Anytime a team adds multiple ex-managers to a coaching staff, as the Phillies have just done, I simply assume that they are just amassing potential interim manager candidates for when they inevitably fire the current guy.
I posted this in the Bronx Banter comments, but thought I'd share here:
Kudos to the Red Sox for signing John Farrell to be their new pitching coach. Farrell was the head of player development with the Indians and a former Indian hurler from the late '80s/early '90s. I spoke to him last year when I did the Indians chapter for Baseball Prospectus and was impressed by his generosity and warmth on the phone as well as how much he appears to get it when it comes to player and particularly pitcher management. With the Tribe, Farrell instituted strike-throwing incentives throughout the organization, rewarding pitchers for first pitch strikes, strikes in 1-1 counts, and overall improvement in K and BB rates. In 2005, at least, walk rates plummeted throughout the organization. Impressive stuff. Congrats to Farrell and props to the Red Sox for a smart hire.
I don't exactly what the longest layoff has been, but the one week span for the Tigers could be close.
In 1988, Oakland won the ALCS on 10/9 and started the World Series on 10/15.
In 1911, the A's (Philadelphia version) finished the regular season on 10/6 and the World Series didn't start until 10/14. The NL season lasted until 10/11. There was also one week between Games 3 and 4 because of rain and travel. Philadelphia and New York alternated home games during that series. The World Series ended on 10/26.
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Kudos to the Red Sox for signing John Farrell to be their new pitching coach. Farrell was the head of player development with the Indians and a former Indian hurler from the late '80s/early '90s. I spoke to him last year when I did the Indians chapter for Baseball Prospectus and was impressed by his generosity and warmth on the phone as well as how much he appears to get it when it comes to player and particularly pitcher management. With the Tribe, Farrell instituted strike-throwing incentives throughout the organization, rewarding pitchers for first pitch strikes, strikes in 1-1 counts, and overall improvement in K and BB rates. In 2005, at least, walk rates plummeted throughout the organization. Impressive stuff. Congrats to Farrell and props to the Red Sox for a smart hire.
In 1988, Oakland won the ALCS on 10/9 and started the World Series on 10/15.
In 1911, the A's (Philadelphia version) finished the regular season on 10/6 and the World Series didn't start until 10/14. The NL season lasted until 10/11. There was also one week between Games 3 and 4 because of rain and travel. Philadelphia and New York alternated home games during that series. The World Series ended on 10/26.
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.