The Gold Standard, Part 4 !

In this last installment to the four part series, I will try to quantify a managers coaching effectiveness.

Unlike the other three categories of hitting, pitching and defense, that were quantifiable from raw statistical data. Managing a MLB team is a very subjective topic.

The total of games won, isn't an effective measuring stick due to the teams level of talent. Teams with the most talent usually compile the most wins.

The total number of errors committed can be misleading, as players with great range can quite often rack up errors that teams without such gifted athletes wouldn't even be able to make a play on.

Fundamental play such as base running, throwing to the right base, hitting the cutoff man, or sacrificing one's personal numbers to advance a runner, are stats not easily obtained. Also, there is much debate as to how much fundamental instruction can be implemented with veteran players, although we have seen how some managers year in and year out, field a heads up team that always plays hard.

An effective manager must understand the ability of the squad he has, then position them in the lineup and substitute them in a game, to best help the team. If a manager recognizes a veteran doesn't have the talent to perform at a high level, or isn't playing heads up, then he must develop a younger player that needs playing time to see if he can perform better, and bench the player that can't or won't conform to team play.

Let's face it, baseball players have the unique privilege of making a living playing baseball. They don't need a manager to be their mommy, best friend or groupie worshiper. They need a manager that can challenge them to be the best they can be.

As most of us in the real world job market understand. Our best managers motivate, instruct and exhibit fairness. Although I can't quantify who the best manager in baseball is. Teams that always exhibit sound fundamental play, are most likely lead by those type of managers that I consider the, "Gold Standard."