Im gonna start tracking what I think are some real "bonehead" coaching moves that i see by MLB managers here, and try and see how many times i notice the same teams pop up....Now mind you, i obviously dont see every game, but i tend to follow many of them on CBSSportsline, if not watching live....If you see any "legite" bad coaching moves feel free to add them here.....And i am not talking about using the hit and run, and guy strikes out, thats the players mistake,not the coach, i am talking about legite "bonehead" coaching "moves"....Some people may disagree with some that i list, but these are "mistakes" i think the coaches made.....I am gonna start with about 4 i remember from the last week or 2, dont have the exact dates, but i am sure of the mistake (in my mind).....
1. Kansas City Royals........In a recent game agasint Seattle, the Mariners were leading 1-0 in either the 6th or 7th inning, and there was a runner on 2nd with 2 outs, and Ichiro coming up.....He is their main offense, and the guy hitting behind him was hitting around .220 (right handed hitter), the pitcher was also right handed, and the coach lets him pitch to Ichiro with 1st base open (left handed hitter)...Of course, Ichiro proceeds to drive in the run, and tie the game, next guy strikes out.....
2. Cincinatti Reds.........In a recent game against Houston, the Reds were trailing 2-1 going into the bottom of 7th inning, proceeded to score 2 runs and take the lead, and had the bases loaded, no outs.....Pitcher Aaron Harang at the plate (a pitcher who rarely goes deep into the game, and was hitting well under .100)......Seems to me, the perfect time to bring in a pinch hitter, and break this game wide open, with bases loaded, no outs, instead they send Aaron to bat, he grounds into double play, home, then first, next guy gets out, Reds score no more....Harang goes out in the 8th, and gives up 2 runs, and Reds lose 4-3.......Had the perfect chance to get at least 1-2 more runs, if not more, and only need 2 innings from your bullpen, with a decent lead, yet they let the pitcher bat....
3. Philadelphia Phillies......In a game against Pittsburgh the other day, in the top of the 9th, trailing 2-1, Philly gets the leadoff man on, a slower than avg runner (Howard).....They decide to pinch run for him (smart move), however they bring in Rollins (who didnt start that day) to pinch run, their fastest player, rather than using another "utility" player, or a pitcher....Still, that move would make sense, if they thought Rollins could steal 2nd, however, on the very first pitch, they bunt him over.....Now they have given up an out, and taken their BEST PINCH HITTER from the bench, and he never batted....next 2 guys strike out, and they lose the game....I dont disagree with using a pinch runner, nor do i disagree necessarily with bunting him over, however the combo of the 2 moves, made no sense....Why take out your best pinch hitter (when they were at the bottom of the lineup) to put him in because of his speed, then not give him a chance to use it...you either need to use him as PR, and give him a couple of shots to steal, or use a pitcher as PR, bunt him over, then pinch hit with Rollins......
4. Texas Rangers.......We all know where this is going....Texas takes a 9 run lead into the top of the 9th inning, and brings in a "lesser" reliever to start the inning, something alot of teams would do, no big deal....However, he starts getting lit up right off the bat.....2 singles, and a home run, makes the game 12-6......Manager brings in antoher "lesser" reliever, still not warming up the closer, and he proceeds to allow 3 more straight batters to reach and now its bases loaded, no outs, and still the manager does not bring in the closer, because he cant get a "save yet"...He waits for another batter to reach, and yes the next batter reaches as well, and now its 12-7 bases loaded, and he decides to do something......he waited too late, and now when the closer gives up a hit, we have the tying run at the plate, in a game where they were leading by 9 runs....Luckily he got out of it, but 2 seperate players had a shot to tie the game, when it should have NEVER gotten that far....
1. Kansas City Royals........In a recent game agasint Seattle, the Mariners were leading 1-0 in either the 6th or 7th inning, and there was a runner on 2nd with 2 outs, and Ichiro coming up.....He is their main offense, and the guy hitting behind him was hitting around .220 (right handed hitter), the pitcher was also right handed, and the coach lets him pitch to Ichiro with 1st base open (left handed hitter)...Of course, Ichiro proceeds to drive in the run, and tie the game, next guy strikes out.....
2. Cincinatti Reds.........In a recent game against Houston, the Reds were trailing 2-1 going into the bottom of 7th inning, proceeded to score 2 runs and take the lead, and had the bases loaded, no outs.....Pitcher Aaron Harang at the plate (a pitcher who rarely goes deep into the game, and was hitting well under .100)......Seems to me, the perfect time to bring in a pinch hitter, and break this game wide open, with bases loaded, no outs, instead they send Aaron to bat, he grounds into double play, home, then first, next guy gets out, Reds score no more....Harang goes out in the 8th, and gives up 2 runs, and Reds lose 4-3.......Had the perfect chance to get at least 1-2 more runs, if not more, and only need 2 innings from your bullpen, with a decent lead, yet they let the pitcher bat....
3. Philadelphia Phillies......In a game against Pittsburgh the other day, in the top of the 9th, trailing 2-1, Philly gets the leadoff man on, a slower than avg runner (Howard).....They decide to pinch run for him (smart move), however they bring in Rollins (who didnt start that day) to pinch run, their fastest player, rather than using another "utility" player, or a pitcher....Still, that move would make sense, if they thought Rollins could steal 2nd, however, on the very first pitch, they bunt him over.....Now they have given up an out, and taken their BEST PINCH HITTER from the bench, and he never batted....next 2 guys strike out, and they lose the game....I dont disagree with using a pinch runner, nor do i disagree necessarily with bunting him over, however the combo of the 2 moves, made no sense....Why take out your best pinch hitter (when they were at the bottom of the lineup) to put him in because of his speed, then not give him a chance to use it...you either need to use him as PR, and give him a couple of shots to steal, or use a pitcher as PR, bunt him over, then pinch hit with Rollins......
4. Texas Rangers.......We all know where this is going....Texas takes a 9 run lead into the top of the 9th inning, and brings in a "lesser" reliever to start the inning, something alot of teams would do, no big deal....However, he starts getting lit up right off the bat.....2 singles, and a home run, makes the game 12-6......Manager brings in antoher "lesser" reliever, still not warming up the closer, and he proceeds to allow 3 more straight batters to reach and now its bases loaded, no outs, and still the manager does not bring in the closer, because he cant get a "save yet"...He waits for another batter to reach, and yes the next batter reaches as well, and now its 12-7 bases loaded, and he decides to do something......he waited too late, and now when the closer gives up a hit, we have the tying run at the plate, in a game where they were leading by 9 runs....Luckily he got out of it, but 2 seperate players had a shot to tie the game, when it should have NEVER gotten that far....