Sandberg Ejected, and Ejecting. Photo: Heather Mastropieri
With Pitchers and Catchers about to report to Spring Training, this is the time in the season when hope is the highest. Even so, many Phillies fans about the interwebs are rightfully concerned about the status of their team. It’s an aging roster which will need good health first and foremost to compete this season. Second, while they don’t necessarily need resurgent seasons from some of the veterans, they do need competent play. This includes the pitchers, of course, where some questions need to be answered and some young bullpen arms need to realize their potential.
What I don’t hear anyone talking about (yet) is the Ryne Sandberg effect. Mr. Sandberg heads to Spring Training ready to begin the season as a Major League manager for the first time. His team was 20-22 after he took over at the end of last season, using a lineup which often resembled the IronPigs.
This is not to disparage Charlie Manuel who was 53-67. I think Charlie should be in the Hall of Fame as a manager. This is not to claim that Ryne Sandberg will be a good manager simply because he’s a Hall of Fame Player. This is to reflect on the fact that he will make more difference than folks think this season. Sandberg was 155-132 for the IronPigs over two seasons for a team that had never even made it to .500 before. He was 439-409 over six seasons as a Minor League manager–where winning “doesn’t matter.” Now it matters.
They say a manager may be worth only 1-3 wins per season based on managerial decisions: lineups, pitching changes, and the like. It’s the players who hit. It’s the players who field. It’s the players who pitch. The old group in Philadelphia this season is seen as lacking. However, I believe the tone Mr. Sandberg will set, plus the leadership he’ll provide, will help his players–veterans and youngsters alike–play better than folks expect.
Yes, they’ll still need to stay healthy.
But I’m surprised no one is talking about this.
Yet.
(They will.)
Just wait until he ejects his first umpire.
..
@Kram209
(and I’m not a Phillies fan)
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
RS will definitely have some of the impact you’re talking about. And I agree, that’s not to disparage Charlie. He belongs in the HOF as a manager for sure.
Went to see the Phillies in late September (BOGO tickets from Iron Pigs) and was surprised that the lineup were 6 players I have seen as Iron Pigs and 3 “regular” Phillies. So, even with BOGO tickets I paid twice as much, more to park and more for food/drink that in Allentown. On top of that I was much farther away from the field.The trip made me appreciate the what we have here even more than I did.
Nobody’s talking about the “Sandberg Effect” because it’s an Allentown thing. People on the big stage haven’t seen it. When he was here players lined up for Anthem both in front of the dugout and on the warning track. They wore their pants up like REAL baseball players. Why do they buy those colored socks if they’re gonna wear their pants down pajamas. Last year there was much less consistency. Hell, the bullpen just stood haphazardly wherever they happened to be. They dressed sloppy, they stood sloppy and of course they played sloppy. Plus of course my theory is you run faster with your pants up. I know from personal experience that it’s hard to run fast with your pants down around your ankles. Well, let’s hope a little discipline goes a long way. And just a note, I give them a pass for not standing orderly for the marathon 3 verse National Anthem disgrace. Somebody should have had there butts kicked for messing with the Anthem.
Pingback: This Week in Noise Nation |