The selection of Ken Macha as the next manager of the Brewers hardly comes as a surprise. He was apparently offered the job in 2002, has a track record of regular season success, and was the best of the three candidates (among Randolph and Brenly) remaining. So what does this mean? Not much.
There's a joke to be made that this is really Macha's first managerial job since his time in Oakland was being a mere puppet of Billy Beane and the Moneyball theory. For my own sake, I am hoping that some of that wisdom will continue as he heads up the Brewers … and I will kick the nearest dog if I see a regular hitter bunt a player from second to third. Again, I think a manager has slim bearings on the outcome of the game.
Looking through Macha's Oakland past, the stats tell a little of what's to come (if it was him pulling the trigger). Oakland featured near the fewest stolen bases and attempts in the majors (SB major league ranking: 2003 29th, 2004 28th, 2005 30th, 2006 23rd), so that points to less aggression on the basepaths (that means you, Corey Hart). Oakland also ranked in the top 10 of each of Macha's seasons in walks, though I do not expect the Brewers to be suddenly taking those pitches because that was part of the Beane valuation method. The A's also ranked between 27th and 30th in the league in sacrifice hits, another stat I am interested in seeing implemented (with the pitcher batting, I can see this less as a concern). On the pitching side, I am most interested in the theory that managers use the best pitcher available in the highest leverage situations.
So, I am anxious to see if these clues to Macha's past have some bearing on his tenure with the Brewers. I think the casual fans will see how well his teams performed in Oakland and have unreasonable expectations, but I think having an adult* manning the ship will help this team.
(* = not positive that Macha is an adult)
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