Well, the week (at least my week of “Sizing Up Sandberg”) started off nice for Ryne Sandberg. He had a few nice moves in the early innings of Saturday’s game—which he entered on a five-game winning streak. Although they ultimately lost Saturday, on execution (a misplaced Hamels pitch), not strategy, Sandberg finished what is probably his best stretch recently as manager.
One thing that really impressed me was he exercised common sense in Saturday’s game. I haven’t been his biggest supporter, and there are plenty of managers that I’d much prefer, but even they often neglect to do what Ryno did Saturday afternoon. With two men in scoring position and the eight-hole hitter up, Sandberg could have taken the traditional route and walked the eight hitter to get to the pitcher. Many teams do this, but not often consider the wrinkle Sandberg did. Standing on deck was Adam Wainwright, who happens to have a batting average more than 100 points higher than Mark Ellis. Sandberg did not have Cole Hamels issue an intentional walk, and Ellis was struck out to retire the side. It sounds easy, but you’d be surprised how often managers do not play the odds in their favor, probably a result of an oversight.
He saved his gambling with Hamels for the next frame, which often is not a good thing with the pitcher at the plate. You remember the “Go hit a sac fly, Kyle Kendrick plan”, or the “hit and run” with a guy that can’t hit (Freddy Galvis) and a guy that can’t run (Carlos Ruiz)? Well, he tried a hit and run with Cole Hamels at the dish, and if it wasn’t his lucky week, it was executed to perfection.
These two great moves were lost in a loss, but they still were moves of risk and reward. I hope to see more of those moving forward from the skipper.
Now, having praised him, there is an issue with the team that gets worse by the week and as far as I can tell, it is the first time he aggressively jumped on it. The problem is Dom Brown and the leftfield position, more specifically how he is absolutely killing the team. A.J. Burnett pitched his butt off on Wednesday, and if not for a Dom Brown brutal misplay (yes, yet another one), the Phills would have walked away with a win, and a series victory.
Well, apparently enough was enough for Sandberg. He not only benched Brown, but had an extended sit-down with the soon-to-be 27 year-old about the little things he needs to improve to at least be a sufficient major league player. It indicated he was losing patience (what took so long?!) and that he understands the urgency of the team needing to improve as soon as possible.
Finally, I do not understand why or how he can continue to go back to putting Ben Revere at the top of the lineup. It really doesn’t make any sense. He can’t walk, is impatient and frankly isn’t an everyday ball player. Get this: among National League players, no one has a worse on base percentage leading off the game than Revere, minimum 30 plate appearances. Why, Ryno—why?
