What impact does a manager have on his team? I’m not sure. Do the Brewers play better for Pat Murphy, because Murphy is this blue collar guy? If that’s the case, can we argue that players play better for managers that are lovable? Endearing.
- When Joe Maddon joined the Cubs, he was like that. He was off-the-wall. Magic came from creating joy and removing tension.
- Terry Francona (Red Sox, Guardians) – “Tito” has that dad energy. Super relatable, lets players be themselves. His laid-back approach works because players love him.
- Dusty Baker (Giants, Cubs, Astros, etc.) – Maybe the ultimate player’s manager. Wears wristbands, gives hugs, tells stories. Guys want to win for him.
When Craig Counsell joined the Brewers, he was like that. He’s this skinny, kinda quirky guy. Lovable. He brought local hero energy.
But when Counsell joined the Cubs, he was hired as a finished product, a genius savior — which erases the endearing, scrappy vibe that made him special.
You can see it in the dugout. Watching Counsell in the first two playoff games against the Brewers, he looked unsure. Of course, he’s watching his team fall apart. But still, managers are supposed to set the tone. To project confidence. Instead, he looked nervous — shifting eyes, taking off his hat, running his hands through his hair.
Maybe the best managers are the ones who make players feel like the game is theirs — whether that’s through quirkiness, looseness, or just being human.