Macha is a big problem in September & in the play-offs

by Vegas Ace on Sep 13, 2006 10:09 AM PDT Comment 20 comments

He is not the "solution" for the play-offs.

Last night's game is a perfect example of his poor decsion-making in the 8th inning by not bringing on one of your best relief pitchers in the form of the Duke.
When your team is up by 2 runs and you are essentially in "play-off" mode trying to retain your front runner status for the play-offs, you go with your best to hold your lead in the game and in the standings. Also, you "never" let one pitcher not only lose the 2 run lead but allow another two runs in one inning. Macha is okay during the regular season when he can manage in his mediocre, routine style, however, his defects are now magnified. On the flipside, Payton's aggressive baserunning highlighted how one guy's risk taking on the bases can essentially "manufacture" runs. That was a huge "insurance run" that should have been enough to win the game that Macha soon squandered.

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yeah, it couldn't have anything to do with

our pitching being lousy so far in September.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 13, 2006 10:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

you're missing the point

I don't know what the author of this diary means and I don't want to speak for him. However, I believe that most Macha haters beleive that Macha costs us games with his decisions and lack of roster management. Obviously, Macha or any other manager doesn't control everything and the players are the most important factor in winning or losing. However, Macha could cost us two or three games in September or a game during a five game series in the playoffs. That could very well be the difference between missing the playoffs or not advancing. Macha is a problem in September and October.

Green Day was right: Wake me up when September ends.

by BlameChannel53 on Sep 13, 2006 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

why in september or october?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 13, 2006 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ridiculous

This happens all the time. If the people who want to blame Macha were Yankee fans, they'd be on Yankee message boards saying Joe Torre is a problem.

Manage from your couch all you want, but Ken Macha does a very good job with this team.

by Dog Days on Sep 13, 2006 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just to clarify

I'm not saying Macha doesn't make mistakes or is beyond reproach. If if makes a mistake, he should be called on it. But if the A's don't win the whole thing, it won't be because of Ken Macha.

by Dog Days on Sep 13, 2006 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no bad managers???

So any fan that criticizes any manager from any team is nothing more than a crackpot? If managers are so unimportant, why have them? As my post said, Macha may or may not cost us a spot in the playoffs or a playoff series, and unfortunately there is never a way to statistically verify whether a manager costs a game because it is impossible to know how another outcome would have turned out if the manager had made a different move. I don't believe that Macha is the worst manager in baseball, but I do believe he is suboptimal and our team would be better off with a better manager. Go A's!!

Green Day was right: Wake me up when September ends.

by BlameChannel53 on Sep 13, 2006 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not saying that at all

That's why I pointed to a guy generally considered a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame in Joe Torre. The fact I'm pointing to is that everybody complains about their manager.

There are several bad managers I can think of off the top of my head. Mike Hargrove comes to mind. Art Howe used to annoy the hell out of me.

Obviously, the manager serves a vital role for a ballclub. His main job is to put players in a position to succeed and then stay out of the way. The A's have been decimated by injuries this year, and yet they still stand a great chance at winning their division. I just don't see how that could happen with a bad manager at the helm.

by Dog Days on Sep 13, 2006 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

For whatever it's worth

Ken Macha manages EXACTLY like Art Howe -- very, very few differences. In fact, I can't think of one. So if Howe "bugged you," I don't see how Macha makes you happy.
Please tell me how they're different.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Sep 13, 2006 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Macha is a great

August manager. Every decision is made with razor sharp accuracy and timing.

If I were a GM, I'd hire Macha to be my August manager. The lineups, the pitching moves, the maintenance of morale---all brilliant in August. I would personally favor inducting him into the August hall of fame.

by mikeA on Sep 13, 2006 2:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just think

of all the August championships he's won

"the poop stain on the collective AN pantalones." -ohad

by ArakSOT on Sep 13, 2006 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm still celebrating the most recent!!

by mikeA on Sep 13, 2006 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leave Ken Macha alone

He wanted Kennedy for Morneau. Kennedy has been strong this year. Kennedy didn't deliver.

