Do you think Tony LaRussa is "overrated" as a ML m

[StL Dan]

He's won two World Series, is in the top 10 in all time wins as a manager and his teams consistently challenge for division titles.

Tell us why you think he is or is not "overrated", and, by what standard.

[thrill]

As they say, managers get too much blame when they lose and not enough credit when they win, but as far as managers go it is hard to argue that Tony isn't one of the best. His teams have been very consistent where he has gone.

[GatewaySnayke]

I think he's overrated because...what is a manager? He writes out the lineup card, calls for pitching changes, aligns the defense and calls for in-game strategy.

What makes one manager better than the other at doing this? If La Russa calls in a LOOGY who has held lefties to a .190 BAA, and the LOOGY gives up a home run, was that really indicative of La Russa failing as a manager?

If he brings in a power hitting righthander to face a tough lefthanded pitcher, and the batter hits a home run, do we applaud La Russa for this decision?

Let's go back to Game 5 of the NLCS. He brings in Duncan, a poor hitter against lefties to face Pedro Feliciano. Duncan rocks a home run. Was that really a great call by La Russa, or just a great deal of luck?

You can push all the right buttons and things can go wrong. You can push the wrong buttons and things can go right. I feel that most of the time, a manager is only as good as the players he has. I also don't believe that a manager can will a player to do better

[jim]

I don't know what overrated means. Overrated by who? Some of the opinions I've heard, I'd say he's downright underrated.

How can a guy 3rd on the list in wins be overrated?

[longhornbaseball]

As they say, managers get too much blame when they lose and not enough credit when they win, but as far as managers go it is hard to argue that Tony isn't one of the best. His teams have been very consistent where he has gone.

I agree that he's one of the best managers in the game's history but aside from the way he uses his BP, I think his on field moves are overrated. Then again maybe I just still pissed over the Gooch in LF and Yadi in the 5 hole.

[G. Keenan]

He is the 3rd winningest manager of all time. All time. He has a real shot to be #2. This franchise was crap when he became the manager. It has been one of the best teams in the NL for the past 7 years.

Just looking at the results I don't see any way he can be considered overrated.

[GatewaySnayke]

He is the 3rd winningest manager of all time. All time. He has a real shot to be #2. This franchise was crap when he became the manager. It has been one of the best teams in the NL for the past 7 years.

Just looking at the results I don't see any way he can be considered overrated.

Look at the 1995 Cardinals rotation, then 1996 rotation:

Mark Petkovsek
Danny Jackson
Donovan Osborne
Allen Watson
Ken Hill

Andy Benes
Todd Stottlemyre
Alan Benes
Donovan Osborne
Mike Morgan

The Cardinals got better pitching and their offense improved considerably. The '96 Cardinals were better than the pre-Tony Cardinals because the players were better.

[JL21]

I think he's overrated because...what is a manager? He writes out the lineup card, calls for pitching changes, aligns the defense and calls for in-game strategy.

What makes one manager better than the other at doing this? If La Russa calls in a LOOGY who has held lefties to a .190 BAA, and the LOOGY gives up a home run, was that really indicative of La Russa failing as a manager?

If he brings in a power hitting righthander to face a tough lefthanded pitcher, and the batter hits a home run, do we applaud La Russa for this decision?

Let's go back to Game 5 of the NLCS. He brings in Duncan, a poor hitter against lefties to face Pedro Feliciano. Duncan rocks a home run. Was that really a great call by La Russa, or just a great deal of luck?

You can push all the right buttons and things can go wrong. You can push the wrong buttons and things can go right. I feel that most of the time, a manager is only as good as the players he has. I also don't believe that a manager can will a player to do better

It would seem to be that you're saying that all managers are overrated.

Not that I'm taking umbrage with it- just hoping to clarify your stance a bit.

[jim]

I think he's overrated because...what is a manager? He writes out the lineup card, calls for pitching changes, aligns the defense and calls for in-game strategy.

What makes one manager better than the other at doing this? If La Russa calls in a LOOGY who has held lefties to a .190 BAA, and the LOOGY gives up a home run, was that really indicative of La Russa failing as a manager?

If he brings in a power hitting righthander to face a tough lefthanded pitcher, and the batter hits a home run, do we applaud La Russa for this decision?

Let's go back to Game 5 of the NLCS. He brings in Duncan, a poor hitter against lefties to face Pedro Feliciano. Duncan rocks a home run. Was that really a great call by La Russa, or just a great deal of luck?

You can push all the right buttons and things can go wrong. You can push the wrong buttons and things can go right. I feel that most of the time, a manager is only as good as the players he has. I also don't believe that a manager can will a player to do better

You've just scratched the surface of what a manager does. What we see on the field is far less, and probably far less important than what we don't see. Which is why for me the bottom line is winning, and he's done that.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Yes