Job fits no description

Managers must go with the flow

By Michael Holley, Globe Columnist, 10/22/2003

MIAMI -- I can't remember the last time anyone in New England examined the role of a big-league manager. Can you?

Oh, have a little fun. It's a joke.

As everyone knows by now, debating the moves of a manager can be very serious stuff. In fact, to a lot of baseball fans, the World Series is the last act before the denouement. There is going to be an announcement coming soon from Yawkey Way, and the speculation on what The Answer is going to be has turned into an intriguing series of its own. Don't you get the feeling that there is already a press release written, including quotes from John Henry and Larry Lucchino? Maybe the Red Sox will really milk this thing and solve the managerial mystery in a prime time show on NESN.

Of course, New England is not the only region that engages in high-level criticism -- and praise -- of the chessmaster on the bench. Game 3 of the World Series took place last night at Pro Player Stadium, and there are many people who will tell you that neither team would be involved without Jack McKeon and Joe Torre.

Then again, there are those who will argue that the Marlins and Yankees would be here, regardless of the men leading them.

That's the beauty of the job. If you're lucky enough to get it, one thing you have to accept -- depending on the market -- is that you're going to be studied and questioned and doubted. The observation is going to be constant and it's not always going to be fair or informed.

Another great thing about managing is that there is no template for how it's supposed to be done. You can be fired from one job because you're too much of a disciplinarian, and you can be king for the summer in another city because a discipline man was exactly what they needed.

In the case of McKeon, he arrived in a place that simply needed someone to say, "Why not?" The Marlins and McKeon were perfect for each other. He didn't have a job and they didn't have a clue. They were a losing and obviously underachieving team when he got his hands on them. They played well in August and September and went into last night tied with the Yankees at one game apiece.

Go figure. McKeon was expected to be in the World Series, all right. He was just expected to do it three years ago. His team in Cincinnati included Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin, Sean Casey, and (this guy was a big deal at the time) Pokey Reese. The Reds didn't do what the fans and general manager Jim Bowden expected, and eventually McKeon and Bowden were escorted out of town.

Torre's life in managing can't be compared with anyone else's. His blessing is also his curse: the highest payroll in baseball. Because of this, he always will be underrated, despite his four World Series rings. There is a feeling that his teams always should be in it when the man he works for always is willing to buy what he needs.

But Torre's gift happens to be the thing that is most often dismissed by second-guessers. He knows how to talk to people. Like Bill Parcells, he can anticipate where fans and media are going with their critiques, so he'll either try to debunk the criticism or take it himself so his players won't have to. It's easy to do -- if you're not insecure or an egomaniac.

No matter the manager, whether it's McKeon, Torre, or the North Carolinian who is in a holding pattern over Fenway Park, what's clear is that the job description/expectation gradually has shifted. Today's general managers and owners are now wondering who the best communicators in the business are. They know they always can find a seamhead. What they aren't sure of is a potential manager's juggling ability.

How does he deal with the different social and economic backgrounds in his clubhouse?

Is he fair?

Does he let his players know what he's thinking? Is he a man of his word?

Is he a good representative for the franchise, particularly when he is being criticized and second-guessed?

Obviously, the game is never to be dismissed. But when you're talking about big-league managers, most of them have devoted their lives to baseball. They know it and think it. It is their profession and their hobby. As much as many of us believe that we could sit in the dugout and lead a team to more wins than losses, chances are we'd be overmatched.

Not only has McKeon managed, he's been on the executive side as well. Torre has led both teams in New York, which is hard enough. He's worked for Ted Turner and George Steinbrenner (there's a movie script in there).

Both of them could talk baseball with you for hours but, just as important, they could talk to you about anything for hours. You know that old line about offensive linemen and umpires/officials? If you're not noticing them, things are probably going well. That's what managing is supposed to be. It's a baseball maintenance job. Rotate the tires. Check the oil. Make sure there isn't anything knocking too loudly.

McKeon and Torre were maintenance men for most of the season. It's tough to rip the two guys who are managing in late October. I think we know what life can be like for some of the 28 others who didn't make it here.