FORT MYERS, FLA. - According to the Wall Street Journal, the Twins' Ron Gardenhire is the best manager in baseball.
The publication used a formula based on managers' decision-making in close games, wins above expectations and if they got more out of their players than other managers did. (For rankings and a detailed explanation of the criteria used, visit www.startribune.com/a4201).
Of the 20 managers ranked, Gardenhire was third in handling close games, fourth in wins above expectations and fifth in player performance. His average score of 4.00 was safely ahead of San Francisco's Bruce Bochy, who was second at 6.00.
While the results are interesting (Atlanta's Bobby Cox and St. Louis' Tony La Russa were tied for ninth, for example) it raises the question of whether there's a way, beyond wins and losses, to evaluate the effect a manager has on a team.
"The expectations are always going to be thrown out there and you're never going to be good enough for everybody,'' Gardenhire said. "People are going to grade you different ways.
"Criteria? I don't know how you rate managers. They love you. They hate you. It just depends which inning.''
Baker updateRighthander Scott Baker threw in the bullpen Friday and said he felt great. It was a sharp contrast from his bullpen work earlier in the week, when he was weakened by the flu so much the session was barely productive.
Baker, slowed this month by the flu and a strained back muscle, will pitch in a minor league game Sunday and hopes to be ready to face the Kansas City Royals on Friday.
Etc.• Catcher Mike Redmond played in a minor league spring training game Friday so he could get some extra at-bats.
• The Twins averaged a club-record 7,808 fans over 16 spring training games. They averaged 7,620 last season over 17 games.
• The Chicago Cubs tried to move righthander Tim Lahey, a Rule 5 pickup from the Twins, through waivers on Friday, but he was claimed by Philadelphia. If Lahey had cleared waivers the Cubs had to offer him back to the Twins before optioning him to the minors. The Twins would have taken Lahey back.
• Former Twins Doug Mientkiewicz, Luis Rivas and Chris Gomez have all made the Pirates as bench players.
UpcomingThe Twins will head to Bradenton, Fla., to take on the Pirates in their final spring training game. Righthander Kevin Slowey will face righthander Matt Morris. The Twins will fly to the Twin Cities after the game.
LA VELLE E. NEAL III
Minnesota Twins players worked as waiters Sunday night to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club.
Animation created by Mortenson Construction showing the process of building the new Twins stadium.
On June 26, the Twins released a one-minute time lapse movie of how the construction has progressed over the past year.
Twins fans and players alike shrugged off the snow for opening day and heralded the arrival of the baseball season.
Twins catcher Mike Redmond talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Final of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins pitcher Boof Bonser talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Eighth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins infielder Nick Punto talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Sixth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Fifth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins second baseman Brendan Harris talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Fourth of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins shortstop Adam Everett talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Third of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins third baseman Mike Lamb talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. Second of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins catcher Joe Mauer talks about his hopes for the season and how things are going this spring. First of nine in a series leading up to Opening Day.
Twins coach Ron Gardenhire is looking for Nick Punto to improve offensively and for Brendan Harris to be patient at the plate, but the competition for second base is close.
Assorted Minnesota Twins read reader-submitted Haiku with flair ... or not.
Michael Cuddyer says he's probably a natural fit to lead the team since he's got the most experience with the organization.
Baseball writers La Velle E. Neal III and Joe Christensen think Wednesday's lineup against Boston features the A-listers or as close as it can be given the tough competition.
Francisco Liriano's success will be about patience, according to Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson.
Related Content
Admittedly, Twins coach Jerry White believes the race for the center field spot is wide open because the competitors each bring a lot.
Just previewing a bit of our Haiku footage, Twins pitcher Boof Bonser waxes poetic with a Haiku donated to the Section 220 blog.
Writer LaVelle E. Neal III and Twins fans agree -- spring training is about the sun, the fun and access to the team.
|
|
Comment on this story | Read all 22 comments | Hide reader comments