I would have managed it differently. But so what. It's not that big a deal.

by RLangford on Sep 13, 2006 4:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

exactly right

by mikeA on Sep 13, 2006 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that big a deal

if losing the game "isn't that big a deal." But just my take.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Sep 13, 2006 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He gave up two baserunners in the 7th

AN-d hadn't gotten anyone out in the inning when Cuddy-Bitch came up.

AN-d Ole dumbass was just sitting there thinking, I have them right where I want them because Morneau is on deck"

Kindergardeners would beat this lame ass in chess!!!

"I think we just feel that now is our time." - Nick Swisher

by saint on Sep 13, 2006 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My main gripe about Macha...

And I don't gripe very often - might also be his biggest attribute.

He just annoys the shi- of me when the team is scuffling and I see little to no emotional reaction from the guy. These are the times when it also seems like the close calls are going against the A's, and he never, ever gets out into the fray and states his case or sticks up for his players.

He basically has no fire.

But on the other hand - this might be why the A's have a good clubhouse - and former malcontents can jibe well here, as they are not being ridden by management to conform. He just kind of lays back and plays the even keel role.

This is great for the long haul of a long season - but right now is the stretch run. Now is the time to pick up a little 'tude and fire. Now is the time that he needs to rile up the troops and get them prepared for a long playoff run - and if I don't see some energy out of his ass come October - then I'm done with him.

But I hope he proves me wrong - and he effectively manages to get the boys up, and then defends them come playoff time - but if he doesn't then I will be joining in to the FIRE MACHA NOW club...

by SD Erik on Sep 13, 2006 6:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I really agree with you.

RIP MAC DRE, BILL KING, AND 2006 FIELD

by jme on Sep 13, 2006 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My biggest gripe about gripes about Macha...

...is with the "no fire" gripe.

Ken Macha is just not a fiery guy, period. It's not his natural manner. Nor are his boring tone of voice and dry sense of humor evidence that he is stupid (SD Erik, I'm not saying you are accusing him of stupidity, but a lot of other people do).

I'm not going to argue with anybody on any points of Macha's managerial decisions, because I happen to think he's done a decent job, yeah he's made mistakes, but we ALL make mistakes at our jobs... and Macha's job is a publicly visible one that no one here has any actual experience with, regardless of how much they know about baseball. But I'm pretty sure that a person who is just a mellow-tempered guy can't simply "turn on the fire" at will. Macha is managing a team of professional athletes. Those guys get paid a lot to play the game, and they shouldn't need a "fiery" boss to get themselves and each other fired up for a pennant race.

Just out of serious curiosity... is there any stat for how well teams perform in games where a manager/coach has been ejected or has at least run out and argued with an ump? Or is this one of those cases (like base-stealing) where statistics and feelings collide and make "fire" appear to have more of a winning effect than it actually does?

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Sep 14, 2006 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I default to Yogi

When asked what makes a good manager, Yogi Berra replied, "Good players."

Couldn't agree more.

by baseb3383 on Sep 13, 2006 6:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you, Yogi was right ...

and the opposite can be said to be true...

When the OFer boots the ball, takes a bad angle to the ball, throws to 3B or home allowing the runner to move to 2B and out of the potential doubleplay, umpire unable to call a curve ball strike, inconsistent strike zone, bad bounce, baserunning gaffs... there are many ways to lose that render Macha to spectator like us.

The Manager & Coaches together enable the team to win through instruction, preparation, and routines used to keep players sharp rather than abused, healthy rather than unable to play.

If I were to pick on Macha & Coaches it is the bad health issues the A's have at the end of each season. They are numerous and hard too call mere coincidence.

If the A's have staffed their roster with physically challenged players and unhealthy cast offs that is one thing. But many A's players come through the A's system, and have repetitious health problems at very young ages.

If A's coaches throughout the organization including Macha & his Coaches are not part of the solution, they are ...

"+64 runs after the AS break: 36-16, 52 games, 805 team OPS! Go A's!

by A s Eh on Sep 13, 2006 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs