As preached in most management courses, there are several types of management styles. There is the autocratic, (my way or the highway). Donald Trump seems to be a proponent of this method. The participatory style seems to be the one most management teachers like. It’s the idea that if you can involve your employees in the decision, they buy into it and become part of the forthcoming solution.
Baseball team management seems to be pretty much autocratic. Probably because everyone knows what the goal is and how to get there. Not much variance there, but there has to be someone calling the shots and while the players have input, (I’m too sick to play today), the every day decisions are made by the manager. However, within the 30 major league managers there are differences. Some managers are very autocratic, some not so much.
Our Minnesota Twins‚ Manager Ron Gardenhire is known as a player’s manager. He tries not to embarrass a player. If someone makes a boneheaded play, he keeps him in the game. He may not play the next day, but he is saved from immediate embarrassment in front of the fans and TV audience.
I’ve seen Gardy consistently try to put a player in a situation where he will succeed. In fact, leave a pitcher in the game too long,to get the next out in hopes that will make him a better pitcher, then and in the future. This style seems to work as evidenced by six division titles in nine years.
However, Gardenhire and the team are headed toward a situation that putting the best team on the field will involve some hurt feelings. He has regulars coming back to replace the kids that have won nine out of the last 11 games. What to do? Well, Gardy, let me give you totally unsolicited advice. Dust off the old axiom of Occam’s Razor. Use it. That the simplest solution is usually the best.
First up Luke Hughes. He is now playing and hitting well. Keep him in the lineup. I know that Justin Morneau has tried his hardest and has a wonderful history with the team. But he is hurt and not playing well and at this point in time is not as good as Hughes. Play the Rookie. The decision is simple once you strip it of emotion. I think that Justin would tell you the same thing.
Alexi Casilla is fielding and hitting well at shortstop, but the Japanese All-Star Nishioka is coming back. Keep Casilla at short and put Nishioka at second. It’s simple.
Ben Revere has provided a much needed spark playing centerfield. In fact, several wins have been attributed to him. Keep him in the lineup. When Span comes back, put Revere in left field. Leftfielder Delmon Young is a below average fielder, but he has recently started hitting well. DH him against left-handed pitching and DH Jim Thome against right-handers when he comes back. There is nothing wrong with platooning Young when he is not the DH, with Cuddyer, Revere, Kubel and Span when he comes back. All will be regulars getting an occasional day of rest against pitchers they have a tough time with. One more piece of advice, keep Revere in the field when the Twins start a flyball pitcher.
Gardy, you seem to have a sixth sense about who has the hot hand. Use it. Right now don’t be anxious to play Span and Morneau. Sometimes our decisions become more complicated than they need to be. Play the hot hand, the good fielders and the higher batting averages.
