[Mick]

Interesting piece of Kapler in The Athletic.  Talks about his growth etc. Here’s a snippet:

“From nearly a dozen interviews with Giants players and coaches, it’s clear that nobody has influenced Kapler’s in-game managerial style more than his decorated, three-time World Series champion catcher. Posey offers his opinion on a pitcher’s stuff from inning to inning. He is a conduit to the clubhouse. He has become a lodestar whose brightness overrides any temptation to seek a minor statistical advantage in one area that might inadvertently weaken another.”

I wonder if Buster will manage one day. Any of you still question his HOF credentials?

Great question.  On the one hand, Bochy has made comments similar to those of Kapler's.  On the other hand, I've always thought it was difficult for HoF-level players to manage.  But it seems to me -- just gut feel, no empirical evidence -- that for every Frank Chance (10 winning seasons in 11, including the Cubs' two World Series), there's a dozen Roger Craigs/Dusty Bakers/Gabe Kaplers/Tony LaRussas/Walter Alstons, etc.  It could happen.  About 1 in 5 Hall of Famers (63 of 333) end up managing for at least a season. Nine of the 19 catchers in the Hall of Fame also managed.

BTW, Ted Williams was in the bottom five in terms of winning percentage as a manager.

Do you think Buster will end up managing?

[Mick]

Interesting piece of Kapler in The Athletic.  Talks about his growth etc. Here’s a snippet:

“From nearly a dozen interviews with Giants players and coaches, it’s clear that nobody has influenced Kapler’s in-game managerial style more than his decorated, three-time World Series champion catcher. Posey offers his opinion on a pitcher’s stuff from inning to inning. He is a conduit to the clubhouse. He has become a lodestar whose brightness overrides any temptation to seek a minor statistical advantage in one area that might inadvertently weaken another.”

I wonder if Buster will manage one day. Any of you still question his HOF credentials?

Great question.  On the one hand, Bochy has made comments similar to those of Kapler's.  On the other hand, I've always thought it was difficult for HoF-level players to manage.  But it seems to me -- just gut feel, no empirical evidence -- that for every Frank Chance (10 winning seasons in 11, including the Cubs' two World Series), there's a dozen Roger Craigs/Dusty Bakers/Gabe Kaplers/Tony LaRussas/Walter Alstons, etc.  It could happen.  About 1 in 5 Hall of Famers (63 of 333) end up managing for at least a season. Nine of the 19 catchers in the Hall of Fame also managed.

BTW, Ted Williams was in the bottom five in terms of winning percentage as a manager.

Do you think Buster will end up managing?