Fansided

‘What was he thinking?’: 5 worst manager decisions in postseason history

By Dave Stevenson

Aug 24, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Mandatory Credit: Jon Soohoo/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Jon Soohoo/Getty Images /

2. Dusty Baker leaves in Mark Prior way too long

Dusty Baker is famous for mishandling starting pitchers, especially while with the Chicago Cubs. But his worst decision in the MLB playoffs came in 2003. It came in Game 6 of the NLCS with the Cubs holding a 3-2 series lead over the Florida Marlins.

The Cubs entered the eighth inning with a 3-0 lead over the Marlins. Many people believe Steve Bartman cost the Cubs by taking away a potential out from Moises Alou, but the score was still 3-0 at the time. Baker left in Prior way too long. He probably should have had a pitcher warming up in the bullpen, ready to take over at a moment’s notice. But instead, Prior got removed only after Derrek Lee’s game-tying double. It was too late, as the Marlins rallied to score five more runs and win Game 6. They won Game 7 the following evening.

Bartman shouldn’t be blamed for the meltdown. Sure, he probably took an out from Alou. But the Cubs couldn’t keep their composure after it. The Cubs didn’t even record another out until five batters later, when Jeff Conine gave the Marlins a 4-3 lead with a sacrifice fly. Blame Baker for not pulling Prior and for not calming his team down immediately following the Bartman incident.

Home/MLB Postseason