 |
 |
 |
|
What a life, managing a major-league baseball team.
Each day of service is one day closer to getting fired -- and, with rare exception, you will get fired.
 | |
| Dusty Baker's ability to get the most out of veteran players makes him very valuable and highly rated.(AP) |
Being a manager is a way to remain in the game you love, stay directly involved in the competition and get paid very well.
As in any sport, a manager or coach is as good as his players and the people around him. There are, however, certain men who have a knack for raising the level of a team; they seem to make mediocre teams good, good ones great.
Other managers are, shall we say, less successful. Some have valid reasons -- small-market rosters, performing under intense microscopes. Others simply would be better suited to be a bench coach, first-base coach, used-car salesman or tax auditor.
Rating major-league managers is very subjective. In today's game, the job demands a grasp of baseball strategy, the ability to handle high-maintenance individuals, and the personality to deal with the ever-invasive media.
Using that as a general guide, here are the 30 big-league managers, ranked from the very best to a bottom five consisting of men managing in the majors for the first time.
Guys, and that includes you, Ned Yost, the clock is ticking.
| MANAGER RANKINGS | ||
| Rank | Manager | |
| 1 | Bobby Cox, Braves | |
| Eleven consecutive division titles prove he knows how to handle talent. | ||
| 2 | Tony La Russa, Cardinals | |
| Was at his finest last season, amid injuries and tragedy. | ||
| 3 | Joe Torre, Yankees | |
| Yes, he's blessed with talented players, but managing the Yankees remains the most demanding job in sports. | ||
| 4 | Lou Piniella, Devil Rays | |
| Aggressive skipper now facing the ultimate challenge -- trying to right Tampa Bay's ship (that's with a "p"). | ||
| 5 | Dusty Baker, Cubs | |
| Gets today's self-absorbed players to play for him. | ||
| 6 | Mike Scioscia, Angels | |
| With 2002 world title to his name, heads the pack of young managers. | ||
| 7 | Bob Brenly, Diamondbacks | |
| We'll learn more about Brenly's managerial skills when he doesn't have Johnson, Schilling or both. | ||
| 8 | Art Howe, Mets | |
| A laid-back, by-the-book manager who took Oakland to three consecutive postseasons. | ||
| 9 | Bruce Bochy, Padres | |
| Low-key approach the past eight seasons has been a good fit. | ||
| 10 | Jim Tracy, Dodgers | |
| Outstanding job in L.A. the past two years; needs to show it in the heat of a pennant race. | ||
| 11 | Mike Hargrove, Orioles | |
| Things he learned while winning in Cleveland have been put to the test in Baltimore. | ||
| 12 | Jimy Williams, Astros | |
| No-nonsense guy who has done a good job with three different teams (Toronto, Boston, Houston). | ||
| 13 | Buck Showalter, Rangers | |
| A football coach in a baseball uniform while winning in New York and Arizona. | ||
| 14 | Felipe Alou, Giants | |
| Earned the reputation of getting the most out of his talent in Montreal. | ||
| 15 | Frank Robinson, Expos | |
| Maybe he has mellowed some through the years, but he's still demanding. | ||
| 16 | Ron Gardenhire, Twins | |
| Didn't flinch after replacing highly respected Tom Kelly. | ||
| 17 | Grady Little, Red Sox | |
| Low-key approach worked last year; players seem to enjoy playing for him. | ||
| 18 | Larry Bowa, Phillies | |
| Intense ex-Phillies shortstop is a stickler for fundamentals. | ||
| 19 | Carlos Tosca, Blue Jays | |
| Considered a teacher with a great temperament to guide young players. | ||
| 20 | Clint Hurdle, Rockies | |
| Straight shooter who's big on accountability. | ||
| 21 | Bob Boone, Reds | |
| Hands-on skipper said to communicate well. | ||
| 22 | Jeff Torborg, Marlins | |
| Friendly guy who hasn't been able to take ChiSox success to Mets or Marlins (yet). | ||
| 23 | Lloyd McClendon, Pirates | |
| Has done a respectable job after minimal previous experience. | ||
| 24 | Jerry Manuel, White Sox | |
| Is this really his sixth season with the White Sox? Wow, time does fly. | ||
| 25 | Tony Pena, Royals | |
| Friendly guy being asked to develop young players. | ||
| 26 | Ken Macha, Athletics | |
| The way his name has been mentioned in recent years, he must be a genius. | ||
| 27 | Alan Trammell, Tigers | |
| Tigers fans hope former on-field leader can work magic from dugout. | ||
| 28 | Bob Melvin, Mariners | |
| It won't be easy replacing Sweet Lou in Seattle. | ||
| 29 | Ned Yost, Brewers | |
| Spent past four years learning under Bobby Cox. | ||
| 30 | Eric Wedge, Indians | |
| Although 35, managing just three guys older -- Burks, Vizquel, Mulholland. | ||