GDT 8/6/19 Philadelphia Phillies (Arrieta) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (Leake)

[julio]

Has anyone attempted to create a WAR for managers? .

Uhh... The various sabremetric folks are still trying to figure out a consistent WAR for players!

I could put together something for managers by the end of the week. It wouldn't be very good, but if I threw in enough complicated math in various places, most fans would just treat it as a "black box" (e.g., magic), and would choose either to believe it or not believe it - probably largely on the basis of whether it gave results that reinforced their beliefs or not!

Yeah, that'a comment on WAR - and in particular on the defensive metrics that get folded into WAR (one way or another, depending on which flavor of WAR your pastor endorses).

[zambonir]

I certainly agree Kapler hasn't distinguished himself. Just not sure a different manager would be doing better, particularly if that manager was working with the same analytic instructions from the top. Also I don't think you necessarily expect a rookie manager to win big in his first two seasons (though obviously the expectations changed before this one).

IMHO, both qualitatively and quantitatively, complaints about the manager here are exactly the same for Kapler as they were for Mackanin, Manuel and Bowa (and Fregosi and Francona too no doubt). Not sure I've ever seen a game thread where multiple people love every pitching change and call the manager made. Of course managers do less than ever these days except for manage bullpens, both because of the front office having more say and baseball's current style of play taking away small ball.

[schillingfan]

For me the journey itself is more important than the destination. I loved Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley. To me the playoffs on matter because they lengthen my journey which is the baseball season and make each game during the playoffs more exciting. I occasionally yell at my TV, but to me sports are just enjoyable parts of my life. Went to the Rail Riders game tonight with my daughter and Golden Retriever, Lucy. It was the best time I had at a ball game. PNC park has a big grassy area and a big pavilion in the outfield, so it was great for dogs. Everyone so friendly, talking to fellow dog owners and greeting each other’s dogs, kids coming up to Lucy.I even booed thee umpire a few times. No better way to spend a summer night than at the ballpark. Going to the Phillies women and wine game on Friday Labor Day weekend with my daughter, sister-in-law and niece. What fun!

[Austinfan]

I started following the Phillies in 1964, so I'm used to disappointment.
Since I thought this team is still 2-3 years away, this is not one of those seasons.
I just don't want them to go into a death spiral.