It’s easy to second guess a decision after the fact. This is true in business, sports and life in general. As leaders and managers, we must also relate well with those on our team. In game 6 of the World Series between the L.A. Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays, the unthinkable happened. Imagine that you are pitching in the 6th inning, leading 1-0, had only given up 2 hits, had only thrown 73 pitches, and had struck out 9 batters. Then, imagine that your manager walks to the mound, has few words with no conversation, and brings in a different pitcher.
Yes, we live in an age of analytics and algorithms. Surely, the statistics this season indicate that when any pitcher faces the opponent’s batting rotation for the third time, he is likely to be less effective.
But, this certainly appeared very different. That is the problem with relying solely on statistics. Whatever happened to human observation? In medicine, it is called, “clinical judgment.” It is the ability to reason and make informed decisions, based on both objective data AND subjective information. How many lives have been saved because a physician relied on more than a single statistic or number?
In this instance, the Dodgers were probably hoping that the manager would relieve this pitcher that was shutting them down; they had no answer for him.
In organizations, the leader has to find ways to connect with members of the team at the same time she is trying to win. Every organization has a culture. In baseball, it is NOT common practice to see a pitcher who is dominating, and not in trouble on a pitch count to be relieved. Players have their own views of fairness. We do not know how well the Rays’ manager communicated and navigated expectations prior to this incident. Even if he did, was the message understood and accepted? My guess is that even if the Rays would have held their lead and won the game, management still would have damaged the professional bond with pitcher Blake Snell and his teammates.
Yes, its only Sports, but, it would have been nice to at least see more of a conversation on the mound between manager and pitcher; and ultimately giving him the opportunity to continue the fight.