It's early — very early — in Dan Jennings' major league managerial career, but he already is becoming well-acquainted with what Pirates manager Clint Hurdle meant with a congratulatory text upon the Marlins skipper's hiring: “Welcome to the club of first-guessing.”
What Jennings, who moved from GM to manager without any on-field training, might not have expected is that, one week into the job, some of the questions about his in-game decision-making are coming from fellow managers, the Miami Herald reported.
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On Sunday, after his moves with the Marlins bullpen figured prominently in a victory over the Orioles, opposing manager Buck Showalter sounded unimpressed: “They used, what, three guys three days in a row out of the bullpen to get it done? We’ll see how that works down the road.”
Last week, first-year Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale pointed to what Jennings called "the gut feeling" to allow left-hander Mike Dunn face right-handed pinch hitter A.J. Pollock, whose two-run home run proved the difference in the outcome.
"We were watching the 'pen real carefully and there was no righty up at the time," Hale said. "That was the only way I was going to use (Pollock to pinch-hit for left-handed hitter David Peralta). If there had been a righty up, I probably wouldn't have done it."
So, would a typical manager — someone groomed for the role — be treated similarly?
Jennings said he doesn’t interpret the comments as slights based on his lack of a coaching background: “I think it would probably be the same for any new manager. New managers are going to be tested until they show or develop their style.”
But Hale, appearing on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio with former GM Jim Bowden (via Hardball Talk), all but acknowledged Jennings' GM-to-manager move without any appreciable on-field experience could be at the heart of the matter:
Bowden: “What were your thoughts when Dan Jennings went from GM, with no coaching/managing experience, to manage the Marlins? What were your thoughts?”
Chip Hale: “I think it’s frustrating in a way for guys who’ve done it. I’ve said this before, when you finish playing or get into Major League Baseball on the minor league level you say, ‘OK, what do I want to do? OK, I want to manage in the big leagues. What do I have to do? I’m going to go back, I’m going to bust my hump coaching and teaching and become the best manager at the minor league level that I can, then get to the big leagues, do your job coaching and hope to get an opportunity to do this. It’s not looking like that track is going to be the way to go anymore."
Hale did, however, say the Marlins' situation was unique — aimed at “lighting a fire” beneath an underachieving team — and that a more real trend in managing is not GMs moving to the bench but rather hiring inexperienced former major leaguers, especially catchers such as Brad Ausmus or Mike Matheny.