Best Not to Draw Attention to Yourself

 Gabe Kapler of the Phillies had himself a tough start an MLB manager last week.  In one game, Kapler yanked his starter in the sixth inning, even though he’d only thrown 58 pitches and had a 5-0 lead; the Phils proceeded to lose, 8-5.  In another game, a 15-2 loss to the Braves, Kapler went through five relievers, including one he didn’t bother to warm up.  The Philadelphia faithful are not amused.

Enter the Cubs’ Joe Maddon.  For reasons best known to himself, Maddon took Kapler’s side in today’s Sun-Times, saying “the only part [of the game] I think a lot of fans really understand is bullpen decisions,” hence the rush to judgment on Kapler.  Other managerial moves like positioning fielders, playing the infield in and pinch-hitting are part of what Maddon called “the nuance of the game.”  Those moves don’t get judged nearly as often “most of the time because people don’t understand that.”  Thank you, Mr. “let’s have Aroldis Chapman keep pitching in the ninth inning when we’re ahead 9-2 in game six of the World Series so he won’t be fresh in game seven.”

Joe, stop while you’re ahead.