Tim Brown reports that the Padres are close to extending manager Bud Black, who is not under contract after this season (h/t: PRD).
I have always been of the opinion that (most) managers have relatively little effect on a ball club’s performance. I haven’t witnessed anything in Black’s management (positive or negative) to lead me to believe that he would be one of the rare guys that does have a major impact.
With that said, I am relatively indifferent towards his anticipated return.
Posted by Larry Faria on July 4, 2009 at 11:50 pm
I agree. One analyst asserted that the best manager will improve a team’s record by 2-3 wins at best, while the rest have no effect. A bad manager though, can add 4-5 losses over a season. Bud’s team is 35-45 while the pythagorean, based on the Padres being outscored by nearly 100 runs (so far!!), should be 31-49. I wouldn’t call him a great manager, but with the players he had in 2007, he won, and with the injuries last year he didn’t. With a salary dump this year, not much of a starting staff and a bullpen cobbled together at the last minute, it’s a wonder the team’s record isn’t WORSE than the pythagorean record. The only complaint I have is that he keeps hitting Kouz and Headley back to back right behind Adrian, when the belong in the 6-8 spots.
Posted by Myron on July 5, 2009 at 12:55 am
Spot on, Larry — I agree.