Burns: ‘Backs to the Future
I didn’t expect to learn a whole lot about AJ Hinch the manager after his first weekend of actual managing.
And I didn’t. The D-backs dropped two of three to the Nationals and, as I write this, they have 19 losses, tied for the second most in baseball.
First things first…I like Hinch. I’ve known him for a few years. He’s bright, articulate, runs a strong department. He talks like someone who played baseball for Stanford.
But I’ve already made my point of view on this one pretty clear. Teams that fire their managers in the middle of the season aren’t good baseball teams. And if you don’t think 30 games qualifies as “midseason”, then check this out.
The D-backs had a .414 winning percentage on May 7th (day they fired Bob Melvin). Since 2002, want to know how many teams that had the same or worse winning percentage on May 7th went on to the playoffs?
Two. Out of 40. That’s 5% to you and me.
And one of the two was the 2005 Yankees who had a payroll higher than the Vatican. They don’t count.
This, to me, is not a win-now hire. Not that I think the team can’t turn it around, but if you’re going to change managers, and outside voice was what was needed.
That’s not to say that Hinch can’t be a good manager. Eventually I think he can.
But not this year.
