If I'm Mathney, I'm just saying scoreboard. In 6 years his average finish is 1.7 th place, higher than almost anyone who has managed at least 5 years. He has a higher win % than Maddon, Dusty, Bochy, Girardi, LaRussa, Mattingly or Francona. Postseason disappointment, yes but he's never had a stable of all stars to work with. Without knowing for sure, I'd say he endured more pitchers with TJ surgery than most, plus WainO's achilles rupture. Game management? Well everyone can question their manager when he loses. I question some of Maddon's moves not only this year but last year when they did win. A loss in game seven last year would have been clearly on Joe.
We have no feared 3 and 4 hitters like Bryant/Rizzo. Carpenter who was once a reliable contact hitter has suffered injuries or played hurt for the last 2 seasons. Same with Wong. I'm ready to give up on him, almost.
Clearly rebuilding is in order but unlike the Cubs we haven't finished in last for 5 straight years to get better picks. We have continued to grind with just above average players and usually just 2 real good starters.
I agree that Waino may need to go to the pen and I think he would if asked. Back to the future ( '06 ). I've been a Cards fan for 50 years and with the possible exception of Musial, I consider Waino the greatest Cardinal of all time, because of the way he has conducted himself on and off the field despite all the injuries he has had to endure. Great human being.
