I like the guy as a manager. In baseball (as opposed to, say, football) the role of the manager (coach) is much more in keeping 25 guys motivated day by day through the grind of a 162 game schedule.....moreso than the "strategic" stuff that is so much more impactful in football.
I think Hurdle handles that "management" stuff really well....but he may be about as lousy at the "strategic stuff" as any manager out there.
Yesterday was another classic in that regard:
Buccos had Thursday off. On Friday and Saturday, Hughes and Watson pitched both days, but only threw a TOTAL of 23 and 29 pitches, respectively on those two games. And the Buccos also have off today (Monday)
SO....Buccos, mired in a horrendous hitting slump, and after wasting two tremendous pitching performances against their top rival, are on the verge of making it three in a row. Lo and behold, miracle of miracles, Kang knocks one over the fence in the 9th to tie it .....and Pedro in the 12th to win it - seemingly.
And what does Clint do? He sends out not Watson.....not Hughes.....but the last arm in the pen (Liz) to throw 39 pitches and lose the game.
Ugh!
A two game swing vs your top rival.....and an psychological blow that could set the team back significantly. And that is all on Hurdle for a predictable, obvious foul up.
He's one of the guys you would love to have "managing" the team......but let the game day strategic stuff in someone else's hands.
I think Hurdle handles that "management" stuff really well....but he may be about as lousy at the "strategic stuff" as any manager out there.
Yesterday was another classic in that regard:
Buccos had Thursday off. On Friday and Saturday, Hughes and Watson pitched both days, but only threw a TOTAL of 23 and 29 pitches, respectively on those two games. And the Buccos also have off today (Monday)
SO....Buccos, mired in a horrendous hitting slump, and after wasting two tremendous pitching performances against their top rival, are on the verge of making it three in a row. Lo and behold, miracle of miracles, Kang knocks one over the fence in the 9th to tie it .....and Pedro in the 12th to win it - seemingly.
And what does Clint do? He sends out not Watson.....not Hughes.....but the last arm in the pen (Liz) to throw 39 pitches and lose the game.
Ugh!
A two game swing vs your top rival.....and an psychological blow that could set the team back significantly. And that is all on Hurdle for a predictable, obvious foul up.
He's one of the guys you would love to have "managing" the team......but let the game day strategic stuff in someone else's hands.