MLB’s current state calls for return of player-manager
Given MLB’s economics, it’s time to consider the return of the player-manager.
When MLB was being played during the Great Depression teams used a player-manager as a way to save money. One guy doing two jobs meant one less paycheck to cut. Maybe high time we see this strategy implemented again.
Having a player-manager could have multiple benefits if deployed when baseball resumes. One, take a manager already in place and add him to the 40-man roster. Once he is on the active roster, some coin is saved by not having another body in the majors. Two, the novelty of having a manager playing games may sell a few more tickets.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Player-managers were commonplace a long time ago and even as recent as the 1970s there was a handful. Frank Robinson turned the trick when he was roaming the outfield and calling the shots for the Cleveland Indians. Joe Torre played a little first base when he was at the helm for the New York Mets in 1979.
The last man to do both was Pete Rose when he was gambling on every team except the Cincinnati Reds in 1986.
Rose was 45 years old when he hit .219 as a player and led the Reds to an 86-76 record that year.
Rocco Baldelli is only 38 years old. He could easily serve both roles this year for the Minnesota Twins. Gabe Kapler is 44, though is his health regiment has kept him as physically fit as most current players. Even Chris Woodward, 43, could slot into the designated hitter role for the Texas Rangers.
Don Mattingly is a lifetime .307 hitter. Are you telling me you wouldn’t rather see Donny Baseball being run out there three times a week instead of whichever Four-A player the Miami Marlins are going to have at first base?
Next. Cincinnati Reds: showing love for Noodles Hahn. dark
The Player’s Association has rejected every other idea put in front of them, so what is the harm in sliding this idea across the table as well?