Thanks guys. It's not like I don't watch a ton of baseball anyway and would likely have time to give it, was just curious.

He's not perfect, but Ned Yost is probably as close to my ideal manager as we'll ever get. I don't believe that "good" managers add many, if any, wins, but a bad manager sure as hell can add a ton of losses with dumb moves and pitching injuries. He seems to handle the pitchers and bullpen well, no one gets overworked to the point of shredding their arm, and he also realizes he's in the american league. He still bunts a little bit more than I'd like, but for the most part he sits back and lets them swing away. (I'm not going to complain about stealing, we seem to be a pretty good stealing team, and the sabermetric value of a stolen base, if your SB% doesn't suck, has improved to the point of being worth it since the Moneyball days, mostly due to fewer runs scored around the league)

I would tend to agree, especially in the AL. I feel like an NL manager (or AL manager in an NL park) can make a pretty significant difference, but the DH takes a lot of that away (And thank God. I don't want to pay to see pitchers try to hit).

Speaking of Moneyball, that 12-11 game in the movie...... Cringed when I saw that they were gunna make a big deal out of it. All those horrible players bringing back some bad memories....

Eh, **** it. Let's get some wins this year.

I don't think the NL managers have it that much harder. When to PH and pull a pitcher is usually dictated by where they are in the lineup instead of looking at how they are performing, which is more difficult imo.

It's a great thing. Yost is, hands down, the best manager we've had in KC in 20+ years.

ROFL

Speaking of stolen bases, found this neat little chart, based on 2009-2011 data.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-co...tealing2nd.jpg

Based on that, and based on the last couple years, I'd say the following players have the green light to steal second whenever the hell they want, unless the game situation demands they not steal.

Dyson (obviously)
Getz
Escobar
Giavotella (small sample)

These guys are good enough to give it a shot with 2 outs, but should probably stay until then, unless the game situation demands taking a risk, or if they spot a tell that reliably broadcasts when the pitcher is going home.

Hosmer
Gordon
Frenchy

The rest either have too-limited data to really say, or aren't stealing for a good reason (Butler)

and, if you are curious, here's the charts for the other situations.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-co...tealing3rd.jpg

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-co...oubelsteal.jpg

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-co...ealinghome.jpg

Which confirms the old rule of thumb to never make the 1st or last out at 3rd. It is also kind of interesting how the double steal's payoff drives down the break-even point, compared to just stealing 3rd. A double steal with no out doesn't look crazy with a fast lead runner, too.

Not to be a jackass....but is that really something to be proud of?...

But yeah, he's miles ahead of anyone I can remember.

He's a legit ML manager. Better than average, without question.

Super stoked for this year... I think this is prolly the most hyped Royals season since I was born.

How old are you? Just curious. I feel bad for Royals fans under 30 who weren't around to see the glory days and feel how exciting it was. Man I hope those days make it back.

23 here.

15.... Haha.

WTF? Doesn't this site have some kind of parental filter? It should be at least "R" rated.

25 here...and lets not forget about the damn q u e e f s either. and dont give me that 90s bullshit