Bruce Bochy, Hall of Famer?

Honestly? Their teams probably would have played in a lot fewer World Series under the current format.

It's harder, not easier, to win a pennant and a World Series today. The playoff system makes it much more of a crapshoot to win it all.

That said, while Bochy and the Giants are deserving winners of the tournament, clearly the "best" teams in baseball aren't winning the World Series as often because the format has changed. And maybe it's my Braves fanboi bias showing, but I do think regular-season success should count more when evaluating managers' career resumes.

I agree with LTL that Bochy has played a larger role in the Giants' postseason success than other managers, but it really is a crapshoot when you get to this time of year. The Tigers' sudden reversal from ALCS sweepers to World Series sweepees is a prime example.

 

Oh, yeah, I forgot Cox. I mean, if nothing else, the career record for getting thrown out of games has to be an automatic ticket to the Hall.

 

The new Veterans Committee rules rotate three eras to vote on. Pre-Integration (1871–1946), Golden (1947–1972) and Expansion (1973 and later).

The expansion era was part of the 2011 ballot, Pre-inregration will be on this year's ballot and the Golden Era is next year and back to the expansion era.

Managers are supposed to be under the same rules as players -- five years after retirement. However, candidates 65 or older are eligible six months after retirement. So Cox, LaRussa and Torre can will all be on the 2014 ballot to be inducted in the summer of 2015l

 

Thanks. Appreciate the info.

All three should make it pretty quickly, no?

 

I think the Giants' success is a product of an organization finally getting things right with drafting and signing players. I don't have any problem with Bochy, but their investment in talent has given the team the ability to be successful. It would take a Bobby Valentine to screw it up.

 

No kidding. He can't help himself.

 

Or a Bobby Cox? The Braves have gotten things right for 20 years now, and they still don't have a lot to show for it.

 

This is ridiculous.

 

Only as ridiculous as implying that Bochy wasn't much of a factor.

 

I can't stand the mentality that somehow only championships matter, that division titles and NL pennants are meaningless. It makes no sense. There's a visceral joy to be derived by fans from any win. The season ending on a loss doesn't wipe all that away.

 

My point was to salute Bochy, not demean Cox.

 

Well, buckweaver and I both read it the other way. Managers largely are irrelevant, though.