Showalter Criticizes Players’ Resting Strategies
Former Baltimore Orioles manager, Buck Showalter, made a guest appearance on “Foul Territory” and expressed his skepticism towards the “load management” trend in sports. Showalter specifically targeted players who opt for rest and limited playing time to preserve their performance. He mocked the idea that players would be penalized for playing too much, emphasizing the importance of games played.
Fondness for Old School Mentality
During his interview, Showalter reminisced about managing players like Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, who were known for their durability and ability to consistently post up for games. He expressed his concern over the scarcity of such players in today’s game. Showalter even poked fun at front office members who promoted load management strategies, citing an incident where a player’s exceptional performance led to suggestions of a day off.
Showalter’s Departure from New York
After a disappointing season with the New York Mets, Showalter and the team decided to part ways. This decision came just a year after Showalter was named NL Manager of the Year. The Mets subsequently hired Carlos Mendoza, their former bench coach, to take on the managerial role.
Receptiveness to Analytics
Although Showalter expressed skepticism towards load management, he did acknowledge the value of analytics in the game. He recognized that data-driven insights could provide valuable information, but emphasized the importance of understanding the mental and emotional state of players during crucial moments in a game. Showalter believed that the best organizations found a balance between analytics and the experience and intuition of the coaching staff.
Spring Training Nears
As the start of the baseball season approaches, pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training next week. The anticipation builds as teams gear up for another exciting season, leaving fans eager to see how strategies like load management will continue to shape the game.