Manny's Secret
The DC Optimist has uncovered the secret to Manny Acta's positivity: Bad Sitcoms.
Didja hear Manny Acta bitching about Ryan Zimmerman's bunt?
I love ya, Manny, but the heat's clearly gotten to you. Sure, sacrificing constantly is a poor strategy, and teams (see: Nationals, 2005) that can't score try to 'make things happen' that end up hurting their offense even more, but Zimmerman is a great bunter, and that's something that's been missing from his game this year. It certainly helps to keep the defense honest, giving him a little more room. He has to pick his spots, which he did last night.
The bright side is that I'm pleased that a manager is making judgments on the decision, not the outcome. Too often in baseball, second guessers make their criticisms based on the results, and not on whether the strategy was wise in the first place. Sometimes a successful stolen base is a bad percentage play. And sometimes a smart pitching change that gives up runs was the right move. Manny understands that. Yay for Manny!
I love ya, Manny, but the heat's clearly gotten to you. Sure, sacrificing constantly is a poor strategy, and teams (see: Nationals, 2005) that can't score try to 'make things happen' that end up hurting their offense even more, but Zimmerman is a great bunter, and that's something that's been missing from his game this year. It certainly helps to keep the defense honest, giving him a little more room. He has to pick his spots, which he did last night.
The bright side is that I'm pleased that a manager is making judgments on the decision, not the outcome. Too often in baseball, second guessers make their criticisms based on the results, and not on whether the strategy was wise in the first place. Sometimes a successful stolen base is a bad percentage play. And sometimes a smart pitching change that gives up runs was the right move. Manny understands that. Yay for Manny!
posted by Chris Needham at
8:47 AM
4 Comments:
Yeah, Zimmerman was bunting for a hit, not to sacrifice. There's an obvious difference.
Manny actually came out to argue a call last night. I was hoping we'd finally see him get ejected, but no such luck.
By
Carl, at 7/17/2007 11:22 AM
I also just pull this out of my ear, but Manny seems able to level a mild criticism like this without souring his relations with the player at all.
That seems real healthy.
By
Unknown, at 7/17/2007 6:15 PM
on topic: Manny should let Zimm bunt when he needs to.
off topic: Are those photos from your fishing trip, i.e., did you go to Croatia? I just went last year for the first time myself and visited some relatives on the next island over from Hvar, Brac. I think I asked Svrluga once and he said he hadn't ever been to Croatia himself.
-cass
By
Anonymous, at 7/17/2007 6:51 PM
Yeah. I went to Hvar. Beautiful, beautiful place!
By
Chris Needham, at 7/17/2007 10:46 PM
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