COPYING WORLD SERIES CLUBS MAY NOT BE BEST STRATEGY
Both managers note there’s more than one way to win a ring, writes
LOS ANGELES Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros have been lauded for progressive approaches to their respective 100-plus win seasons.
Analytics has been a big tool for both, but as Houston manager A.J. Hinch cautioned to future copycats out there, not the only one.
“I think too often we chase what the last guy did,” Hinch said. “There are different ways you can go to win games. If you want to, there’s traditional values that are always going to be in our game. There’s progressive growth that can happen in the game.
“If you subscribe too much to either, you’re probably going to miss a lot of content that’s going to help you win.”
Hinch has ultimate respect for the way the Dodgers were built, but noted the formulas have differed.
“(The Dodgers) are winning in ways only they can win right now based on how their team is set up, how their players respond to the information they’re provided,” Hinch said. “On the flip side, we went our way and ... that doesn’t make it right for everybody else to copy.”
Dodgers counterpart Dave Roberts said the construction of this year’s AL and NL champs is far too complicated for sweeping assumptions.
“I think people are always going to make knee-jerk assumptions, but you have to be openminded and forward-thinking and that’s the way we’re going to grow,” Roberts said. “I know guys in our organization feel that way and I know A.J. feels that way on the other side.
“I can’t tell you what’s going to transpire (in the future) and I really don’t care. I know that we have a good thing that we believe in and it’s worked.”
IT WAS A BIG DAY FOR AA
Welcome to November baseball! That was the greeting from former Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos who was surviving the wild World Series ride as a baseball operations vice-president with the Dodgers.
“It’s been emotionally exhausting, just the ups and downs,” Anthopoulos said. “Everyone who is watching the games can imagine how us who are in the middle of it are feeling as well. It’s been amazing.”
For Anthopoulos, the World Series experience has been incredible, especially after falling just short with the Jays in 2015 in their ALCS loss to the Royals. But this is next level, a series for the ages.
“From an industry standpoint and for the fans, everybody loves Game 7,” Anthopoulos said. “Two years in a row, an exciting series. It’s great for the game.”
WALK THIS WAY
Before Game 7, Roberts was asked to channel his inner NHL coach. The specific reference was Philadelphia Flyers coach Fred Shero’s line before Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Final when he wrote on the blackboard: “Win together today and we walk together forever.”
“I absolutely agree with that,” said Roberts, who like Hinch appears to have a strong bond with his players. “This is what you put your heart and soul into to be a champion and the champions are remembered.
“For me, there’s no need for a message. We understand what’s at stake and what this moment is for the city.”
As for Shero’s Broad Street Bullies? They shut out the Bruins 1-0 to become the first NHL expansion team to win the Cup and they did indeed walk together forever.
EVERYBODY ALL IN
Part of the intrigue of Game 7 was how the respective teams were managed, with essentially all hands on deck.
“Innings, at bats, workload … I don’t care,” Roberts said. “We’re trying to win one game.” Getting the truth out of players who may not be fully ready is another issue. “I could go to anybody in the clubhouse and they’ll be truthful that they’re ready, or lie and tell me they’re ready to go,” Hinch said.
QUICK HITS
Classic moment following Game 6 as Roberts was interrupted by legendary Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda as he entered the interview room. “You haven’t done (bleep) until you win tomorrow,” Lasorda said. Roberts’ reaction? “I’ve heard it all year. It’s Tommy’s words of encouragement.” … Former Jays pitcher Francisco Liriano finally made an appearance in the series, the last Astros hurler in Game 6. Liriano struck out Cody Bellinger, the only batter he faced … Hinch started pondering a career in managing long before most baseball lifers, while still in Triple A. “When you don’t hit a slider consistently you’re not going to play very long,” Hinch said. “And there’s only so far personality can take you as a backup catcher.”
I think too often we chase what the last guy did. There are different ways you can go to win games.