Larussaesque smarts.
Greatest MLB City Songs
1. Boston by Augustana. San Diego band's lovely ballad about love's end and future hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ASJBXu8tNo
2. New York, New York by Ryan Adams. Stunning love song to NY and the sublime experiences it spawns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmHgY_J63Ik
3. Amarillo by Morning (Houston) by George Strait. The greatest road song by Country's greatest crooner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSgKVwLh4Wk
4. I'm Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys. Evokes both The Departed and Boston's blue-collar grit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw
5. Detroit Rock City by Kiss. Kiss' paean to the Steel City showcases Paul Stanley's voice at its most metal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZq3i94mSsQ
6. No Sleep Til Brooklyn by Beastie Boys. Another great road song celebrating NY's greatest borough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtztvaGN92A
7. Jet City Woman (Seattle) by Queensryche. Greatest anthem by Seattle's first great metal band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHapAsmvGEU
8. Galveston (Houston) by Jimmy Webb. Haunting song of love, memory, and the sea town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfYJKpLX1xw
9. Grace Cathedral HIll (SF) by The Decembrists. Beautiful ballad about life and love in the Bay City.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEjgf6tMlZc
10. Please Come to Boston by Dave Loggins. Enduring classic about young love and restlessness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDRLZFgEoGw
There are however standards by which most baseball people, writers, and fans do measure managers. Those are: creativity/ingenuity, in game tactical/pitching move skills, player/team management skills, and team success. Using information I've read, as well as my own manager appraisals, I have come up with my own Top Ten list. Of all my lists, this is easily my least certain, but it is a strong representation of the best managers since WWII.
The second half of the list will address the greatest/favorite songs about MLB cities. We are all proud of our cities and their songs and have favorites about others. As can be seen by my list, it's ok to stretch geography if one wants. This is a list for fun, not locational accuracy:
Greatest MLB Managers (since WWII)
1. Tony LaRussa. The ultimate modern manager ushered in comp. analysis, and re-defined standard bullpen roles.
2. Earl Weaver. Moneyball before moneyball, he also mastered the utilization of every player on his roster.
3. Bobby Cox. The Big Three helped, but he built on Herzog's mastery of pitching and defense to greater effect.
4. Bruce Bochy. Mr. Cool is a master of steering teams thru the season and in-game tactical and pitching moves.
5. Whitey Herzog. The Rat mastered dominance through speed, pitching, and defense in both leagues.
6. Casey Stengel. Yes, his teams were awesome, but he guided them all with an early platoon sensibility.
7. Sparky Anderson. Another great-team manager; he affirmed his affable skills with Detroit.
8. Leo Durocher. Showed considerable skills with Dodgers & Giants and dugout presence during Jackie's beginning.
9. Joe Torre. Tamed Steinbrenner and managed super-contracts and superstars with quiet brilliance.
10. Jim Leyland. A manager's manager whose irascibility overshadowed Larussaesque smarts.
Greatest MLB City Songs
1. Boston by Augustana. San Diego band's lovely ballad about love's end and future hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ASJBXu8tNo
2. New York, New York by Ryan Adams. Stunning love song to NY and the sublime experiences it spawns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmHgY_J63Ik
3. Amarillo by Morning (Houston) by George Strait. The greatest road song by Country's greatest crooner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSgKVwLh4Wk
4. I'm Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys. Evokes both The Departed and Boston's blue-collar grit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-64CaD8GXw
5. Detroit Rock City by Kiss. Kiss' paean to the Steel City showcases Paul Stanley's voice at its most metal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZq3i94mSsQ
6. No Sleep Til Brooklyn by Beastie Boys. Another great road song celebrating NY's greatest borough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtztvaGN92A
7. Jet City Woman (Seattle) by Queensryche. Greatest anthem by Seattle's first great metal band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHapAsmvGEU
8. Galveston (Houston) by Jimmy Webb. Haunting song of love, memory, and the sea town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfYJKpLX1xw
9. Grace Cathedral HIll (SF) by The Decembrists. Beautiful ballad about life and love in the Bay City.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEjgf6tMlZc
10. Please Come to Boston by Dave Loggins. Enduring classic about young love and restlessness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDRLZFgEoGw